Well-wishers, invited quests, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Aliu-Otokiti family and the Ogbese community. Welcome you all to the celebration of life of our beloved departed mother, Queen Mama Eniyemamwen Aliu-Otokiti.

 My name is John Idehen. I hailed from Ogbese town in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State of Nigeria, so was our mom, Queen Mama Eniyemamwen Aliu-Otokiti.

I know that the death of any parent is a painful experience that we all must face at some point in our lives. Yes, there is a time for wake keeping, and a time for funeral service, a time to weep, and a time to mourn, a time to laugh and a time to dance. Tonight is the night we celebrate our Mom's life with song of praise, music, dance, laughter and joy.

Our Mom, Eniyemamwen passed away at the prideful age of 90 after a brief illness on the 9th of May, 2015 at the Florida Hospital in Orlando, Florida. Even though we know and accept that she is gone, it's still hard to say goodbye because we wish that we spent more time together.

Our Mom, Eniyemamwen was survived by six children and 22 grandchildren, five of the children are here in the United States of America: Patrick, Charles, Wilfred, Stanley and Adijatu and our sister Florence Imasuen who resides in Nigeria.

Our Mom was a devoted woman of faith with acute love of God and her family. Caring for her family was paramount and she taught us unity and love for each other. She repeatedly embedded in us to not let adversities and distractions keep us from the most important things in life: family, and the love of God.

Our Mom further believe that many of us get distracted by insignificant things in life, by dueling and focusing on little problems, and forgetting that which is most important, the love of God and family.

Some of us are blessed with so much but forget to be thankful to God. Our mother left us with wonderful legacy of love and perseverance. Our Mom always insisted that we keep focused on what is trully important, not only when life is honey, sweet and easy, but when it is difficult too.

From beyond, I, Eniyemamwen offer the following 

"To Those I Love and to Those Who Love Me"
My Children, now that I am gone
Please release me and let me go
I have so many things and places to see and do.
Patrick, Florence, Charles, Fred, Stanley and Adijatu
You must not tie yourself to me with tears;
Be happy we had so many years together,
I gave you my unwavering love,
In return, one can imagine,
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love, you shown me;
But now my children, it's time I travel alone.
So grieve a while for me, If grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I will not be far away, for life goes on.
So Patrick, Florence, Charles, Fred, Stanley and Adijatu,
If you ever, ever need me,
Call on me and I will answer,
Surround and shield you, as a hovering guarding angel.
And if you listen carefully with your heart,
And not with your ear,
You will hear all my love around you, softly and clearly.
And my children, when you must come this way, later in years
I will be waiting for you, seated on the high table with our Lord,
greet you with warmth and a smile, and simply says " Welcome Home" 

We'll close today with Psalm 23 ' the Lord is my Shepherd'
But before we do, on behalf of the Otokiti, my family and I, I'd like to thank you all for coming here today. May God continue to empower and enable you all. Amen

Please rise and recite with me:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me lie down, in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the path of righetousness, for his name's sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me
Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies
Thou anointest my hear with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and ever. Amen

Thank you