By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has described late Mrs. Bridget Mukoro-Penawei as a rare gem whose worthy legacies should serve as an inspiration to the living.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo stated this on Wednesday at the Service of Songs in honour of Mrs Bridget Mukoro-Penawei with Wife of the Governor, Dr Gloria Diri in attendance at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.

In his tribute, the deputy governor further described the late judicial officer as the biblical salt of the earth and light to the world, who added value to the society through her accomplishments.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo said the 68 year old retired Chief Magistrate was humane, courageous, respectful and prayerful which he noted were virtues that enabled her navigate life’s challenges and contributed largely to her achievements.

According to him, the lessons drawn from an exemplary life such as Mrs Mukoro-Penawei should serve as guiding principles to the living because she exuded tenacity and imbibed the right attitude in her academic pursuits despite her age.

The deputy governor, who stressed that death was a transition every mortal must experience, observed that what mattered most was the impact one makes in life and not how long one lived.

His words: “The takeaway from occasions such as this, is the life she had led. The life of any person is a learning curve for those of us alive and so for her, she fulfilled what Jesus Christ referred to when he said we should be the salt and light of the world.

“We become salt and light of the world when we add value to people who are around us and they have good life as a result of our contributions to society. She exhibited tenacity, courage, commitment, right attitude and prayer.

“You can see that from the beginning of her life she was prayerful, had the right attitude and put one hundred percent effort in all that she did.

” We have lost a rare gem. It’s not how long we live but what counts is the value we add to life . Those who impact life positively remain indelible in the hearts of people.

The state Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, who also eulogised Mrs Mukoro-Penawei, said her death was painful having died at the age of 68, adding that the state had lost a great woman.

According to the Chief Judge,, the deceased worked with her as her first research assistant and was humble, hardworking and possessed an exceptional memory.

Justice Ayemieye urged her children to uphold her legacies by imbibing her qualities of humility, courage and resilience irrespective of their status in life.

She noted that though her death was painful because she died at the of 68 but they take solace in the fact that she lived a beautiful life and had gone to be with the Lord.

“She accomplished a lot during her lifetime. She was a determined woman. You will see from the children that she had produced that she was a woman after success. She made sure that her family succeeded so we have lost a great woman.”

In his tribute, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke, Prof. Charles Adias, said Mrs Omukoro-Penawei life was a shining example of dedication, hardwork and discipline which were reflective of her achievements.

Speaking on behalf of the family and son of the deceased, Mr. Kenneth Penawei, said the demise of their mother had created a huge void in their lives and that she would be greatly missed by all.

Mr. Penawei added that their mother lived a selfless life and upon the demise of their father she became a pillar of support towards ensuring that her children became successful.

Late Mrs Mukoro-Penawei who hailed from Ekeremor local government area of the state, was a retired Chief Magistrate of the Bayelsa State Judiciary where she served meritoriously and is survived by 6 children, including the Chairman, Rural Development Authority, Mrs Deme Pamosoo.