Soyinka relives Dele Giwa’s assassination… as Madam Giwa is buried

By Gabriel Enogholase

MADAM Elekhia Giwa, mother of the late Founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, Mr. Dele Giwa, was, Saturday, buried beside her son at Ugbekpe, Ekperi, in Etsako Central local government area of Edo State.

The burial was attended by Dele Giwa’s associates among whom were Mr. Ray Ekpu, Mr, Yakubu Muhammed, Mr. Dan Agbese, Mr. Nosa Igiebor, Mr. Soji Akinrinade, Mr. Kayode Soyinka and Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi.  Funmi, Dele-Giwa’s widow, was also there.

Speaking at a funeral service at the Church of God Mission, Ugbekpe, Ekperi,  which preceded the burial, the officiating Priest, Rev. Abraham Ikpotokin, extolled the virtues of Madam Giwa who  passed away at the age of 87.

Ikpotokin said: “Whatever you sow, you will reap; our mother  lived a good life”.

Madam Giwa’s children yesterday at the burial.

Speaking to journalists, Mr. Kayode Soyinka, who was the London Bureau Chief of Newswatch, and  was with Dele Giwa  when he was killed through a parcel bomb on October 19, 1986, said it was an honour for him to be at Dele Giwa’s mother’s burial because of his closeness to the late founding Editor-in-Chief of  Newswatch magazine.

“When I heard of the date of the burial, I made it a point of duty to come to Ekperi”, said Soyinka who was having breakfast with Dele Giwa when the killer parcel was delivered to him.

Relieving his experience on that fateful day, he said the only difference between him and his former boss was that Dele Giwa died while  he (Soyinka) survived.

Extolling the qualities of the late Newswatch chief, he said Dele Giwa’s  legacies cannot be erased, adding that he had been  steadfast and consistent to get those who killed his former boss punished.

From left; Mrs. Funmi Giwa, Dele’s Giwa’s widow; Mr. Soji Akinrinade, Mr Ray Ekpo  and others at  Madam Giwa’s burial at Ugbekpe, Ekperi, in Etsako LGA,  Edo State, yesterday. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike

According to him, those who killed the Newswatch founding Editor-in-Chief are still alive and walking the streets free.

Also speaking to journalists, the daughter of the late Madam Elekhia Giwa, Mrs. Ronke Abaoba, said she was very close to the mother, explaining that the mother lived and died in her house.