The funeral service of an octogenarian Etieka Peninnah Ebong Abak from Nkek Abak in Akwa Ibom State expected to be solemn was turned to a carnival of dances and songs rendition.
Women of different ilk at the Methodist Church Nigeria in the serene Nkek Abak Circuit, Diocesan Headquarters, venue of the service, uniquely engaged one another in body roll dancing steps.
The women went up, removed the casket from the stand and roamed into the crowd, singing and dancing to the melodious tunes of the hired band set.
They jacked up the coffin with the remains of the 82-year-old, carried it high, dropped on the field and lifted up while an array of others swirled around the coffin to catch a glimpse of it.
Clad in different attires, the women at the venue- choristers, ministers, members of socio-cultural groups and other professional bodies- later joined by men, electrified the venue and jerked out mournful mood from the arena.
The women dancers athletically encircled the VIPs stand, moved eclectically to the front and, like lightning speed, surged to the church ministers’ stand and genuflected with flashing shots from photographers and telephone owners brimming the scene.
Like a soliloquy, they unconsciously intoned ‘‘Herein lies in this coffin, etieka (good mother). Here, we are celebrating her departure to the world unknown. Here, we thank God for her life and time on this earthly plane. She came, married, bore and joined in training his children. In the tray are Professor, surveyor, accountant, among others.’’
The cloudy sky gave way to burning sun rays welding balls of sweats on the faces of the dutiful dancers.
Even the tinkling of bell from the make-shift pulpit did not easily put a hem on the hilarious gyrations that greeted the ecstatic atmosphere.
After the dancing and singing simmered down, pall bearers poked out and carted the coffin to the designated stand waiting for final home journey and interment in the compound of the deceased husband.
One of the grand children, in a somber tone, read biography of the deceased and another, appreciation.
Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Effiong Esedeke showed himself as a man of discipline and a no-nonsense preacher to the delight of many at the service.
While Esedeke was preaching, the State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Elder Aniekan Akpan landed and briskly walked in with a coterie of aides and political associates.
Akpan walked to the stand occupied by members of the deceased family. After exchanging pleasantries with some members at the stand, he wanted to pose.
Suddenly, photographers who smelt business binge strolled to take some shots, but the Bishop of Nkek Abak Diocese cautioned them against the posing as the sermon was ongoing.
He warned the photographers to stop taking any shot, an action that might have displeased the PDP boss and his people to have left the venue shortly.
The clergymen was uncomfortable with the harsh living conditions facing many Nigerians and called on the congregation to pray God to build and renew the country.
Eventually, the service came to a close and the pall bearers escorted by a live band took the casket for earth-to-earth. The ministers were handy, collected the coffin and lowered to the lonely grave. The choir sang, the ministers prayed and covered the grave. Behold, the chapter of the octogenarian was closed on this planet.
