Family Of Late Delta Former Commissioner, Mary Iyasere, Mark Her Remembrance, Proposes Foundation In Her Memory

By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye

Husband, children and family members of Delta State former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, and Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, Chief Barr. (Mrs) Mary Awhotu Iyasere on Thursday, held a memorial thanksgiving mass in her honour at the St. John Catholic Church, Oghara-Agbarha in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The late Barr. Mary Iyasere, a lawyer, an entrepreneur and renowned politician died a year ago.

Delivering a sermon during the Mass which attracted friends, former colleagues of the deceased, family members, Church members and well wishers of the family, Rev. Fr. Ambrose Kevwe Unuovwojohwofia CSsR, admonished all to live a life worthy of emulation. He noted that though a year has past since her demise, but her memories lingers and can never be forgotten.

He said the gathering was not to mourn late Mary Iyasere, but to celebrate her legacies, adding that death reveals two major aspect of life in every human being. One he stated, is to know whether the person was good and second, whether the person was bad. 

Fr. Ambrose further described the former PDP woman leader in the state as a good woman who always depend on God. “She was a good woman who has empowered so many hence her voice is still resonating amongst people. 

On his part, eldest child of the Late Barr. Mary Iyasere, Tega Iyasere thanked all who have come to remembered their late mother and promised to immortalised her by upholding to her legacies. He said, ” While alive, her goal was to help the less privileged amongst us. That was the only thing that gave her joy and put smile on her face, so we have decided to immortalized her by setting a foundation were youths will be trained on different skills and empowered”.

 
While thanking all who stood by him and his family in the time of grief, the husband of the deceased, Dr. J. Richard Iyasere appreciated the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and all government functionaries for their support and love. He noted that her late wife was an amazon and a pacesetter that will forever remained in his memory.

He stated that no woman can occupy the space she left in her life. 

On the foundation set up in her memory, Dr. Iyasere said, it is to fulfill her wish, as helping and empowering the less privileged, the indigent and average people in the society was  her source of joy while alive. 

He maintained that giving and training of students was part of her late wife and promised that such legacies will not be left to die. “We built this place to train and empower people from across board and by the grace of God we will train and empower all of them.” 

He disclosed that by next year 2023, the foundation will be filled with trainees on different skills, adding that until his wife demise, both of them has trained over 52 graduates among them doctors, lawyers, engineers and others. He urged all other well meaning individuals to invest on humanity and support the society.