Unuevbo TV
Edo Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa Buries Mother, Madam Esther Idahosa, Amid Massive Turnout of Dignitaries in Benin City
Madam Esther Imaguomwanruo Idahosa, mother of Edo Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, was laid to rest in a carnival-like ceremony that drew dignitaries from across the country.
Benin City came to a standstill over the weekend as Madam Esther Imaguomwanruo Idahosa, mother of Edo State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, was laid to rest in a funeral ceremony that turned into a mammoth gathering of political heavyweights, traditional rulers, and community leaders. The 95-year-old matriarch, who passed away in April, was celebrated in a carnival-like service that brought vehicular movement to a crawl along Airport Road and adjoining routes, as mourners from across Edo State and beyond flooded the venue to pay their last respects.
Among the dignitaries present were former Edo State Governor and current Senator Adams Oshiomhole, while Governor Monday Okpebholo was represented by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku. The Forum of Deputy Governors of Nigeria sent a high-powered delegation that included the Deputy Governors of Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states, underlining the respect the Idahosa family commands within the nation's political class. Traditional rulers, clergy, and community women's groups added colour and solemnity to the event, which blended Christian rites with Edo cultural displays.
A Son's Emotional Tribute
The most moving moment of the day came when Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa rose to deliver a tribute that silenced the packed hall. With tears welling, he recalled how his mother, widowed in 1986, single-handedly raised six children in an era when survival required extraordinary sacrifice. "You did not break, you did not run, but stood and became father and mother in one body," Idahosa said, his voice cracking. "You sold what you had, you farmed, you prayed, and you ensured that none of us went to bed hungry. Today, I am Deputy Governor because a strong woman refused to let her circumstances define her children's destiny." The tribute was met with a resounding ovation and tears from many in the congregation, including siblings and grandchildren who surrounded the casket.
Madam Esther Idahosa's legacy as a community pillar and devout Christian was woven through every testimony. Family sources describe her as a woman who, despite limited formal education, ensured all her children attended school and built a reputation as a peacemaker in her Uzebba-Iuleha community. Her burial marks the end of an era for the Idahosa family, but the massive outpouring of love and the gridlock it caused across Benin City were testament to a life that had touched many. The deputy governor expressed gratitude to all who attended, saying, "My mother lived a full life, and today she rests in peace. We will carry her lessons forward."
Stay tuned to Unuevbo TV for more community news and events shaping the cultural and political landscape of Benin City.
© 2026 Unuevbo TV – All rights reserved. Republication only with permission.