The Catholic Bishop of Uromi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Donatus Ogun has described Peter Ikpeloa Ehah as a data bank of excellence and a man who dedicated himself to live for others and the work of God both within and outside the Church.
Bishop Ogun stated this last Saturday, 29 March during the funeral Mass in honour of Sir Peter Erah also known as a Knight of Saint Masses.
Bishop Ogun who was represented by the Vicar General of Uromi Catholic Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Omolumen, noted that Erah knew Christ while he was alive and urged members of the congregation to realise that death is not the end of life but a transition to life ever lasting for those who lived well and obeyed God’s commandments while alive.
While harping on the brevity of human life on earth, Bishop Ogun urged the faithful to prepare themselves because death is a certainty irrespective of one’s status in life. He noted that a vacuum has been created in his family and assured the Erah family members that God will fill the vacuum created by the death of their husband and father.
“Sir peter Erah didn’t have time for himself alone, but had time for others. He knew what he was living for.
While on earth he knew Christ, he received the sacraments, attended Masses, he prayed for people and we have to pray for him now that he can no longer pray for himself.
A vacuum has been created in his family but am assuring you that God will fill that vacuum”.
In a tribute, widow of Peter Erah, Mrs. Patricia Erah asked several rhetorical questions, wondering if his demise was the surprise he promised her on her departure from home that faithful morning of Saturday, 9 March.
“We laboured together, day and night. Now where have you gone? What did you tell me?what did we discuss? You asked me when I would return for my surprise? Is this the surprise?”
In his tribute, the only son, Dr. Erah pointed out that the demise of his father whom he described as ‘a million father’ has bequeathed him several responsibilities that demand him to be strong.
“The mammoth crowds that have visited following your sudden demise keep re-echoing words, ‘It is the will of God’, ‘God knows best’, ‘Be strong for your sisters and your mother’, but in truth it is the hardest task bequeathed on my shoulders to see to these realities, as I too am torn -up within; yet expected to carry a strong face as ‘man of the the house’. I’m hurting, yet cannot cry publicly; I bleed yet have to adjust for everyone’s sake, a burden of being first and only son”.
Peter Ikpeloa Erah, alias Petaky was a scion of the Obhoiyi Royal family of Uromi in present day Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Born on 20th April, 1956, Peter Erah attended the famous Announciation Catholic College Irrua between 1973 and 1977 after his primary education at Egbele Primary School, Uromi.
He gained admission to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan, but couldn’t go ahead because of some socioeconomic constraints. Undeterred by the set back, he enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Anwai, Asaba where he obtained OND and HND in Agriculture.
A born leader who also worked hard to attain leadership wherever he found himself in his eventful life, Erah was made the Senior Prefect of his 1977 set at ACC and was elected the president of Students Union Government (SUG) at the College of Agriculture, Asaba.
On graduation from Asaba, Erah had a brief stint with the Bendel State Ministry of Agriculture, after which he ventured into the challenging world of business.
Settling at Ekpoma, he established Petaky Industries Ltd. at Ekpoma, a factory that was manufacturing vegetable oil and animal feeds.
When the manufacturing climate in the country became hostile, leading to the closure of several factories due to low capacity utilisation, he went into contracting and poultry farming.
A perfect organiser of men and a socialite extraordinaire, Erah was an active member of the Announcistion Catholic College, Irrua Old Boys Association (ACCIOBA), a parishioner at Mary The Queen Catholic Church, Ekpoma.
A family man, loving husband and caring father, Peter Ikpeloa Erah is survived by his widow, Mrs. Patricia Erah, three children, several adopted children, brothers, sisters and numerous friends.