The Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, Prof. Peter Agbor Tabi buried his mother on September 27, 2014, in Mamfe in the presence of family members, Government officials and sympathisers.

Prof. Agbor Tabi told mourners and sympathisers, especially those whose mothers are still alive, to hold them in high esteem, because mother is precious gold.

“One cannot make a very interesting statement when a mother dies because it’s really painful, especially when it is the only person you knew. I want to share some experience that I have had. For those of you who still have their mothers; I would like to tell you all that mothers are very important people.

You should take good care of your mothers. I am talking to you who still have their mothers, because very soon you will be like me. It’s a painful experience”.

He enjoined mourners to request the services of beauticians, to see our mothers at least once a week; cut their nails, paint them and all that they can do.

“This will make them live a bit longer. This is because when you are old, people will not like to touch you. So, when these beauticians touch them they may live a little bit longer. You should give them good food and try to convince them to live around you.

But the old Manyu women are very stubborn; they love their houses so much and don’t like to go out to live with their children. If Mama had allowed the opportunity to stay with us, her children even for six months, she might have lived longer. However, even if they refuse to live with us, we should really push them to live with us for some time.

Also, you should always ask for forgiveness from your mother even when you think you have not done anything wrong. Do not wait for them to beg you first. Mothers do not beg their children first. They beg after them,” Prof Agbor Tabi advised.

He thanked all those who came to condole with his family saying their presence has taught the family a lesson that the most important thing to have in this world is people.

“All of you here have convinced us that people are very important. All the money on earth cannot give you the comfort you need in times like this. We are very grateful,” he intimated.

Drawing inspiration from the book of 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, under the theme: “In every circumstance, give thanks,” the preacher called on us to “Rejoice, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances.

This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.” He reiterated the need to carter for and show love to mothers when there is still time to do so because they have sacrificed their lives in giving birth to us and to feed and educate us.

Biography Mama Sarah was born around 1934 on to the Boh Ako family in Ebarinsee, Ossing, Eyumojock, Subdivision. She got married to Samuel Agbor Tabi, an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons in Calabar, Nigeria, at the age of 16. She was blessed with the birth of eight vibrant children.

Though she did not accomplish much, educationally, strangely enough, she had an innate, rustic drive and thirst for education and training which she miraculously demonstrated by the inestimable sacrifices made selling palm wine, rearing fowls to educate her children in some of the finest schools in Cameroon and abroad.

She is described as having had a kind spirit, gentle nature, good sense of humor, selfless and abounding love for the destitute and have-nots.

She is survived by six children, 23 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, daughters-in-law and sons-in law. She also lives a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other siblings and friends to mourn her.