By Sunday Apah
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed profound grief over the demise of the revered educationist and elder statesman, Chief David Mafuvbe Siakpere, the former Principal of Government College Ughelli (GCU), who passed away on January 18 at the age of 84.
In a solemn condolence message delivered by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori eulogized the late Siakpere as a monumental figure within Delta State’s educational landscape and a devoted Urhobo patriot, whose entire life was consecrated to service, discipline, and the shaping of successive generations of leaders.
The Governor extended his heartfelt sympathies to the Egbo-Uhurie Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, the bereaved Siakpere family, the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association, and the Urhobo nation at large, acknowledging the profound and irreplaceable nature of their loss.
Governor Oborevwori emphasized that Chief Siakpere’s tenure at the helm of Government College Ughelli is universally commemorated as a golden epoch, distinguished by unparalleled academic rigor, unwavering discipline, moral fortitude, and the cultivation of exceptional alumni who have attained distinction in myriad fields globally.
The Governor articulated that the departed icon was far more than an administrator; he was a visionary mentor, a principled disciplinarian, and a nation-builder whose impact resonated far beyond the school’s walls. He noted that Siakpere embodied a generation of school principals who prioritized character formation with the same fervor as intellectual development, a creed that cemented GCU’s enduring status as a premier secondary institution in Nigeria.
“Chief David Mafuvbe Siakpere was, in every respect, a legend. His life’s work has left an indelible legacy upon the educational fabric of Delta State and upon the countless students who graduated under his steadfast guidance at Government College Ughelli,” Governor Oborevwori declared.
The Governor further highlighted that beyond his pedagogical achievements, the late Siakpere commanded immense respect as a community leader and elder statesman, whose wisdom, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the Urhobo cause earned him universal esteem.
Governor Oborevwori concluded with prayers for the peaceful repose of the departed soul and for divine solace and fortitude for his family, the Egbo-Uhurie Community, and all who mourn his passing. He affirmed that Siakpere’s enduring legacy of excellence, discipline, and service would continue to inspire generations to come.
