The Chief Justice of the Federation, Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, on Saturday, June 14, led eminent Nigerians to the service of songs for late Mrs. Zeporah Galumje, wife of Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Police Service Commission.
The ceremony was held at the Christian Reformed Church, Nigeria in Apo, Abuja.
Born in 1958, Mrs Galumje died on Wednesday, June 4.
Justice Kekere-Ekun was accompanied by her husband, Prince Akin, and several Justices of the Supreme Court, including Justice Festus Ogbunyia, Helen Ogunwumiju and Stephen Jonah Adah.
The Police Service Commission delegation to the Service of Songs was led by Justice Christy Lara Dabup (rtd), who is Honourable Commissioner and colleague of Justice Galumje in the Commission, the PSC Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said in a statement.
Giving his testimony at the Service, Justice Galumje told the fully packed church audience that he wedded his late wife on the 30th of July, 1977, with a promise to each other that only death could separate them.
He thanked God that they were able to keep to the covenant and only got separated on the 4th of June this year when she was called to higher glory.
Justice Galumje said he tested his wife severally to see if he would incur her anger, but noted that each time, she kept quiet.
He added that her story to all women is to ‘keep quiet whenever your husband is angry.’ “We lived a peaceful life,” he noted.
The retired Supreme Court Justice thanked the congregation for their prayers and encouragement.
Justice Galumje said God has been good to him, stating: “From a remote village in Taraba to where I am now, it can only be God.”
He expressed sincere thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who he said not only called to commiserate with him on the death of his wife but sent the Vice President who visited him at his residence.
Rev. Dr. Mark Ato Yohanna of the Christian Reformed Church gave the exhortation at the Service while Rev Daniel Eska-Uten Yohanna, Chairman of the Church prayed for the family.
The first reading at the Service was presented by Barrister Emocha Paul Galumje, son of the deceased, while the second scripture reading was taken by Emoseh Paul Galumje, her daughter.
The remains of Mrs Zeporah Paul Galumje departs Abuja on Thursday, June 19, for Jalingo, Taraba State, for a wake keep at 2, Justice Paul Galumje Street, Jalingo.
There will be a Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International on Friday, June 20, followed by the deceased’s lying-in-state at her husband’s residence in Jalingo same day.
The body will leave for Didan Village, also in Taraba State, on Saturday June 21, for funeral service and interment.
Other dignitaries who attended the Service of Songs in Abuja included: Senator Emmanuel Bwacha; Elder Obada Ando; Elder Seth Ika’a; Elder Usman Kaigama, Lawal N. Akirikwen; SAN; Lawal Rabana, SAN; D.D Dodo, SAN; Emman Bala and Willy Ashigye.
Others were AIG H. Karma (rtd); Justice Josephine Tuturu; Hon. Sam Ada; Mr. and Mrs. Davies Dada; Hon. Danjuma Shidi and Mr. Kifas Danladi.
