By Victor Bieni

Copyright independent

Marking the second memorial anniversary of her late father, Ayovuata Ogero Richard, Ms. Uyoyou Courage Ayovuata — a renowned gender advocate and founder of the Courageous Girls Women and Children Initiative (CGWCI) paid a heartfelt tribute to a man whose life, she said, embodied unwavering strength, discipline, and integrity. She described him as a pillar of peace, unity, and purpose whose legacy continues to inspire progress and transformation in society. Honouring his profound influence, she offered prayers for his eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord Jesus Christ, declaring his memory a guiding light that will never fade.

Daily Independent learnt this from the Founder and CEO of the CGWCI, Ms. Uyoyou Courage Ayovuata, in a statement released to journalists today, Sunday, September 21, 2025, in Igbide, Isoko South LGA of Delta State. The statement was issued as she and her family mourned and celebrated the second memorial anniversary of their late father, Mr. Ayovuata Ogero Richard.

You may recall that on September 21, 2023, which coincided with the International Day of Peace, Mr. Ayovuata Ogero Richard departed to glory. His passing was marked by a grand celebration of life, as his children paid their final respects to a highly respected senior and retired civil servant. The burial ceremony, held in Igbide, Isoko South LGA, Delta State, was a vibrant, carnival-like event attended by prominent figures from Isoko, Delta State, and across Nigeria. In a heartfelt tribute included in the release, Ms. Uyoyou Courage Ayovuata mourned and celebrated her father’s enduring legacy on earth, expressing profound love and admiration, stating, “There are people whose absence leaves a void so deep, yet whose legacy continues to light the way.”

The tribute by the Founder and CEO of the CGWCI, Ms. Uyoyou Courage Ayovuata, to her late father, Mr. Ayovuata Ogero Richard, reads in part: “It reminds us just how vital their presence truly was, not because of noise or spectacle, but because of the quiet strength they embodied. Two years ago, on September 21st, a day the world reveres as the International Day of Peace, my father, Ayovuata Ogero Richard, took his final bow from this earth. Though his physical presence departed, his spirit, impact, and unwavering values remain with us, ever present, ever guiding. It is no mere coincidence that he passed on a day marked by peace, for peace was what he embodied, what he lived, and what he so powerfully left behind.

“My father’s life was a testament to what is possible when humility meets purpose. He began not from privilege, but from service, starting his career as a humble sanitary inspector. In that simplicity, he carried a fire – ambition grounded in discipline. With relentless determination and fierce integrity, he climbed the ranks of the civil service, becoming the first civil servant from the Igbide community to attain Grade Level 017. That achievement was not just a personal milestone; it was a beacon, a reminder to his people that greatness is not inherited, it is earned. Yet his true greatness was not found in titles or ranks, but in how he chose to live: selflessly, compassionately, and purposefully. He was a rare soul, a deeply compassionate humanitarian who found fulfillment in lightening the burdens of the forgotten. He fed the hungry, comforted widows, and visited prisoners – not to condemn, but to restore dignity. He stood by the weak, the weary, and the voiceless, with a heart as wide as the heavens. In a world growing colder, he remained warm.

“My father’s love for humanity was not passive; it was active and courageous. He became a proud champion of the green energy project of the CGWCI, spearheading sustainable healthcare delivery through solar energy installations in primary health centers. He supported the training of young Nigerians in solar installation and maintenance, investing in a cleaner, brighter, and more self-reliant future. His vision stretched beyond the needs of the present; it was anchored in faith, legacy, and a deep duty to God and humanity. But even more compelling than his acts of kindness was his unyielding stand against injustice and corruption. Ayovuata Ogero Richard was a man of iron principles. He rejected dishonesty not only in speech but in the way he lived.

“My father taught his children, and all who listened, never to take bribes, saying: ‘The moment you accept a bribe, you sell your soul. Integrity may not feed you today, but it will sustain your name for generations.’ These were not mere sayings; they were the foundation of his life , his compass, his code, his covenant.

“To his family, he was everything. A loving father who didn’t just provide, but nurtured. A caring husband, steady and unwavering. A dependable friend – the kind who listened when others turned away and who showed up when no one else did. His presence was a safe harbour in life’s storms. My father led his household not just with affection, but with spiritual grounding. He taught his family the love of Jehovah and instructed us to walk in truth, humility, and righteousness. He raised us to work hard, love deeply, and live in unity with integrity, a legacy that continues to speak through our lives today.

“Today, two years on, the world may have moved forward, but those touched by his life know that something irreplaceable is gone. Yet, even in his absence, he leads still. His values echo louder than ever. His story continues to inspire. His legacy walks among us. On this solemn anniversary – again marked on the International Day of Peace – we do not only remember a man who died. We honour a man who lived with purpose, who gave all he had, who built bridges where others built walls, and who stood for justice even when it cost him. A man who chose peace, not only in his final breath, but in every breath before it. My father was more than a man; he was a compass, a shield, and a foundation. Through my own work and mission, his vision lives on.

“Ayovuata Ogero Richard was not a perfect man, but he was a principled one, a man of honour in a world starving for it. A name that still opens doors, sparks courage, and whispers to the conscience of those he left behind. Rest well, the great General! You ran your race with grace. You fought the good fight with dignity. You kept the faith with strength. And though two years have passed, your legacy has not aged – it lives on, in us, through us, and far beyond us. We will not forget. We will not fail you. Your light burns on!” CGWCI Boss finally stated.