BY MICHAEL J. EKOKORUWE

The final burial rites of the late Odiologbo of Emede, High Chief Paul Oletu Eriri has been slated for Saturday 16th March 2024 at Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to a statement signed by Eloho Eriri, the first son of the business mogul, activities for the day will kick off in the morning with customary rites according to the tradition of Emede people while entertainment of guests will follow by 12noon at the Emede Grammar School Field, Emede.

Other members who endorsed activities for the burial programme are Godspower Aluya for the family and High Prince Dennis Presley Obrogo for the burial committee.

Chief Paul Eriri who passed on in November last year at 78 was the Odiologbo of Emede (second in command to the Ovie) and until his death was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as a renowned community leader in Emede and Isoko land.

The late Chief Eriri a one time United Nations Consultant came to lime light in the 80s and 90s when he floated the Public Finance Group which was a household name in mortgage, microfinance banking and general finance business.

He was a reputed philanthropist who impacted in his immediate and extended environment. He had great passion for education having been a lecturer at the University of Lagos where he taught Banking and Finance.

The Late Chief who held a first class B.Sc degree in Industrial Engineering and a masters in Economics and Management from the prestigious Western Michigan University, USA was so committed to promoting the education of his people that he once denoted books, sandals, and school bags to all students in Isoko land.

Chief Eriri was cited as one of the “50 leading entrepreneurs in Nigeria” by Corporate Press in 1990, and one of the “50 premier movers of Corporate Nigeria” by Vanguard Newspaper in 1991. He was public commentator, writer, philosopher and had maintained two regular columns namely “Economic Analysis” and “Business Education” in the highly rated Business Times Newspaper.

As a politician, Chief Eriri was a sound strategist and effective grassroot mobilizer with an uncanny capacity to dictate the pace. He was at a time the National Financial Secretary of the PDP and also served as a member of the Rural Electrification Agency (RDA).

He is survived by a wife, 15 children, many grand children and relations.