14/06/2025
The Life and Times of Late Engineer Andrew Ekhoeiyayi Ehigiator – A Funeral Tribute
On a calm and reverent morning in Benin City, the sun rose slowly over the skyline, casting a warm light upon Christ Embassy by Power Line, off Etete road, GRA — the venue where family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers gathered to honour the life of a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and public servant: Late Engineer Andrew Ekhoeiyayi Ehigiator, aged 46.
The funeral event began with a Service of Songs at 9:00 a.m. The atmosphere was filled with emotion, yet anchored in thanksgiving. The service opened with soul-stirring praise and worship, lifting hearts even in the midst of sorrow, celebrating a life that had touched so many.
The first and second Bible readings followed. These were not mere formalities, but heartfelt tributes in themselves. His eldest child, Sean, stood tall and brave as he read the first passage — a son honouring his father's memory through sacred words. His daughter, Cressida, followed with poise and grace, offering the second reading, her voice steady with both sorrow and love.
Then came a moment that took us deeper into the man we were there to remember. His beloved sister, Adesuwa Okothi, stepped forward to read his biography — a story of grit, of dreams, and of dedication.
Born on March 19, 1979, in Lagos State, Nigeria, Andrew was a man of many talents and wide vision. He completed his primary education in 1988, and his secondary education by 1993. His thirst for knowledge led him to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in 1994, where he first pursued a diploma in Laboratory Science. But Andrew's heart beat for engineering — a passion he would not abandon. He went on to study Botany, and later followed his true calling to earn a degree in Engineering at the same university.
Andrew was not just a man of academics. He was strong, dogged, cheerful, easygoing, and with a sense of humour that could light up any room. He believed in work that mattered — work that built, mended, and moved lives forward. And so, in 2010, he joined the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Benin City, working as an essential staff member in the Edo field office.
His impact was immediate and immense. He supervised several key infrastructural projects that improved lives and connected communities, including:
The General Maintenance of the Benin-Bypass Dual Carriageway
Special Repairs of the Oluku – Sobe - Ifon road
The General Maintenance of the Benin–Ekpoma–Auchi road, among many others.
Fondly nicknamed "The Lion King" by colleagues and friends for his courage, leadership, and lion-hearted commitment to duty, Andrew was posted to Gombe State in 2018 as a Progress Engineer. There, he served for seven impactful years, ensuring the timely and quality delivery of key infrastructure projects that left a lasting legacy in the region.
Engineer Andrew Ekhoeiyayi Ehigiator, was more than his titles or job descriptions. He was a man of faith, of family, and of deep friendships. He was a loyal member of communities that stretched beyond work — from the Chambers Forum, the White House Club, to the Uniben Alumni Class of 2003, and the Faculty of Engineering, UNIBEN. His spiritual homes at Christ Embassy Gombe and Benin, and House on the Rock Benin City, bore witness to his steadfast walk with God.
As the service drew to a close, a special prayer was offered for his family — for strength, for peace, and for continued grace.
Then, in one final act of solemnity and honour, a funeral procession made its way from the Military Hospital, Airport road, carrying his remains to his final resting place. Tears flowed, but so did gratitude — for a life well-lived, for duty honourably done, and for love richly given.
He is survived by his loving wife, his two precious children, brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunties — all of whom carry his light forward. Tributes poured in from across the nation:
From FERMA, who hailed him as a backbone of progress.
From his clubs and alumni who remembered his brilliance.
From his churches and friends who recalled his humility, warmth, and unwavering spirit.
Engineer Andrew Ekhoeiyayi Ehigiator may have departed this world, but his impact, his legacy, and his memory — will live on, ever bright, ever bold.
