By Wealth Oghenemaro
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ewherido, described the late community elder and businessman, Joseph Taiga Zeze, as “a formidable human being” whose life remains a standard of integrity, generosity, and devotion to community.
Bishop made the remarks at the 30th memorial of the late patriarch, held in Okpare Town, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Sunday.
Speaking at the graveside blessing ceremony, Bishop Ewherido said, “If you read his biography, you will find out that he was a very formidable human being. He lived a very good life and, by the standards of the time, was definitely a remarkable person. For the Church, he was very important. The family gave the land that we used for the first church. Now, the children are following in his footsteps—building a new church, a new rectory, and doing their best to influence the life of the community. They are good people—wonderfully transparent in their giving, and they are philanthropists. I pray to God to bless them.”
The ceremony, which drew dignitaries, clergy, community leaders, and extended family from across Nigeria, became both a remembrance and a reaffirmation of values.
For Olorogun Moses Taiga, son of the late Joseph Taiga, the day was not only about memory but meaning.
In a heartfelt tribute at the family compound, he spoke of his father’s enduring influence, describing him as a leader without walls and a man whose example still speaks decades on.
“Papa never fenced himself off from the people,” he said. “He didn’t need to. His strength came from his openness. He was always accessible, listening, advising, helping—without waiting to be asked.”
He shared stories of how his father informally safeguarded the savings of local youths before the advent of formal banking, emphasizing the depth of trust the community had in him. “They handed over their life’s worth to him without hesitation. That kind of trust isn’t commanded by wealth, it’s commanded by reputation.”
Reflecting on his father’s career with the Royal Niger Company and later UACN, Olorogun Taiga described a man of vision and resolve. “Papa didn’t just work for them, he negotiated terms with them. At a time when others were afraid to ask, he insisted on retaining his independent trade and they agreed. That tells you the kind of mind he had.”
As the family continues to honour the legacy of Joseph Taiga Zeze, Olorogun Moses Taiga left guests with a lasting lesson from his father’s life: “Power fades. Titles pass. But when you lead with truth, the impact remains.”
