BY CAMI EZENWA
Nothing really could compare with life as given by the Almighty, but when one lives it purposefully as ordained by God, there is always a consolation upon exit.
Perhaps, that is the major lesson, in the passage to glory recently, of dutiful wife, amiable mother, grand mother and exemplary philanthropist in the household of faith, Mrs Mrs Omolara Olutoyin Omojuyigbe.
Wife of the erudite journalist, journalism teacher, incisive commentator on public issues and Deputy Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Dr Dele Omojuyigbe; she just went to be with the lord leaving behind, a trail of positive epithets.
These flowed freely at both the service of songs in her honour at Ijedodo, a Lagos outskirt, and by her grave side at intermen.
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It was on the lips of the elderly as much as it resonated in the testimonies of the young. Colleagues in the office were in mourning, so were neighbours at home as well as co-labourers in the Lord’s vineyard, her immediate past service point being the New Life in Christ Bible Church Mission, in Agaye, Ijedodo Lagos.
The session anchor had just asked for just three willing persons to testify to the life of impact of the departed, only for more than a handful to show up, such that he had to place a ceiling afterwards.
It was truly a solemn segment, with tearful outbursts constantly interjecting the testimonies.
Nonetheless, they were the kinds of testimonies that would almost lure the living to the desire for death.
She was described as free-minded and ever forgiving, pillar of support, a role model, kind and wonderful to a fault, and a woman who would always respond to a need in the church, her personal circumstances notwithstanding.
In fact, a delegation of the Ijedodo Junior Grammar School where she had taught stormed the service of songs, and rendered special numbers, just like the Good Women Choir did.
An impressive delegation from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, had arrived early for the programme, in an understandable show of solidarity with their Deputy Provost, Dr Omojuyigbe, who, throughout the service however, said so much while, remaining eternally mute.
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His sense of loss could only be imagined, given, as testified by a close sympathiser, how very dearly, Late Madam Olutoyin, had loved her husband, and had dotted over him, providing the needed shoulder at the very critical moments of life.
Bible readings were taken by Mrs Funlola Kolawole (from John 11:25-26); the deceased’s son, Lekan Omojuyigbe (Revelations 20:11-15) and Mrs Mobolaji Adepegba (John 14:1-3).
In his sermon, Rev (Dr) Wale Olutona, admonished those present not to be afraid of death but to rather be friendly with the person with power over death, Jesus.
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He described death as only a ladder to a desirable place for as many as have lived true to the Master’s expectation.
Referring to II Tim 4:7, where Apostle Paul was declaring that he had fought a good fight..the minister said, nothing on earth would even make the departed take a turn back: “I know her last words because I was with her in the last moment of her departure” intoned the preacher,: “She was just saying ‘Amen, in Jesus’ name”, he informed, adding that the late Mrs Omojuyigbe was full of smiles even at that time that those by her bedside were engrossed in intercession for her not to leave.
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“Toyin will not want to return now, because she has seen the glory”, the man of God declared, while admonishing the congregation to also befriend the man with power over death, so that their other side would be joyous
A well detailed programme of event.
What a loss! But in everything, give thanks to God. He knows the best.
May God continue to grant her eternal rest and comfort our erudite scholar Dr Omojuyigbe and family she left behind.