MAMA AND HER CHILDREN
By Awsome Ekene
An Abuja based Evangelist, Uchenna Okafor has lent his voice on the call on Nigerians, particularly people of the South East to celebrate their parents while alive not when they were dead.
He said those who claimed they were according their dead parents befitting burial were only celebrating themselves and not the dead.
Okafor spoke in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State during the 80-year old birthday celebration of his mother, Mummy Juliana Okafor.
He said the decision to celebrate the mother at 80 was informed by God’s faithfulness upon her life, including drawing her to Himself and sustaining her faith up till now.
According to the Evangelist, who is the first son and second child of seven children, the burial of the celebrant would likely not be elaborate.
He said: “We made a prayer to God when she was 70 plus to keep her alive and provide the resources so we can celebrate her while alive.
“The primary reason we’re celebrating her is that of her faith. She surrendered her life to Christ in 2001. Through her doggedness, she brought all of her children into the fold.
“My mother is so important to us. Infact, she’s the rallying point for the entire family. She took advantage of our love for her to draw us to Christ.
“None of us wanted to bring shame to her. Personally, I gave my life to Christ because I was avoiding to make her unhappy. In the process of hiding some of the things I was doing from her, I dropped them completely.”
Reacting on the secret behind such elaborate birthday celebration amidst prevailing economic hardship, Okafor attributed the feat to a 3-year intensive prayers and planning.
His words: “We started planning and saving for this celebration three years ago. As we were praying, we were planning, keeping things aside.
“Her burial will not be as elaborate as this, I can bet you on that. The only thing we’ll do is to organize a crusade just as we did to mark this her birthday. We organized a 2-day outreach where sound messages were delivered and people surrendered their lives to Christ.
“Whenever God calls her home, what we’ll spend money on is evangelism and crusade. What we’re doing today may not happen.
“We encourage people, especially the Ndigbo to spend money to honor, respect and celebrate their parents while alive, not when they die.
“Infact, what our people do today is celebrating themselves, claiming they are burying the dead. They’re simply trying to please their friends and well wishers.
“As you can see, the celebrant is enjoying herself, seeing her children, family members and friends, especially those she’s been on the heavenly race with in SU and EFAC.
“This celebration is not for anyone of us, but for her. She’s the centre of attraction. But when you’re burying the dead, people come to you that’s organizing the burial.
“My prayer is that she’ll live up to 100years or more so we’ll continue to celebrate her. It will surprise you that she still preaches the gospel. She has a megaphone. I wish her more strength to continue in leading men to Christ.”
Responding, the visibly excited celebrant thanked her children for the decision to honour and celebrate her while alive, praying for God’s ceaseless blessings upon their lives, including long life and prosperity.
She also appreciated friends, relatives and well wishers who graced the occasion despite tight schedules, praying that God would meet them at the points of their needs.
