Pastor Nicolas Chukuma Oboli of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Issele-Mkpitime has called for hope in the midst of grief.
The Cleric gave the call during the service of songs of Late Mrs Georgina Okoh at her residence in Idumu-ozoma Quarters in Issele-Mkpitime, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Addressing a congregation gathered to mourn the passing of a woman he described as a “kind, jovial, and simple woman,” Pastor Oboli emphasized that death, regardless of age, must be accepted as an inevitable “reality” for everyone.
“Mortality is Clear that we must know as reality that everyone must come to that stage,” the Pastor stated.
He referenced the biblical account of Jesus preparing his disciples for his departure, explaining that Jesus’s promise to them, “where I’m going to you cannot come now but you will definitely come when the right time came”, was a model for accepting the transition of life.
Pastor Oboli directly challenged the despair often seen at funerals, “When something happens you see people weeping as though there is no hope”.
He countered this by quoting Ecclesiastes chapter 9 and verse 4, “the living dog has hope than the dead lion”.
He affirmed that the role of the ministry is to ensure the bereaved understand they have hope beyond earthly life.
In a subsequent interview, Pastor Oboli shared his personal connection and fond memories of Mama, who was both an in-law (as one of his brothers married one of her grandchildren) and a devoted member of the church he pastors.
While Pastor Oboli noted that he had known her well since childhood.
“She was a kind woman,” he recalled. “They called her Mama Africa, she’s a simple, kind and jovial woman, adding that the beloved matriarch expressed immense love, particularly towards children. “When you meet him, she loves so much. She plays with children,” he said, reminiscing about visiting her home as a child to speak with her.
Pastor Oboli concluded his tribute with a prayer for the deceased, “Mama is a good woman to the best of my knowledge and I believe God will show her mercy and accept her”.
