By Lucky Isibor
A cleric, Rev. Innocent Nwaeku, has urged Christians to live righteous lives and consciously prepare for eternity, stressing that death is not the end of existence but a passage to eternal life.
Rev. Nwaeku spoke during the Service of Songs held in Benin City on Thursday, May 7, in honour of Deaconess Christiana Ikpitemuan Adodo, ahead of her burial.
Delivering a sermon centred on eternity and Christian living, the cleric said every individual has the responsibility of choosing where to spend eternity through the kind of life lived on earth.
“Death is a means, never an end,” he said. “The other side has two rooms — one in heaven and one in hellfire. It is on earth that we choose where we will spend our eternity.”
Drawing from the biblical account of Jesus’ interaction with Martha and Mary after the death of Lazarus, Rev. Nwaeku encouraged mourners not to despair over death, noting that believers in Christ would rise again.
He stressed that both heaven and hell are real, adding that neither God nor Satan compels anyone to make a choice regarding eternity.
“God will not force anyone to come to heaven and Satan will never force anyone to go to hellfire. We have the power to choose while we are alive,” he stated.
The cleric urged Christians to emulate the virtues of the deceased by living upright and God-fearing lives.
“Do you want to go to heaven? Live like mama lived. Live as a true Christian, pleasing God in all things,” he admonished.
In an emotional tribute, the deceased’s first son, Dennis Adodo (Esq), described his mother as a pillar of strength, protector and confidant whose death had created a huge vacuum in his life.
“You were my covering, my shelter, my canopy, my shield, my protector and mentor. Now you are gone, leaving me in loneliness and emotional trauma,” he lamented.
Recalling her deep affection for his children, Adodo said all his children were born in their grandmother’s house and enjoyed her constant care and protection.
He also extolled her virtues of humility, patience, compassion and integrity, describing her as a peaceful woman with an enduring spirit and remarkable human relations.
“No doubt your demise has left a vacuum in my heart, but I will fill it with memories of joy, laughter and friendship that we shared together,” he said, praying that she rests peacefully with the Lord.
Also speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, described the deceased as a woman who lived a worthy and exemplary life.
Abure, who said he had known the family for over 40 years, noted that the late Mrs. Adodo’s life was worthy of emulation.
“She has played her part. Her life will be a lesson for all of us to learn,” he said, urging family members and associates to uphold the legacies she left behind.
The remains of Deaconess Christiana Adodo was taken to her home town, Ihunmudumu, Ekpoma on Friday, 8 May for interment.
A social outing was held in her honour at her Ihunmudumu, Ekpoma residence on Saturday, 9 May; where all family members, friends and associates were entertained.
Deaconess Christiana Ikpitemuan Adodo was born in 1936 at Idimogo, Ibhi – Oniha Quarters, Amede, Egoro in present day Esan West Local Governmont Area of Edo State.
Members of the Western Boys High School Old Boys Association (WOBA Class 80) and members of the Assemblies of God Church, Artillery Branch, Benin City were visibly present in all the burial activities.