Obazua Orhewere at 70: A Testimony of Grace
Senior Molusian Obazua Orhewere had the rare opportunity to show the world the goodness and grace of God to mankind last Friday 30th September, 2022 as he gracefully clocked 70 glorious, eventful and fulfilling years on earth.
The epoch event, which kick-started with a Thanksgiving Service at Our Saviours Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, saw the celebrant and his lovely wife, Lilian, whom he fondly calls Aya Oba, with their children, resplendently adorned in beautifully embroidered Aso Oke, bedecked in good designs, all arrayed in colour and seated in front of the pews, listening with rapt attention as the day’s homily was delivered.
The preacher, Reverend Bola Osinupebi, representing the Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, the most Rev’d Dr Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye, took the congregation into the scriptures, via Psalm 103 verses 1-2.
Rev’d Osinupebi told the audience that the celebrant, popularly called Obaz, in his 70-year sojourn on earth, enjoyed grace reminiscent of that of Biblical King David. He said Obaz has also killed lions and bears in his journey of life, just like King David.
But the difference is that the lions and bears killed by the celebrant came in form of serious challenges which God helped him to surmount and overcome. Rev’d Osinupebi therefore admonished Christians to imbibe the nature and constitution of the carmel, an animal that is naturally built to carry heavy burdens (as loads) across deserts, under hazardous weather in unpleasant conditions.
He said a carmel can survive with little food and water during long journeys through the desert on top of hot sands, in biting heat.
According to him, such are some of the attributes a Christian must imbibe in order to survive the Christian pilgrimage to heaven, the Promised Land.
Rev’d Osinupebi prayed that the celebrant will always have cause to shout the praises of God in all his remaining years on earth because, as he put it, the “shouting side” is always the “winning side”. He therefore implored Obaz to keep shouting the praises of God his Maker. The clergyman noted that in an age where life expectancy is around 55 years, it is worthy to celebrate 70. He prayed God to open new doors of grace to the celebrant.
Rounding up, the cleric urged Obaz to embrace the values embedded in the Book of Proverbs chapter 3verses5-6 which says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths”.
Reverend Osinupebi summarized his homily with three points which he classified as (1) Fear God (2) Do it right and (3) Total Trust and Reliance on God.
The Grand Reception
After the congregation had eaten the spiritual food, all roads led to the Grand Reception grounds, held at the Banquet Hall of Tafawa Balewa Square, a walking distance from Our Saviours Church, to eat the physical foods and delicacies. Everything stood still except the music that ushered-in Obaz and his wife, Lilian, family, friends, relations and associates as he made his grand entry into the Reception Hall, amid pomp and camaraderie. Dancing graciously and waving cheerfully to the ecstatic gathering, Obaz, apparently elated, showed gratitude to everyone that graced the occasion.
Then came Testimony Time. First to handle the mike was no other personage than our own MOCOSA Pillar of strength , Professor Ayo Ogunye, who, before giving his testimony on Obaz, called all Molusians in the Hall to come forward for a rendition of our School song, “Only the Best” anchored by immediate past Global President, Barrister Femi Talabi.
Professor Ogunye, before descending the podium, recalled how he knew Obaz. He said Obaz happened to be one of the most outstanding Sales/Marketing Executives working under him when he was CEO of Phoenix Oil, yet he never knew Obaz was a Molusian until he called for his file.
He picked special interest in Obaz, since then, and that was how a wonderful relationship that has lasted decades and still counting was birthed.
Professor Ogunye went on to pray for long life, good health and more prosperity for Obaz. The rest of the day was full of lots of eating and drinking, dancing and chatting and sharing of business gifts and souvenirs.
OtaNEWS online greets Senior Molusian Obaz Orhewere, wishing him more health, strength, wealth, peace and joy in the years ahead.
Congratulations and Happy birthday. Many happy returns sir.