The last 2 days have been surreal and sober for me.

I sat reflective and introspective in the auditorium of The Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos, attending the Night of Tributes on Monday, November 29, 2021 and the Funeral Service on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 of our dearly beloved Pastor Nomthi ODUKOYA .

I listened to the testimonies of many about her great works as woman, wife, mother, grandmother, God’s servant, friend, connector, giver and many more and how she was all with extraordinary capacity, the joy and peace of the Lord, humility and above all the LOVE of CHRIST.

I did not just listen to all these great outpouring acknowledgements of her impactful journey on the earth and the countless people she graciously touched far and near, I testify to the unusualness of her greatness and kindness as someone, who worked closely with her on the Board of her NGO, Fundawazi Foundation and Secretary to her Social Enterprise, Yazi Wenze. There are many instances I can refer to but I will limit myself to the last 2. On the 7th of May, 2021, she received the news that we were expecting our baby with great joy, dancing and said to my wife and I that she heard JOY and that there must be JOY in the name of the child. It was through her that God gave us a name for our son, TIERIAYOOLUWA. On October 23 when my wife was in a labour and admitted into the hospital, I sent her a message informing her of the development, pronto, she responded, ‘good afternoon bro Taiwo, this is great news. We will hear the voice of a child and the voice of the mother in Jesus name.’ Today with the benefit of hindsight that response and prayer(which the Lord answered) remain to us a priceless demonstration of her selflessness and sacrificial LOVE for people.

My prayer today is that God will continue to grant our father, Pastor Taiwo ODUKOYA, her immediate and extended family, the Fountain of Life Church Family, the body of Christ and the Child Protection Advocacy Community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of God’s General, Pastor Nomthi ODUKOYA, knowing that she has joined the saints to sing her favorite HALLELUJAH before her LORD and SAVIOUR, Jesus Christ.