It was jubilation all the way as Chief Dr. Ferdinand Agbera Onyekpeze, a renowned educationist, community leader and author, celebrated his 80th birthday, on Sunday July 29, 2018.
The activities marking the birthday celebration of Chief Onyekpeze started with a thanksgiving mass at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Owa, Ika North East LGA of Delta State. Speaking on the message titled, “Wait on the Lord,” the parish priest Very Rev. Fr. Leonard Biachi, while admonishing the congregation stated that God is compassionate and generous, a loving father who will surely give His children food in due season. He noted that because some Christians lack the patience to wait on the Lord, they seek for assistance from the powers of darkness, which are powerless, emphasizing that God is a God of abundance to satisfy the needs of His children. Continuing, he stated that the eyes of all creatures’ looks unto God, and being a caring father, God opens His hands to always satisfy His children with good things. He urged the congregation to be patient with the Lord for He cares for them; and prayed God; to visit all with the spirit of patience, to enable them wait upon Him.
The event featured beautiful song rendition by the church choir which got everyone dancing to the glory of God, as they accompanied Chief Dr. Ferdinand Onyekpeze and his family in thanking God for the celebration of a fulfilled life He granted their father.
Notable personalities at the event include; Chief Dr. Ehijeine S., Mr. F.O. Omogbene, Mr. Ben O. Utalor, DSP S. Kiwuogun, Rtd. C.P. Elias Wayemeru, Mr. Nwani Uche, Comr. Geoff Uti, Mr. Eluma Dennis, Mr. Obinna, Chief Iweagwu, Pa Izegede, Hon. Ferdinand Iweriebor, Mr. Benjamin Igumbor, Barr. Hayes Ihator, Mr. Ihator, Mr. Alphonsus Ebomah, Lady Pamela Enuezie, Lady Emmnauella Ododah, Engr. Desmond Onyekpeze, Queen F. Ezeamaka, and Mrs. Ebere Amechi, among many others.
The birthday reception which showcased dint of royalty and glamour, at Chief Dr. Onyekpeze’s Boji-Boji Owa residence, will remain evergreen in the minds of all who attended the ceremony, with guests lavishly entertained with sumptuous meals and choice drinks.
Highpoints of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake and taking of photographs with the celebrant by his family members, friends and associates that graced the occasion.
In a chat with Ika Weekly Newspaper reporter, the celebrant, Chief Dr. Ferdinand Agbera Onyekpeze, who was full of smiles expressed gratitude to God for His love and mercies, which he stated has led him thus far.
When asked by the reporter if he felt fulfilled at Eighty, he said, “I think I have fulfilled what God wants me to do, I have worked and retired meritoriously, my six children are married and well placed, as at now, I have twenty three grand children; I think that there is nothing one can think of but only to thank God for the good things He has done.”
He prayed God to bless all those that came to celebrate with him and grant them journey mercies to their various destination.
In a chat with Ika Weekly reporter shortly after the church service, Hon. (Barr.) Victor Okoh, the chairman of Ika South LGA, who also attended the birthday thanksgiving service, described the celebrant as a great man who has done much for the community, through his historical discoveries with lots of publications on Ika history and development for generations unborn, he appreciated Chief Dr. Onyekpeze, as a source of inspiration and knowledge; having contributed much to Ika land. He urged the younger generations to emulate the positive side of the octogenarian whom according to chairman has set a standard and has lived an upright life. He prayed God to grant him heaven’s best and wished him more fruitful years of good health.
In the same vein, Mrs. Victoria Obiageli Onyekpeze, the celebrant’s wife, thanked God for his bountiful blessings upon her husband and family, she described him as a loving and caring husband to herself and the children, a mentor and a pillar to reckon with in the family. She wished him God’s continuous blessings, guidance and protection.
Speaking with Ika Weekly reporter, Engr. Desmond Onyekpeze, papa’s son, thanked God for keeping his father in good health; he described him as his mentor, a hard working, caring and easy going personality, whom he loves dearly. He prayed God to grant him more years of good health and wisdom.
In separate interviews with the press, Lady Pamela Enuezie and Lady Emmnauella Ododah, papa’s daughters, thanked God for granting their father good health to celebrate his 80th birthday, the duo described their father as a wonderful, precious, loving and caring father; who is one in a million, a father of all, having trained a lot of persons as a principal.
Continuing, they expressed their joy and satisfaction having him as their father, and being his daughters. They prayed God to grant him many more years of good health to see his third generation.