It was a moment of joy in Aro Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State as Mama Margaret Emetejirevwe Ohwodiasa (Nee Odokuma) celebrates 93rd birth anniversary.
The event was heralded on Sunday with a special thanksgiving service at St. Peters Catholic Church, Ekete Community in Udu Local Government Area of the state.
The family and well-wishers, thereafter proceeded to the nonagenarian’s residence at Aro Community to continue with the celebration
Best described as a real Africa mother and an epitome of humility, Mama Ohwodiasa has been a source of positive inspiration to many people from her childhood till date.
Glowing radiantly even at 93, Mama felt honoured being celebrated by her family, community and well-wishers.
“It is a moment of joy for mama. May God continues to keep her for us,” a community member said.
One of her son, Engr. Victor Ohwodiasa, the Delta State Coordinator, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority said that the celebration was just a way to say thank you to their mother.
“God has been very faithful to mummy. After the demise of my dad, she has been the one who stood for us all this while.
“As God has given her the gift of longevity, we felt that it is necessary for us to appreciate her by organizing this get-together for her.
“We have to celebrate her while she is still alive, to let her know that we appreciate all her efforts towards bringing us up.
“What we are today is by her efforts and the grace of God, so we need to appreciate mummy. She is 93 years now by the grace of God and still counting..
“Mummy had five children, four boys and a girl. Unfortunately, we lost our most elder brother in 2021. At the moment, we are there boys and a girl.
“Mummy is discipline, God fearing and committed to bringing up her children in the ways of the Lord. Above all, she is a strong member of Catholic.
Another son of the celebrant, Mr Dickson Ohwodiasa said that his mother was a disciplinarian, accommodative and charitable.
“We are celebrating my mother for all the struggle she has gone through in her life. We are thanking God in her life for raising us in a disciplined manner with humility.
“Mummy taught us never to be attracted by someone’s property rather we should work hard to get ours.
“We lost our father at a very tender age. She has been the one playing the role of a father and mother to us. So it is not when someone has passed on that we celebrate.
“Mummy is full of love, not only to her children but to everyone. She is very accommodative.
“Even at our trying period, when we lost our father and trying to find out feet, she still brought her brothers children to come and stay with us.
“She is full of love, accommodative, humble and charitable. She keeps giving. We are celebrating her today at 93 years,” he said.
On his part, Reverend Father Oghenejode Abaka thanked God for giving Mama the grace to celebrate 93 years saying that the feat was possible due her constant worshipping, steadfastness and dependent on God.
The Parish Priest and Laison Officer at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources said that Mama had been serving God from her tender age adding that she has consistently kept worshiping.
“To anyone who responds to the words of God and worship Him in truth and in spirit, God has a way of rewarding the person.
“That is precisely what we are experiencing today. The favour of 93 years which is not common.
“We congratulate mummy, her children, grand and great-grand children. We also congratulate the brother in-laws, members of her family, friends and relations who have come to celebrate her.
“Mama, may God continues to bless and further your 93 years. May you live in peace, happiness and joy. May your faith in Christ never waiver.
“Once again, we wish you well, health of mind and body. Happy birthday to you mummy,” Abaka said.
