The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, said he found strength in the renowned evangelist, Rev. Uma Ukpai, when he lost his son in 2021.
Dare Adeboye who is the third child of 82-year-old Adeboye, died on May 4, 2021 in Eket, Akwa Ibom State where he was based with his family. The late Dare Adeboye was married to his wife, Temiloluwa, and had three daughters.
Preaching on Friday, January 10, at a special service held at the International Worship Centre in Uyo to celebrate Ukpai’s 80th birthday, Adeboye said that the latter’s steadfastness in Christian faith helped him in his “darkest moment.”
“If you really, really want to serve God, then you must be ready to serve him whether things are pleasant or not. In the darkest moment of my life since becoming a Christian — when I lost my son without notice — my son called me on a Sunday evening and said, ‘Daddy, the weekend programme was extremely successful. Glory be to God, thank you for your prayer support.’ The next thing I heard on Tuesday night was that my son was gone.
‘‘I had to preach on Friday, and one reference point that gave me strength was Uma Ukpai. I know he lost more than one child in a day, yet he did not waver. He kept on serving God. He gave me strength at a time when I needed it most.”he said
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State eulogised renowned gospel evangelist, Rev. Uma Ukpai, describing him as God’s Gift to the State.
Speaking at a special service at the International Worship Centre, Uyo, to mark Ukpai’s 80th birthday, the Governor noted that at 80, the Evangelist has made an incredible and enduring impact by sowing seeds, winning souls and expanding the Lord’s vineyad exponentially.
“I am here to join the Body of Christ to celebrate a great man of God on this joyous occasion. The theme of this celebratory event- the public lecture, is “The man from Ohafia” which is quite fitting given our father’s love for his place of birth and the pride the people of Ohafia feel about him.
“But if I may add a corollary to the theme, I would say “The Man from Ohafia and God’s Gift to Akwa Ibom. For the most part if not the entirety of our dear father’s life as an evangelist, and a Christian warrior, Akwa Ibom has been a fabric of his life. He has projected our dear State to all corners of the world through his evangelistic pursuits,” he added.
Eno who extended birthday felicitation from his colleagues in the South South, lauded Rev. Ukpai for his support and prayers saying,h “We have benefited mightily from his wise spiritual counsel, the love he has shown to our people and our leaders is immense and we don’t take this for granted.
“My prayer is that God should continue to show mercy, grace, long life and unquantifiable blessings to the man from Ohafia whom God favoured in Akwa Ibom State to be a vessel of blessings to humanity. Happy birthday God’s own general!”
In his message, taken from Psalm 91:1, 14 -16, the Guest Speaker, Pastor Enoch Adeboye assured Christians that those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, and will perpetually enjoy safety.
He congratulated Rev. Uma Ukpai for joining the octogenarian’s circle, stressing that every man has an appointment to keep with God, and must be prepared for the appointment which could come sooner than expected.
Meanwhile, a video has surfaced online that shows the moment General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor Adeboye attempted to stand up and greet Governor of Akwa Ibom State Umo Eno.
Daddy, E joko- Governor Eno
In the clip, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, a Nigerian clergyman and founder of All Nations Christian Ministry International, is seen meeting with Pastor Adeboye and other religious leaders during the birthday anniversary.
However, when Governor of Akwa Ibom State Umo Eno arrived, everyone stood up to greet him as a way to show utmost respect to him and he responded by greeting them back while he was walking to his seat.
As Akwa Ibom State Governor Eno was about to reach his seat, he linked up with Pastor Adeboye who wanted to stand up and greet but he refused to allow him stand up.
The Governor said; “Daddy E joko” meaning “Please, sit down daddy” and the governor rather went on bent knees to greet Pastor Adeboye, before he went to his seat.
Mercy Chinwo, Nigeria’s popular gospel singer, featured at the grand event.
The event was attended by the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel; Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Rev. Ayo Oritsejafor is the founding and Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church in Warri, Nigeria; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the founder of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong and Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, among others.
