By Ogheneruona Tegiri
Despite a heavy downpour that swept through Effurun on Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of family members, friends, clerics, political associates, and sympathisers thronged the Garden of Life Assembly in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State to honour the late Archbishop Philip Orovwuje at a Service of Songs held in his memory.
The church auditorium was filled to capacity, with many mourners standing outside as people from across Delta State and beyond gathered to pay their last respects to the respected cleric, who recently passed on to eternal glory. The solemn service featured soul-stirring gospel renditions led by popular gospel music minister, Tisio Tisio, alongside the Garden of Life Assembly Choir, creating an atmosphere of worship and reflection.
Delivering the sermon, Archbishop Eddy Bebor reminded the congregation that death is an unavoidable reality for every human being, irrespective of social status, wealth or influence. Preaching from Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, he said every individual has an appointed time to be born and a time to die, stressing that no one is exempt from the certainty of death.
“Death is real. Whether you believe it or not, it will come one day. No matter how highly placed a person is in society, death will surely come,” he declared. According to him, while God alone grants longevity, neither riches nor power can shield anyone from death.
“Death respects no one. It comes at God’s appointed time, and no human being can stop it. Life is like a journey in a moving bus; when it is your turn, you alight while others continue until their own time comes,” he said.
Drawing lessons from history, Archbishop Bebor noted that if wealth could prevent death, the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola would not have died. Likewise, he said, if political power could conquer death, former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, would have remained alive. He also cited the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, of Church of God Mission, saying that even his extraordinary anointing did not exempt him from mortality. Describing death as the “last enemy” of mankind, the cleric acknowledged the deep emotional pain it leaves behind for families and loved ones.
“The death of a loved one is always painful and emotionally devastating. The Bible describes death as an enemy, yet it is appointed unto man to die,” he said. He added that although Christians believe heaven is a better place, many still fear death, recalling that Jesus Christ Himself prayed in Gethsemane that the cup of suffering might pass from Him before His crucifixion.
Archbishop Bebor urged the congregation to live humble, purposeful and impactful lives so they would be remembered for their positive contributions after their departure from the world. The service ended with special prayers for the Orovwuje family, as ministers and worshippers prayed for God’s comfort, strength and grace to sustain them through their period of bereavement.