This tribute would have better been titled “Not My Will” considering the unpreparedness and unwillingness of my state of mind as at when the spirit came upon me. It was a tough battle but at the end the supremacy of God manifested, I was compelled by the author of the universe, the controller of our minds and hearts, as well as impulses to take heart, be strong and let His will be done by putting up this piece in honour of our departed sister.
I was still in bed on Saturday morning, precisely 4a.m thinking of how to enjoy about 2 hours sleep after receiving a revelation on a Man-made exposed and disgraced by God, then a spirit discended on me, instructing me to write a tribute in honour of Deborah Omobonike. Then, I asked, what should I write about her, we weren’t that close, I never intruded into her private life, though she was a friend, a wife to the President of Men Missionary Union of the New Heritage Baptist Church, Quarters Road, Eniosa, Ibadan, even at that I still couldn’t see myself qualified for such assignment.
Then I said to God why me? I was yet to complete the question, when the Lord said, it’s part of your ministry, Women Ministry, then i answered affirmatively, “yes, my ministry, I know, it’s my ministry, the voice added, “you have lost a matriarch and she must be well celebrated and you have been appointed to celebrate this great woman, a daughter of Zion.” I was weak, I needed strength to keep on, I was broken to pieces, the David in me got humbled, while wisdom like that of Solomon I claim to possess was caged and couldn’t find exit to enable me stand like a rock. At this very moment, my heart was very heavy as if heavy load was placed on it, I exploded like a timed-bomb, behold in a matter of seconds my eyes were soaked with tears, I wept profusely like a year old infant, starved of mother’s breast milk. After about 30 minutes of soberness, the spirit in me managed to mutter this statement, “yes, I am ready for the hercules task”.
Again, I asked, “what should I write about our lovely departed sister? Still thinking of what to ask next, I heard a voice asking “which of her good works will you deny or pretend not to be aware of”. Suddenly something pierced through my heart, my mind and senses became full. I became very alerted, no record book or video is required at this point to write an epistle on a soul that returned very late on the night of Thursday October 13, 2022 to her creator. Writing about someone whose supremacy of God forced people to gather early Friday morning to mourn her became so easy.
Omobonike, a priceless and valuable tool in the hands of her creator, how would I not remember those great contributions you made in the lives of our daughters at the New Heritage Baptist Church (NHBC), Eniosa, Ibadan through your outstanding dedication to Girls in Action project which you chaired for many years. Your classical teachings undeniably helped NHBC girls academically and spiritually. You’re so dedicated to the work so much that even in pains you were very thorough in giving “all” to the assignment handed over to you, at a stage when the cross of your personal challenges became so heavy, that it seemed you hadn’t strength to carry on with the responsibilities, you assured God of pressing further in His vineyard.
Our late sister refused to allow her burden deprive her of monitoring, supervising and guiding those girls handed to her by God to victories at all stages of their examinations to advance to next category in the Girls in Action/Auxiliary ranking. Every time she went to camp with the girls costed her great pains and sacrifices, sometimes she engaged in fasting to avoid eating food capable of upsetting her system, otherwise she opted for obeying special dietary. Who among leaders in christendom today could make such sacrifice, especially when monetary reward is not attached. Omobonike was never rested nor tired of offering acceptable service in His vineyard untill the Lord called her home.
The Lord also reminded me of her responsibilities as the church’s treasurer, she wasn’t just faithful, but honest, trustworthy, diligent, dependable and committed. Regardless of her challenges, family responsibilities, career demands, Deborah Omobonike was never in a hurry to return home after Sunday service. After spending time to teach her girls, she would switch over to checking and signing all the necessary documents and financial books, which usually ended up in a meeting with the Reverend in charge of the church.
Deborah was a symbol of a valuable, multifunctional and utility tool/servant in God’s vineyard. She was the head of evangelism at the NHBC, always available to lead the church in evangelism and ensured her children in the church (Girls in Action/Auxiliary) participated in evangelism activities, in actual fact they usually form reasonable percentage of members involved in the mission work.
Ordinarily, the tribute would’ve ended after the last paragraph above, but I noticed a finger pointing towards the direction of her biological children, asking, “if you look round how many children are well trained and received godly parenting like these children in the world of today?” Huuummm, the question wasn’t so difficult for me at all, because news of social vices and immoràlities involving children and youths are these days dominated by both the prints and electronics as well as social media.
Deborah was a great mother, her sacrifices and love influenced and shaped her children lives. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Behind every great man, is a great woman (mother)”. You know what? People are what their mothers make them!. Lincoln also said, “All that I am or hope to be, I owe it to my angel mother”.
I was made to remember all the tireless sacrifices that she made in her lifetime towards her children and household, I have conviction she’s very special and awesome in the sight of God. She was exceptional, outstanding and a unique mother every child would want to have has role model and parent, whose parenthood style is unequal and unmatched. Deborah was a typical Yoruba mother, whose authority over her children was unquestionable and uncontestable.
Putting together tributes, comments and statements made by her family, neighbour and relations you would agree with me that Deborah Omobonike Oyekan’s love for her family, particularly children and husband was immeasurable, priceless and worthy of emulation by all mothers and wives. Or how do we describe a mother who gave her own life for her children, that is the very depth of a mother’s love and sacrifice; that’s the heart of a mother.
One needn’t to wonder where Sister Deborah got her inspiration from and what motivated her that much to stand out among mothers of her time, the fact that she was a godly mother answered whatever question we would have love to ask her children. The bible (1 Samuel 1: 27- 28,) speaks about some exemplary qualities of an ideal Mother. When you read this passage you will notice the godly characteristics of Hannah as a mother.
Deborah Omobonike, a prayerful mother who did all to secure better future for her children by continually offering supplications to God on behalf of her children and family. Only God knows the extent she went in prayer to protect and win the world for her children. She was surely a godly mother, her contributions to her children’s lives spiritually was great, she taught them the ways of God and led them to God. She assisted them to grow in faith.
Good night blessed and virtuous woman who brought up her children in the fear of God; guided them in the path of modesty and moderation; provided for their needs and counsels them against ostentation, taught them the virtue of hard work and self-discipline. Now as they keep growing they’re toeing the path of rectitude and they never depart from it because on that path, they’re succeeding and excelling.
You have to permit my digression, this tribute is written to arise in us sense of appreciation that will force tears down our cheeks when we remember what that poor woman went through physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, psychologically and health wise in playing those challenging, enviable and noteworthy roles in the vineyard and lives of her children and family.
Having heard everything spoken by the spirit, I then summoned courage to engage God in few conversations, that troubled my mind. First, I asked, “now that you have taken her away, how will your church cope with responsibilities she left, who will take over as coordinator of Girls in Action? Who will lead evangelism group, how about other areas where she offered support to the church?” The response to my questions came immediately, He said, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? I raised Deborah, and I permitted her exit, I will raise another daughter of mine, equip and bless her to takeover from where Omobonike stopped.”
I then asked the second question, “who will look after, care and stand for Deborah’s children, especially her little daughter who was fun of rubbing her body on her mother, loved sitting close and beside her, how will she cope without her? And the Lord referred me to Jeremiah 32:27, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? I will put Faith Oyekan on my right palm, take her to wherever she desires to be, she will never be alone and I will give power to my angels to watch over her and her brothers, Favour and Fortunate, no evil shall before them.”
Finally, I asked of God’s plan for our brother in the Lord, Mr. Tunde Oyekan, husband to the late daughter of Zion, a very lighthearted, cool, gentleman but spiritually inclined, very committed, dedicated and patriotic tool in the house of God. And words of the Lord came to me saying, “for Tunde Oyekan, i will create in him a new heart, a strong mind, I will renew his strength, I will be with him and enable him stand firmly in the time of trouble, I will hand the key to my treasury over to him and always meet him at his point of needs, I will grant him long life and good health.”
After much struggle I finally scripted the message which I titled tribute down to honour and celebrate our late sister-in-the-Lord, Mrs. Deborah Omobonike Oyekan and to the glory of God Almighty. In addition, this tribute is challenging us to carry out a comprehensive auditing of our lives (spiritual and moral). We must examine each of the lessons her life taught us and make sure we rededicate ourselves. Let us ask ourselves this question; “Are all these attributes present in our lives trustworthiness, dependability, kindness, honour, integrity, patriotism, commitment to the work of God and above all, the fear of God, the Almighty to whom we all shall return.
