Today, Pastor Tunde Bolanta of Restoration ministries Kaduna, kept referring to someoneas 'the honorable minister', at some point, i even thought he was talking about a minister (as in Pastor). Later on after his Sermon, he called 'the honourable minister' on stage and endeared the congregation to pray for him, he even told 'the honourable minister' to kneel on the altar as was the tradition in the Church. The minister, his wife and Son obliged and knelt on the altar as we all stretched our hands and prayed for him.
After this, the Pastor said he can see 'the honourable minister' 'stepping into big shoes'. After the prayers, 'the honourable minister' wanted to go back to his seat, but the pastor said he had an assignment for him. So the 'honourable minister' and his wife came back to the altar where they were requested to give out honorary plaques to members of the Church who had been very supportive to the ministry last year. 'The honourable minister' and his wife gave out about 50 plaques and proceded to their seats. The Pastor once again paused their exit and handed over the microphone to him, he wanted him to say a word or two to the congregation numbering several hundreds.
'The honourable minister' gave the best speech i've heard this year. He talked about walking with God and how we have to pass through a rough process of filth and inefficiency, a gradual prunning process that we must pass through before we can be able to stand peri-pasu with God. He categorically stated that anyone who ever shared a smooth success story should be re-examined severally. He said that we must pass through a lot of trials before God can trust us to entrust responsiblilities into our care. 'The honourable minister' further talked about how the country have suffered under the hands of dishonest men, and how there is a high demand for honest people in Government at the moment. After this very enlightning speech, he and his wife walked off the stage, unfortunately i never knew that was the last time i was going to see them alive.
After Church, my Cousin and friend came to the car and told me that Joshua, James Ocholi's son was his friend in school (Salem Uni), he felt some trepidation that the security men may harrass him if he tried to gain access to Joshua, but i encouraged him to at least give it a try. That was how we finally went to the pastoral office and requested that one of the senior pastors call James Ocholi for us. The Senior Pastor relayed our message with my Cousin's name attached and almost immediately, James emerged from inside the office, beaming with smiles as he shook both my Cousin and I. They talked at lenght over good old days and how they should at least hangout soon. Joshua said 'KD sun was too hot and he can't wait to go back to Abj AC sun'. After going back and forth about where he was serving in Abj and and so on, we finally got his recent contact and parted ways - Forever!! RIP to the dead among the Ocholis.
May God grant the surviving family members the fortitude to bear this immense loss. Nigeria have indeed lost a gem in the person of Barrister James Ocholi (SAN), the honourable minister of Labour and employment before his sudden death.
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