By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – In the wee hours of 26 of April, 1951, the Ayida family of Ugbege in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, South-South Nigeria, welcomed a dame in the person of little Mercy, but unknown to the family unto them a daughter has been given that will be a shining light to the Gospel of Christ and service to humanity.
This little angel who started her education career at the Lagos Anglican Girls Primary School and Methodist Girls High School started showing the trail of leadership as she was appointed Head Girl of the school for two years.
She later proceeded to the famous University of Ibadan where she studied Sociology and her commitment to her Creator and Saviour started as she became a devoted member of the Tuesday fellowship on campus.
After graduation, a young man in the person of Matthew Owojaiye approached her for marriage, saying, “God has spoken to me that you will be my wife”, even though Matthew was in 100L studying Animal Science and she is in 200L, she never doubted the Word of God. She only prayed for time and later testified that she heard the voice of God audibly that Matthew is going to be her husband.
During their days of courtship the young Matthew informed his wife to be that he had a covenant with God that he is going to work for three years and go into full time ministry and because of her love for the Lord she did not object to this.
Mercy was posted to Kaduna State for her National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), and later got married to the love of her life on 30th July, 1977. The late Mercy Owojaiye, a staff of Kaduna Polytechnic late resigned to work at the Christ Ambassador’s College.
Even though she is late, her contributions to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and service to humanity will forever remain afresh in the memories of many.
Words are not enough to describe the positive impact this departed angel has on the lives of many who came across her way. In the words of the Vice Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Kaduna, Apostle Abayomi Adekoya, who has been closed to the family for about 35 years that Mrs. Owojaiye who many referred to “Mama” is a prayer warrior who believed prayer can solve every situations.
Apostle Adekoya also described the deceased as a very generous person and at the same time very strict even though lots of people don’t talk about that aspect of her life, so strict that if you are doing something wrong once you see her, you will arrange yourself because she was also a no nonsense person and a great encourager.
“I am sure you know there are two most painful deaths in life – the dead of a spouse and that of a child. Haven lived with somebody for 41years and the person is no more, a part of you is gone and only those who have gone through it can explain what that means it can’t be the same again,” he said.
Similarly, Pastor (Mrs.) Florence Williams of Light to the Nation Ministry, said there are so much to tell about this one couple that loved the Lord just like Aquila and Priscilla in the Bible.
According to her, the couple are people that are sold out to anything called Jesus, and they served the Lord not only with their bodies but with their substance, their household and everything in the environment.
“Late Mama Owojaiye has lived an exemplary life and it is for us to follow in those footsteps because that is the will of the Lord for us, to care for one another, love other people and so we hope to live that life of love,” she added.
When asked how did he received the news of his mother’s death; 28 years old Timi David Owojaiye, the last son and sixth child of the deceased, who lives and works in Canada is an aircraft Maintenance Engineer, said the news of his mother’s death was unreal to him but has also been a blessing because he realized that she has invested lots on him as well as other people.
According to Engr. Owojaiye, where ever I maybe, I know for sure every morning at 3am, my mother is in the living room praying, this I will definitely going to missed her.
The Owojaiyes who resides in Matari West Community are also blessing to their domain and to sustain her legacy of generosity, her husband Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye has provided two boreholes to the community who faced perpetual water scarcity.