“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better” (Robert F. Kennedy). In his lifetime, Dr. Obioha affected the world for the better. He was the perfect role model who has shown the rest of us that we can make a difference in this life, one person at a time. His devotion to God and his family cannot be overemphasized. He was successful in every facet of the word, be it spiritually, academically, emotionally, financially and business wise. But he also taught his family how to be successful – that is work hard and pray hard. Today, these principles are indelible in the hearts of his children and the family that he left behind. This is to say that although he is no longer physically with us, we (each of us) carry a little bit of him, which he has deposited in us.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). The light that Dr. Obioha brought into this world shined so bright that it illuminated not just the path of his family, but also that of many whom he came in contact with. I was privileged to be one of those many, and that light shines even brighter on my path today.
Growing up as a young boy in primary school, I was a brilliant student; but my parents did not have enough money to send me to the secondary school. At this time we were members of Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, and so my family decided to ask the local churches for help. It was in 1996, and on one of those occasions, we visited the local church at Umungasi Aba where Dr. Obioha and his family worshipped. The pastor introduced my case and asked the church members to give an offering to help alleviate my financial need. Many gave offerings on that day – but Dr. Obioha saw that as a unique opportunity to help a person in need. Instead of giving an offering, he gave me his business card, which had the words ‘visit my office tomorrow’ written at the back of it.
From that day forward, Dr. Obioha treated me as though I was one of his children. He paid my school fees throughout my secondary school years. He did not stop there. When I got admitted into the University, he paid all my tuition fees throughout the five years of my university education. What a heart full of compassion and love he had. He introduced me and my family to his lovely wife and his family too. He created a great relationship between the two families and an atmosphere of love, generosity and kindness. After my university education in Nigeria, He encouraged me to not give up on my dreams. God willing, I gained a scholarship to study my MSc in the United Kingdom. This year (2016), I completed my Ph.D program in a University in Canada, and still looking on to greater things. The fact is that, I would not have been able to reach this height had Dr. Obioha not come to my help. He was my destiny helper! He helped make me who I am today.
“It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result” (Mahatma Gandhi). Dr. Obioha may not have lived long enough to see the fruit of his good works, at least in full. As much as that makes our hearts bleed, we also know that he did the right things during his life and made a difference in this world. As long as the fruits of his labour are here with us, we will never forget him. The story of Dr. Obioha’s good works will be told to the coming generations and shown as an example of a life well lived. With God’s help, I will continue the legacy that Dr. Obioha left behind by helping at least one person who is in a similar condition as I was in 1996. I will transfer the little bit of Dr Obioha in me to the coming generation.
“The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me' (Matt 25:40). Dr. Obioha lived a Godly life full of effectiveness, and his works will not only be remembered by us men, but also by God. Today, we can take solace in the fact Dr. Obioha has received the inheritance prepared for him in God’s kingdom. He was one of the few who did more than needed to make this world better of us all. More than caring for people’s needs, he helped. More than believing in God’s love, he practised it. More than being fair to people, he showed kindness. More than dreaming about what to do, he worked. In short, Dr. Obioha did not just come to this world to do well, but he also did good.
Although the news of your departure came as a shock to us, we know that you are now in a better place. We will never forget you and all that you have been to us all. After this life, we also know that we will be able to spend a much longer time with you on the day of our Lord’s coming.
Live on Dr. Obioha Mackena Obioha.