There was a galore of joy and merriment at the agrarian and peaceful village of Umuopara Onicha Uboma in Ihitte-Uboma LGA, Imo State, as kinsmen and kinswomen, in-laws, friends, well wishers, children and wife gathered to celebrate Pa John Uwajuwa Odinma as he marked 104 years birthday.
The 104 years birthday celebration started with Thanksgiving Mass at
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Onicha Uboma.
The birthday anniversary cum celebration of life of the Patriarch was held on Easter Sunday with people from all social strata joyously gracing the spectacular event.
Speaking, an illustrious son of Umuopara Onicha Uboma who is the Chairman of Medical and Health Workers Union and Director of Livestock, Ministry of Livestock Development, Imo State, Comr. Ezeagwula Princewill Chima, said the celebrant is the oldest man in Umuopara Onicha Uboma who God elongated his life due to his good deeds.
According to Ezeagwula, “it is a sign of longevity in Umuopara village. It is a celebration of life that Pa John Uwajuwa Odinma clocked 104 years. One spectacular thing about the celebrant is that he has never been admitted in the hospital. He is always healthy.
He is known for speaking truth, brokering peace, fearing God and loving humanity. I thank God for given him long life and I pray that God blesses and elongates lives of those who contributed in one way or another to the success of the celebration of the oldest man in Umuopara Onicha Uboma”.
Just as John Ahamefula Osuji, who is known for his goodwill in the village, exuded joy over the celebration of 104 birthday of the oldest person in Umuopara, saying he is a role model to many persons, a straightforward man.
“I am excited as we gather here to celebrate with our own, Pa John Uwajuwa Odinma. It is not easy to live up to 104 years in sound health. It is God’s doing. Glory be to God as He grants him more years”, Osuji said.
Describing her father as a nice man who she assured they will keep his good legacies alive, the second daughter of the celebrant, Nkechi Peace Njoku, prayed for more healthy years of his father who she added is loved by many especially those who crossed his path.
Expressing profound gratitude to God for giving him long life, good health and peace, the celebrant, Patriarch John Uwajuwa Odinma, said he is very happy to be celebrated by his wife, children, in-laws, kinsmen and kinswomen, friends and well wishers.
“I am marking 104 years birthday in joy and gratitude to God because God gave me long life and good health. God has always blessed me, gave me wisdom to speak truth, broker peace.
I eat enough fufu (akpu) which also added to my strong health. I have never been severely sick. I entreat my people to always follow good path, remain peaceful, straightforward to live long and have absolute peace and comfort”, Pa Odinma stressed.
He passionately extended appreciation to his lovely wife, children, In-laws, relatives, friends, well wishers and others who contributed to the success of his 104 years birthday celebration, praying that God blesses, sustains them, as well as replenishes their pockets abundantly.
Highlights of the event were cutting of birthday cake and giving of blessing to people by the celebrant.
