BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The 80th birthday celebration of John-Maria Chibuninem Egesi became an emotional tribute to love, family and a life dedicated to serving others, as his wife, Mrs Gloria Adaugo, described him as the “father, friend, brother and counsellor” in her life.
Speaking at a thanksgiving celebration organised to mark the milestone, Gloria said her husband had been a special gift from God and the reason she enjoys tremendous respect within the family.
“I don’t know what I did for God to give me this man,” she said emotionally.
Gloria said that although she was not the oldest member of the family, she was treated with great respect because of her husband.
“In the family, I have so much respect. I’m not the oldest, but everyone calls me mother-in-law because of him,” she said.
In one of the most touching moments of the celebration, she explained the many roles Egesi has played in her life.
“First, he is my father, my friend, my brother, my confidant, my counsellor, he’s my dibia (native doctor) — everything I eat, drink, everything that enters my mouth, he directs me. Then he’s my husband. Husband is the last, last,” she said.
Her tribute captured the unusual depth of companionship between the couple, portraying Egesi not only as a husband but also as a trusted adviser, protector, friend and guide.
For Egesi, turning 80 was an opportunity to look back on his life and give thanks to God. He also acknowledged the sacrifices and patience of his wife, particularly her willingness to accept his limitations.
The surprise birthday celebration, themed “8 Decades of God’s Grace and Faithfulness,” brought together family members, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to celebrate the octogenarian and honour his life and service.
Egesi attributed his longevity to God’s grace, love, service to humanity and the strength he draws from his Catholic faith.
He said reaching 80 was particularly significant because longevity was not common in his family.
“I don’t come from a family where people live long,” he said, stressing that reaching the age of 80 was “by the grace of God.”
He also spoke about love, saying genuine love should not be measured by money or material possessions.
“Money is not love,” he said, explaining that the love that truly matters is the spiritual love that comes from God.
Looking back on his years of service, Egesi said he had acquired many “children” along the way, embracing people from different ethnic backgrounds and treating them as members of his extended family.
He urged people to accept whatever God places before them and regard service to others as a responsibility rather than a burden.
Egesi said life’s challenges should not always be seen as punishment from God, noting that hardship could also help to build character, compassion and resilience.
“Crosses make us better people. It is crosses that make us charitable,” he said.
He cautioned against judging a person’s worth by material possessions, including the number of cars or houses owned, saying the true measure of life was the ability to accept God, carry one’s burdens and care for others.
The celebrant also spoke about the role of his Catholic faith in helping him through difficult moments, particularly his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
He described the Eucharist as a major source of strength, saying it gave him the grace to endure challenges that could otherwise have overwhelmed him.
“The Blessed Sacrament extends life,” Egesi declared, explaining that it gives believers the strength to carry their burdens and continue their journey despite pain and adversity.
Recalling periods of severe difficulty and emotional distress, he said his faith helped him overcome moments when he felt close to giving up.
He also reflected on his experiences during and after the Nigerian Civil War, saying surviving those difficult periods strengthened his conviction that God had remained with him throughout his life.
At 80, Egesi said he remained grateful for the opportunity to continue serving, advising and supporting others.
He urged his children, friends and guests to give glory to God, stressing that the ultimate measure of life should not be wealth or social status, but the grace to live meaningfully, love others, serve humanity and remain faithful to God.
Friends, family members and colleagues also paid glowing tributes to the celebrant, describing him as a compassionate father, dependable friend and burden bearer whose life has been marked by love, service and concern for others.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
