Ejide,Odu Ochiliozua at 90:Remarkable Life of Faith, Fulfilment and Gratitude

It was a carnival-like atmosphere on Saturday as Chief Sir Silas Amamchukwu Ejide, the Odu Ochiliozua of Agulu, celebrated his 90th birthday in grand style at his country home in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The colourful celebration attracted friends, relatives, community leaders and well-wishers from different walks of life who gathered to honour the nonagenarian.
The event was marked by pomp, glitz, fun, and the popping of wine bottles as guests rejoiced with the celebrant on attaining the remarkable milestone.
Chief Sir Ejide, who is widely respected in the community, expressed deep gratitude to God for granting him the grace to witness his 90th birthday.
The Odu Ochiliozua of Agulu is a father of ten children, though he lost one of them at adulthood. He is also blessed with more than twenty grandchildren.
Reflecting on his long life, Sir Ejide described reaching the age of 90 as a special grace from God.
“I am grateful to God for being 90 years old. Ninety years is not ninety days, neither is it ninety hours,” he said.
According to him, it is only God who could have made such a journey of life possible.
“There is nothing any person does in life without the hand of God,” he added.
The celebrant was visibly excited by the large turnout of people who came to celebrate with him.
“Today the people of Agulu have shown me that they love and appreciate me. I never knew that I am loved like this by my people,”
“Everyone who came here today came with happiness, joy and appreciation. They were all smiling and laughing. Before now, I used to think that my people hated me, but today I have been proved wrong.”he said.
Sir Ejide showered appreciation on all those who attended the ceremony, thanking them for making the day memorable.
He also thanked God for sparing his life to witness the joyful celebration of his 90th birthday.
“I appreciate everyone for coming. I thank God for the grace of longevity. I am still asking God for longer life and good health. There is no time a person will beg God to take his life.
“I am praying for our people to live in peace and unity, and not to bear false allegations against one another. Today I feel fulfilled in every way. I pray that God will bless everyone,” he said.
Speaking to our reporter, his first son, Mr. Okechukwu Ejide, expressed joy and gratitude to God for his father’s long life.
He noted that seeing his father reach the age of 90 while surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is a rare privilege and divine grace.
According to him, the family decided to celebrate their father while he is still alive so that he can personally witness the love and honour people have for him.
“In our society today, when someone dies, families slaughter cows and cook food for burial ceremonies,”
“But we decided to celebrate our father while he is still alive so that he will witness everything himself and know how much he is loved. We want him to be happy while alive.”he said.
He added that such celebration would bring happiness to the elderly patriarch and encourage him to live many more years in good health.
Okechukwu further explained that the family originally had ten children, but one of them, a daughter, passed away after an illness.
He said four of the children are male while six are female.
He also revealed that the family has already been blessed with over twenty grandchildren, describing the development as a blessing worthy of celebration.
“My prayer now is that God should keep him healthy and alive for many more years,”
“We also pray that he will continue to receive proper care, good food at the right time and constant happiness. This will help him live longer and remain joyful.”he said.
Speaking about his father’s character, Okechukwu described him as a truthful person and a lover of peace who never tolerates wrongdoing.
“He is a man who does not stay where evil is being committed. He always stands for what is right,” he said.
Also speaking, one of his daughters-in-law, Mrs. Obiageli Ejide, said her heart was filled with joy and gratitude to God that her father-in-law had attained the age of 90.
“I am very proud of him. He never jokes with me. I thank God for giving me such a wonderful father-in-law,”
“In my next world, I would still want him to be my father-in-law. I love him so much. I love him like my own father. He is one in a million. There is no one like him.”she said.
According to her, the lifestyle of her father-in-law is exemplary, noting that he is honest, straightforward and a lover of truth.
“He stands for the truth and does not discriminate against anyone,”
“He calls me every morning if he has not heard from me and would say, ‘My wife, I have not heard from you.’ He is a very caring father-in-law.
“His smile is warm and welcoming. He is very handsome, neat and always pleasant to be around,” she added.