By Johnson Adebowale
It was a moment of testimonies and tributes of good deeds as the remains of Rev. Isaac Chibuike Ugboaja, founder and general overseer of the Christian Life Gospel Assembly, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos, were interred on Saturday, December 17, from his followers, colleagues and family. He was buried at the church premises exactly 55 days after his death in Lagos on Sunday, October 23, during a brief illness.
To honour Rev. Ugboaja posthumously on his birthday, a well-attended service of songs was earlier held on Monday, December 12, with a host of clergymen, friends, church members, relatives from Abia State, and many people whose lives he touched, in attendance.
Apostle Sam Nwaire, deputy general overseer of Christian Life and senior special adviser to the governor of Imo State on power and energy, described the departed prophet as a man of God with focus and goodwill. He said: “He came from his village to Lagos as a village boy, got the call of God, started his journey at Foursquare Church, moved to The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), and finally founded Christian Life Gospel Assembly.
“He has done tremendously well, bringing many to the fold of God with testimony abounding everywhere.”
Nwaire assured that there would never be a division or a vacuum in the church now that Prophet Ugboaja has gone. “We’ve been taught that God chooses who He calls,” he explained. So, whoever God chooses would lead the church.”
Bishop Abraham James, while delivering the funeral sermon, charged the gathering to always be conscious of the day of God. The day of God over which no one can control is when all man’s efforts, dreams and aspirations come to an end.
Joining Bishop James in giving words of hope and consolation to late Rev. Ugboaja’s church members and the family were Bishop Humphrey Erumaka of Wordbase Assembly, Ago, Lagos; Rev. I. Gideo and a host of other ministers of God from many churches—all of whom encouraged all not to mourn like people without hope or faith.
Bishop Erumaka urged Christian Life to take up the challenge of “ensuring that the church grows even bigger and better than Rev. Ugboaja left it.”
Prophet Ugboaja was born 60 years ago to the family of Pa Acho Ugboaja and Madam Lucy Ugboaja of Umuaja Amankwo community, Osokwa village, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, and devoted most of his life to working in God’s vineyard.
He is survived by his wife, Madam Stella Ugboaja, four children and grandchildren.