Prof. Alabekee Chikwendu and his wife, Grace Mfon
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Last Sunday, it was as if the heavenly beings came down to the earth, as members of Faith Tabernacle Congregation, Owerri district celebrated more than 40 years of meritorious services in the house hold of God, with send forth to one of their own, Associate Professor Vincent Alabekee Chikwendu, as he resolved to henceforth be operating from his ancestral community, Okpala in Ngor Okpuala LGA of Imo State for higher selfless community services to God and humanity at large.
The two phased well attended historical programmes started with a church service at the church auditorium with Pastor Hyacinth Nwankwo, the District Pastor officiated with other clergies that included Pastors Ozurumba Ukanwanne , Princewill Alozie Chukwuemeka of Umuikaa district, Chibunna Benson of Okpala, Ezindu Nwaogu of Ife District and Felix Chinedu of Owerri Nkworji among others.
Nwankwo titled his message as, A Token Of Love which he said,the church wants to shower their beloved brother Alabekee as initiated by the begotten son of God, Jesus Christ and justified by His crucification by mankind and for the redemption of mankind.
The Pastor who presided over the district headquarters known as, A House of Prayer for All People, took his sermon from the biblical book of John 3 vs 16. as well as John 1 vs 11-12, preaching that it’s through His death and resurrection that mankind was redeemed to be the sons and daughters of God.
He further justified the church token of love to Alabekee by quoting John 3 vs 1-3, insisting that as the topic is Token Of Love which God extended mankind through His son , Jesus Christ, that the church is similarly extending same to their people like Alabekee and his family for rendering selfless and meritorious services to God and humanity.
The Man of God also read the biblical book of Philippians chapter 2vs5 justifying the essence of the congregation throwing her weight in bidding Alabekee farewell quoting again 1st John 1vs 9, that as sinners, men are compelled to genuinely confess their sins and forsake them, that God is faithful and merciful to forgive them and offer them grace so far there is genuine repentance.
He decried the attitude of calumny, blackmail, hatred and pull him down syndrome among brethren noting that the world is not our home, that as human beings we are just passing through.
There was harvest of inspirational christian melodious songs, rendered by the church angelic voices choir and the people felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in humility and fear of God.
During the second segment of the ceremony as jovial Alabekee and his wife wore well tailored, fitted and expensive sparkling satin lace, Mr. Abaeze Daniel, the Organizing Committee Chairman read the congregation’s address christened ” Discours D’ Adieu presented to Alabekee.
According to the congregation’s address,”our dearly beloved brother, Prof. Alabekee V.C., on this auspicious occasion of your send-forth, we the clergy and entire members of Faith Tabernacle Congregation, Owerri District are here gathered today to accord you and your family our most hearty “FAREWELL” on the relocation of your residence from Owerri township to your country home, Okpala.
“This farewell, though is not the end of all the bonds we created over the years, but it’s a goodbye to all the wonderful times we spent together brainstorming, organizing and executing various activities in the church.
“Today is remarkable; it marks the official end of yet another beginning in the annals of your lives and services to God and humanity.
“Brother Alabeke, (as we fondly call him); a poor orphan, 40 years ago precisely in 1984 adventured into Owerri from Okpala with only a School Certificate and pitched like every other Johnny Just come (JJC) as a tenant. He had no wife or children.
“He yielded his entire life with a total surrender to the services of God and humanity, honestly beyond imagination, and today has moved from a mere School Certificate holder to having an NCE, Degree, a Masters and PhD.
“He has also been elevated to a professorial cadre. A full-fledged orphan he was, but today God has blessed him with a wife and children.
“In the academic world, He has made a “name”. He has to his credit over 25 journal publications both in local and international journals. 2 books to his credit sole authored and other 10 as co-authorship apart from chapters’ contribution in over 8 books.
“He is an editor for many books and journals. Alabekee is widely travelled “Ajala travel all over the world” with over 9 different awards from reputable bodies, national and international.
“In community services, he is most visible. Chaired many organizations; local, national and international. He is also an astute entrepreneur of repute, having owned and/or managed many enterprises or establishments.
“Brother Alabekee is very gregarious in nature, yet he has served the church at one time or the other as Usher, Chairman, Secretary or member of numerous committees.
“He had at sundry times initiated and executed many programmes including one of the latest “MARTHA”.
“In this church, Faith Tabernacle Congregation, we are thought the virtues of humility and moderation in almost everything and so we don’t praise sing the glory of any man but God: This is why time will fail us to delve into the personal laurels of this colossus especially in the secular world within these useful years of his life trying to eke a living for himself and others
“Alabekee is married to an Akwa Ibom woman by name, Grace Mfom Alabekee nee Etukudo (from Idua Royal House, Eket).
“This woman felt the Faith Tabernacle experience in Owerri and with him. By now she had become a member of the choir and using only our local bible and hymn books despite her nativity. She is a graduate of Mass Communication of Abia State University, but was deprived of the taste of the white collar job because she had to cook and tend to over 18 to 20 people whom the family had housed and nurtured at various times.
“Prof. Alabekee is not retired from service but have chosen to go home to Okpala alive, healthy, fully accomplished and while the ovation is loudest.
“Now again in the church in Owerri here, one may make good to say that “nothing will be the same without you, but not to worry – you will always have a place in our hearts”. The reason, it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected. This is not really a goodbye our dear brother Alabekee; but this is a “thank You”, they stated.
Apart from the church members, especially the Men Fellowship that initiated the send forth programmes,there were litanies of testimonials for Alabekee who’s also the Traditional Prime Minister, TPM of his ancient but reverred autonomous community.
Representing the academia,Dr. Nixon Udeji who lectures in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri with the celebrant boldly said he’s the one managing Professor Alabekee Chikwendu and that he is not tired of doing same.
Udeji described him as an academic collosus and a man after God’s heart, in terms of charity and philanthropy noting that the popularity of the celebrant is globally attested and plans have been advanced to replicate the celebration in more befitting honour by his friends of academic family.
Responding, the celebrant with his amiable wife expressed gratitude to the organizers and invitees for their labour of love.
Alabekee with nostalgia reeled out a number of personalities that have fellowshiped with the church in the recent past but have answered the clarion calls of eternal life while thanking God for His grace and mercy upon him, his family and members of the church.
He revealed that his going to his ancestral home to base is a divine arrangements propelled by his wife, Grace Mfon Alabekee, unknownly to fulfilled his age long heart desire for attaining over the age of 60.
There was also showers of gifts from the church, members, friends, relatives and associates.
