Themed ‘A Life of Testimony and Thanksgiving’, friends and well-wishers joined the Nesiama and the Sagay families at the First Baptist Church in Warri, Delta State, to witness the Thanksgiving Service of a woman that is described as “…After God’s Heart, Mother, Leader, Mentor, Disciplinarian, and Teacher”, Deaconess (Emerita) Victoria Toritseju Nesiama, who turned 80 on Monday, May, 20, 2024.

The Birthday Thanksgiving Service of the Octogenarian which began 9am was officiated by Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa (of Christ Missionaries Crusaders Church), Rev. Justin Okoroji Jnr. PhD, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Best Agbolayah, Rev. G.O.T Aforijuku, Rev. Segun Adelakun, Pastor Matthew Osato, Pastor Tina Awala PhD, and Dcn Isaac Dighijor.

Among the seven children of the celebrant is Cdre Omatseye Nesiama “Okolokotuse” (rtd) popularly known as The Commodore of Hope, who contested in the 2023 general election for Delta South Senatorial District under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, and also recently was appointed as one of the referees that officiated at the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, which held from March 8 to March 23, 2024. Others are Elvis Edoh “Ogolo-eta! Od’ikpogiri”, Omawumi Efuah Nesiama “Irolobe”, Ete Irene Olopade “Ewule”, Omatseyione Nesiama “Igbarigba”, Dcn Omatsola Omiretsuli Nesiama, and Omabosanwa Sandra Nesiama “Esilokun Omoba”.

As part of marking their mother’s 80th Birth Anniversary, the children did a rendition of the octogenarian’s favourite devotional songs as well as shared in the testimonies. Other activities include other special rendition, the presentation of her biography, scripture reading, exhortation, a family thanksgiving and prayers for the celebrant and her family members.

According to the biography, “Deaconess (Emerita) Victoria Toritseju Nesiama (VT) nee Sagay, was born in Sapele on 20 May 1944. Her father was the late Pa Samuel Eyimofe Eyekpegha Sagay from the lineage of the Sagay dynasty of Aja-Sagay Amukpe in today’s Sapele Local Government Area and Magbamiren of Otefe Oghara in today’s Ethiope West Local Government Area, both in Delta State. Her mother was the late Mrs. Hannah Efuah Sagay from the Acquah family lineage of Saltpond belonging to the Fante ethnic group in Ghana Central Region.

“Deaconess VT grew up in Sapele with her parents and her other siblings. She spent time with her mother trading on foodstuffs and household items. She attended Modern School in Sapele and was at various times a relief school teacher.

“Deaconess VT Nesiama was the wife of the late Pa. Johnson Onoghoete Nesiama, who passed on to glory on January 24, 2010. They are blessed with 7 children and many grandchildren. Deaconess VT Nesiama has numerous non-biological children as evidenced in her daily life of prayers and supplication, contact and visitation, as well as felicitations and thanksgiving to God Almighty. Her dedication to the training and upbringing of her children is not only exemplary but also phenomenal. There are testimonies today of observations made years ago about her personally working with each of her children in support of their academic work.

“Deaconess VT Nesiama engaged in trading for significant period in her life. She bought and sold foodstuffs, wrappers, clothing and general merchandise at various times. She learnt and practiced sewing, knitting, confectionaries and other hand crafts as a vocation. Her commercial engagements did not distract her from a focused, dedicated care and attention for her husband and children. She made out time for the things that were important to her family, her well-being and her community. She always found a way to handle multiple responsibilities. Till date she is still referred to by the appellation, “Okun-obo O’la’agbede”. The interpretation is in her character as a woman of immense ideas and uncommon wisdom.”

On her Christian life, “Deaconess VT Nesiama was earlier baptized in 1952 in the Catholic Church as Cecelia Sagay. However, she became a member of the Baptist Church and was baptized into the membership of Bethel Baptist Church Sapale in 1958 by the Late Rev. J.A. Orikri. She was active in the church activities and participated fully in the Baptist Mission age group organizations including the Girls Auxiliary (GA) and then the Women Missionary Society (WMS) in Sapele, and later in Warri when she and her husband fully relocated to. She became a member of the First Baptist Church, Warri.

“In 1977, she re-dedicated her life to full service of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at a stewardship revival service where Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa ministered. From that day, there has been no turning back. Her resolve to work and walk with our Master Jesus Christ in life and ministry grew mightily and has prevailed. Hallelujah! She was ordained a Deaconess on September 18, 1988.

“She had at several times held positions of responsibilities and service in virtually every department of the church which fulfills the five (5) purposes of the church – Fellowship, Discipleship, Worship, Ministry, and Evangelism. Some of her assignments and positions include, President of the Women Missionary Union, Member Board of Deacons, First Female Superintendent of Sunday School, Leader of Church Training, and later Home Cell Fellowship, Advisor Royal Ambassadors, Member of Visitation and Welfare Committees, First Leader of the Itsekiri Intercessors Prayer Group where she served for 20 years.

“Deaconess VT Nesiama is unrelenting in her consistent fellowship with and learning at the feet of the Master Jesus Christ, She is a graduate of several discipleship programmes including the Master Life, Experiencing God, Christian Leadership Training Course, and others. She is a life Member of the Bible Society of Nigeria. There has not been and will never be any physical challenge that prevents her from doing God’s work… In Missions and Evangelism, she fulfills the three cardinal objectives of going, praying and giving. She has a personal commitment to support the welfare of mission field pastors on a regular monthly basis. The business of joining God at work is her lifetime commitment and God is still engaging her for kingdom work. Recently on June 14, 2023, she received and accepted the call of God to join the Baptist Soul Winning Band. She publicly acknowledged and testified to this divine call during church service on September 17. 2023. At the First Baptist Church, Warri.

“Her faithfulness to God is legendary and inspiring. There are numerous testimonies of these, and we will name a few here. Despite the challenges that made her not to physically attend the Nigeria Baptist Convention sessions in 2023, she quickly got acquainted with technology and participated virtually in all the convention sessions and meetings. Then on April 29, 2023, though the convention had closed, she made a trip to the Baptist International Conference Center to personally have a worship experience with God. What a determination!

“Deaconess VT Nesiama represents many things to many people. This is evident by the testimonies she and her family receive regularly. To some, she is one of a kind in the world. To some others, she is their world. We thank God for blessing this generation with the gift of her life and service to humanity. For us, the words of Abraham Lincoln hold true. That is, ‘no man is poor who has a Godly mother’.”

View more photos of the celebration on PENGlobal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/d5XRjx35XJtpH5Dh/?mibextid=oFDknk

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