The Lord knows the days of the upright ; and their inheritance shall be for ever.
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied . Psalm 37: 18,19 .
Pa Victor Babafemi Okpaise , aged 85 , went Home to be with the Lord ,recently , after a life well-spent in the service of God and of humanity.
He was the son of Pastor Daniel O. Okpaise of the Christ Apostolic Church , Uhonmora-Ora and Lady Evangelist , Mrs Mary A. Okpaise, a Princess of Ido-ani ,Ondo State , Nigeria.
Pa Victor Okpaise started his working life as a young cadet in the Nigeria Prisons Service in the 1940's where he rose to the rank of Controller of Prisons.
He retired from the Federal Prison Service after decades of meritorious service and afterwards, he spent his life as a pensioner , serving as a community and Christian leader in Benin City , Nigeria.
He was much loved and revered as a kind,gentle and highly respected counsellor,mentor, supporter and "Father" by hundreds of people, both within and outside his family.
For me and my brothers and sisters, he was not only our much-loved and cherished uncle; he was our good friend , mentor and Father .
We believe his gentle soul has rested in the Lord.
He has left a big vacuum and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him .
"Papa" was laid to rest in his home town ; Avbiose , Edo State, Nigeria, on Saturday 6th of March, 2010.
His funeral ceremony was of a carnival proportion; attended by over 1,000 people from his family and hundreds of well-wishers from within and outside Nigeria.
The four-day ceremony started on Thursday 4th March, with a Service of Songs in his residence in the G.R.A., Benin City and ended after his burial on Saturday 6th March; with a Thanksgiving and Outing Service on Sunday 7th March , 2010 .
" Surely he shall not be moved forever : the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance". Psalm 112:6
For his sons and daughters:
Mr. Stephen Okpaise
Mr. Akinola Okpaise
His Brother and Sisters:
1. Mrs. Oyerolawe Olajumoke
2. Mrs. Grace E. Izevbekhai
3. Mrs. Victoria I. Edgal
4. Mrs. Lydia D. Akhihiero
5. Mrs. Josephine Ikharo
6. Mrs. Janet Akhibi
7. Mr. Israel Okpaise
For Cousins:
Kabiyesi Oba Alaiyeluwa ,The Alani of Ido-Ani
Rev. Ben Okpaise.( C.A.C. Headqtrs.)
Princess Adele Atewogboye.
Surveyor Sunday Okpaise.
Pastor Olurotimi Okpaise
Mr. Olutoyin ("Tito") Okpaise
For Nephews and Nieces :
Senator (Dr.) Bode Olajumoke
Mrs. Ibitayo Aro (nee Olajumoke)
Dr.( Mrs.) Victoria E. Edet (nee Edgal)
Mr. Tunde Olajumoke
Mr. Augustus Osamede Edgal
Barrister Peter Akhihiero
Mrs. Mabel B. Ufua (nee Izevbekhai)
Pastor Olufemi Omokhua Edgal
Mr. Chris Ikharo
Mr. Frank Akhibi