For Pastor (Mrs.) Constance Uzoamaka Madubuko (1959-2012), the final journey actually began at exactly 4.15pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012. This was when it dawned on the majority of those that came for her Service of Songs that indeed she’s no more. Kicking off with prayers, praise and worship took over – and lasted till 4.40pm.
Revival Assembly’s Higher Dimension Choir, of course, was in charge – with their leader, Pastor Sope Ilori, dishing out instructions where and when necessary.
THE ALTAR
Whaaoh! It was beautifully decorated. With her pet name – C-O-N-N-I-E – boldly and unmistakably mounted for all to see.
HER WIDOWER AND CHILDREN
Pastor Connie’s widower, Apostle Anselm Madubuko, adorned a brownish Ankara on the first day and a white buba and sokoto on the second day. His mood could be rightly summed up as pensive on the two days. Obviously weighed down by the demise of the love of his life, he rarely betrayed his emotions unlike his daughters (Velma and Sandra) and some church members who wept profusely as soon as a documentary on her life and times hit the screen as well as while her remains were being interred. The daughters, unlike their father, wore silky white gowns with designs on the neck all through the two-day event.
MEN OF GOD PRESENT
You could count those of them that were not there. From the known to the unknown, the big to the small, nearly all those that matter in the Body of Christ were there. We sighted Bishop Peace Okonkwo, Bishop Godwin Elomobor and wife, Bishop George Amu and wife, Bishop Tom Samson, Apostle Helen Ukpabio, Rev. Joseph Agboli, Bishop Lawrence Osagie, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, Rev. Dele George, Rev. Chris Okotie, Pastor Tony Olukoyede, Evang. Elishamah Ideh, Bishop N.E Moses, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, Bishop Onaolapo, Rev. Mercy Ezekiel, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Pastor Wilfred Lai, Pastor George Irabor and more. Much more.
CELEBS IN THE HOUSE
It was not an entirely servants of God affair. There was also a sprinkle of celebs. People like Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Eunice Efole, Vivian Agbonkhese, Myke Ikoku, Felix Duke, Kenny Saint Best, Odion Iruoje, Donatus Okonkwo, Lorrine and Voke Okotie, Francis Mbadiwe, Franca Brown, Maureen Amenechi, My Fair Lady, Rosemary Okeke, among others.
WHY HER ONLY SON WAS NOT AROUND
Anselm Madubuko, Jnr. was too close to his mummy. In fact, in spite of being married, he was still mummy’s boy till death separated them. He was indoors all through the two-day ceremonies because he couldn’t take it watching her remains being lowered on earth. And forever too!
WHEN NEARLY EVERYBODY WEPT
Only the stone-hearted could have resisted it. Immediately the moving documentary capturing her life and times came on the big screens, tears began to pour. From East, West, North and South.
ONCE A SHOW MAN…
Always a show man. That’s Rev. Chris Okotie for you. Assigned the duty of preaching on the first day, he mounted the altar with so much drama, singing and speaking in tongues at the same time. His message also was delivered in his usual heavy grammar, spiced up with Latin and Greek. A very good preacher, Okotie dazzled and dazzled. Conclusively, he urged all to rejoice because “Connie made it”. According to him, he saw her in his dream standing at the balcony of heaven…
THE PRESIDENT’S ENTOURAGE
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan sent his condolences. Even though time did not permit him to come, he dispatched a powerful delegation led by Mr. John Kennedy Okpara – and his letter of condolences which they read to the full house moved many.
THE UNDERTAKER
The Tunji Okusanya – led MIC Undertakers clinched the deal and they didn’t disappoint one bit. From the men they deployed to carry the casket to their band members, the hearse used to their comportment, everything was okay. Adorning gray suits with lilac shirts and matching ties, they arrived at Vaults and Garden in Ikoyi at exactly 12.05pm. Pastor Connie’s remains were interred at 12.20pm, with Pastor Chris Okotie and Bishop John Osa-Oni as the officiating ministers, after all the cemetery formalities had been sorted out.
AND PAUL OBAZELE WEPT
Actor and producer, Paul Obazele, had a wonderful relationship with the deceased. Little wonder as soon as the dust to dust rites were completed, and the tomb was being covered, he broke down and wept like a baby.
ORDER OF DUST TO DUST
The chief mourner, Apostle Anselm Madubuko, led the pack. Followed by his daughters, sister, brother, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, men of God who officiated, etc. Madubuko’s younger brother (Chris) also gave the vote of thanks. This was at exactly 12.31pm. The ‘Grace’ was shared at 12.35pm, and one after the other the crowd that came to bid her farewell started dispersing.
HER FAVOURITE LACE AND GLASSES
Pastor Connie was fashionable in her life time. However, there was this light green lace that she loved so much. Because of her attachment to the dress, it was chosen for her final journey home – and her glasses which hardly left her face also. The only thing that was missing as she laid in state that solemn Friday morning was her head tie, which she had a unique way of tying. Apparently, no one could tie it like her, so the family decided against that.
PRAYERS, PRAYERS…
That’s what Apostle Madubuko has been doing since the demise of his wife. The one he prayed, alongside other men of God hours after the burial, was so powerful and spirit-filled that people are still talking about it.
WHY OKOTIE PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE
Madubuko and his late wife used to be with Household of God Church. So, it could be rightly said that they embraced God there. Secondly, Madubuko and Okotie were good friends in their university days – even up until they left his church to start Revival Assembly. Afterwards too, he enjoyed a good relationship with Pastor Connie.