Village Blessed in Tribute

The doctor examines a child.

CBN Nigeria recently honored the memory of Ina Omakwu by offering a medical mission and drilling a well in his home village. Ina was CBN's regional director for Anglophone West Africa before his recent death.

Upu is a village in Benue state and is Pastor Ina's home. It is about five hours by road from Abuja and has a population of about 3,000 people. The inhabitants of Upu village are multi-religious even though the majority are Christians. The community has no good drinking water. They rely on water from a flowing river about one and a half kilometers from the village.

The pharmacy

The medical mission took place in the disused local community health facility. The program was intended to provide free medical service to the underprivileged in that community thereby extending to them the love of Christ.

To the glory of God, there was a large turnout of people at the medical mission. People came from the neighboring villages. Many people, resigned to suffer because they couldn't raise funds needed for their treatment, came to the medical mission and received both spiritual encouragement as well as medicines for their ailments.

Counseling a patient

The local government chairman Godwin Obla who visited the medical mission said, "I am excited to see this kind of spirit. Well done, and thank you very much for coming to my community. People are very poor here. They can't even afford to pay for the registration card in the empty general hospitals we have here. Even those who are desperate, needing assistance for their health, end up been advised to buy drugs from outside the hospital. This happens because the drugs are not there.

"Your coming is indeed a blessing to my community. Many people have died here because they could not treat themselves because of their poor condition."

The line at the clinic

The chairman went ahead to plead with CBN to partner with him in fighting the devastating effect of the AIDS pandemic in Benue state. He said, "We need your help. AIDS is killing our people. Those who already have it need you to come and encourage them. Those yet to be affected need special encouragement. I am ready for us to partner with you in your humanitarian services."

One of the volunteer counselors John Adakole said,. "Your coming has brought hope to us and has strengthened our witness. We will take the challenge to provide follow-up for the new converts. You have done what other organizations could not do. We appreciate your love and services here in our community." Mr. Adakole heads up an Evangelistic organization --Towards Revival -- in Idoma Land.

Registration for the clinic

The attendance at the medical mission was overwhelming. People came as early as 5 a.m. queue up every morning of the mission. Even Fulani herdsmen and their children were ministered to during the program.

1,227 people were treated and 419 people made decisions to follow Chrsit as Savior. A further 188 people were healed. Many people tested positive for the AIDS virus and also received prayer and counseling.

We give God the glory for this result. Given the number of volunteer personnel that turned up, God demonstrated his power once again through this medical mission.

Testing the new well

Upu well was commissioned on October 4, 2003 by CBN General Manager Felix Oisamoje. The well commissioning attracted prominent leaders in the village including the village Chief Aledienu Isha who was overwhelmed with the gift of the bore well.

Because of the unique nature of the well, Pastor Ina's mother Mrs. Ocheanya Omakwu was given time to express her appreciation after the official dedication of the well. She said, "I thank, I thank you, I thank you so much for giving us the well. My people are happy. God bless you. Thank you for everything you have done for my people."

Chief Aledienu said, "I am grateful on behalf of my community to CBN for remembering us, Pastor Inalegwu's people. What you have done in this village, we will never forget. God bless you. You have wiped our tears. Thank you for giving us water. As we drink this water we will remember that you love our son Pastor Inalegwu Omakwu and his family and the entire community."

Villagers say, "Thank you."

Pastor Ina's younger sister thanked CBN for the love and concern, and she said, "I thought when our brother died, that was it. For you to have remembered us is incredible. Thank you and God bless you."

An outreach was organized the same day the well was commissioned. 374 people heard the gospel message through watching the video, AIDS Breaking The Silence. 93 people responded to the message and prayed to receive Christ as Savior.