Femi Otitoju and Toye Fisher
Reviewing his life journey so far, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Senator Victor Ndoma‑Egba has asserted that life was an undulating wave of sweat, sadness and sorrow, which he said could only be made more bearable and meaningful by God.
Senator Ndoma-Egba who spoke on Sunday, March 8, 2026, during a thanksgiving service held to mark his 70th birthday at the Gaudium et Spes Institute, Abuja, where family members, friends, well wishers, associates gathered to felicitate him, stressed that his life had witnessed various trials, tribulations, travails as well as many triumphs, sustained only through the grace of God.
His words: In one week I buried my mother-in-law on Thursday and my cousin on Saturday. Shortly after that, the EndSARS protests led to the destruction of my house in Calabar, where many of my personal records and valuables were kept. But God gave me the grace to pass through all of that.”
He also spoke about health challenges that once threatened his life, revealing that at a point doctors had given him only a few months to live
“I went through depression and even asked God to take my life. But later, I returned to the altar and prayed for forgiveness, asking God for another chance. Today I stand here as a testimony to the power of prayer.”, he said to the amazement of the congregation.
The service which was so touching, evoking the imageries of life and death with the atmosphere cloaked with empathy, saw the former Senate Leader waxing philosophical and eloquently metaphorical, citing Psalm 121 as his favourite passage in the Bible, which he described as comforting and sustaining, just as he urged people to be closer to God in their journey of life.
On his initial plan to mark his 70th birthday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria revealed that he had initially resolved not to celebrate the platinum anniversary because he intended to present a Marian shrine he was building in Cross River State as a birthday gift to the Church. However, delays in funding prevented the project from being completed in time.
“At 70, I had no plans to celebrate,” he said. “I am building a Marian shrine at Akpabi in Cross River State through the encouragement of my parish priest, Fr. Charles Etime. My hope was to complete it and dedicate it as my birthday gift to the Church. But the ways of God are not our ways. The funds did not come as expected, and I could not complete the project in time. If it is not done now, by God’s grace it will be completed before my next birthday.”
The former Senate Leader said his decision to hold the thanksgiving service at the Gaudium et Spes Institute was deliberate, saying he wanted guests to witness the development projects currently underway at the centre, where he serves as Chairman of the Development Committee.
“I could have taken the celebration to larger churches like Holy Trinity or the Church of the Assumption,” he said. “But those churches already have enough facilities. I brought you here so that you can see what we are trying to build. We still have a long way to go, and before you leave today, you must contribute something to this project.”
He explained that the institute has grown from a modest bungalow into a major facility with about 48 rooms designed to accommodate visitors and provide spiritual and social services.
“This used to be a small bungalow,” he noted. “Today we have an edifice with about forty-eight rooms. We have priests and spiritual directors here, and the centre also offers support services to people battling drug addiction. Drug abuse does not recognise religion or social status. When people come here with such challenges, they will find listening ears and support. So this is not just a church building; it is a centre addressing a major social problem.”
The celebrant therefore urged guests to prioritise contributions to the church project rather than bringing him personal gifts.
“If you intend to give me any gift, give it to this church first,” he appealed. “From whatever remains, you may bring something to my house for the reception. I will not celebrate 70 again. If you do something for this church, then you have done it for me.”
Earlier in his sermon titled “Encountering God Through Our Desert Seasons,” the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Louiz-Marie Mfon, reminded worshippers that difficult periods are inevitable in life.“Desert seasons are those moments when things do not go well,” he said. “They are times when we receive unexpected news at the hospital or face circumstances that distort our memories. Even great men in the Bible doubted God during their dry seasons.”
He emphasised the need for individuals, families and communities to prepare themselves spiritually and emotionally to withstand such periods.“In life’s journey there will be moments of drought,” he added. “We must train ourselves, our children and our marriages to endure those seasons. Above all, in every phase of life, we must encounter Jesus.”
Fr. Mfon cited Ndoma-Egba’s personal experiences as examples of overcoming life’s trials, particularly the loss of his wife and other personal challenges.
However, the reception of the visitors was later moved to his house where associates, family members, well wishers and friends were fulsome in their tributes to a life devoted to sacrifice and service to humanity.The Chairman of the occasion and former Senate President, David Mark, described Ndoma-Egba as a dependable leader and loyal colleague.
“Today we celebrate a life of love, achievement, legacy and impact,” Mark said. “The peace and stability we enjoyed in the Senate during my tenure did not come without Victor. As Senate Leader, he played a critical role. He is also a wonderful friend and a man who values time.”
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Prof Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole who invited his predecessor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina and other university principal officers to join him in pain tributes to the celebrant described Ndoma-Egba as an approachable and disciplined leader.
“He is a leader with listening ears,” Prof. Ogunwole said. “You can approach him anywhere and he will listen attentively. At the same time, he is a disciplinarian who believes strongly in doing things the right way.”
The event attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria and the diaspora, including Bayo Ojo (SAN) and former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, alongside governors, senators, principal officers and staff of the university.
Among the FUOYE officials present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Tajudeen Opoola (Administration), Prof. Babatunde Afolabi and Prof. B. J. Omotosho; the Bursar, Dr. (Mrs.) Bolanle Debo-Ajagunna; the Registrar, Alhaji Mufutau Ibrahim; the University Librarian, Dr. Olabide Olajide; and Director of Directorate of Public Affairs and Communication (DIPAC), Dr. Sunday Saanu; and the Protocol Officer, Mr. Abiodun Oloniniyi, among other council members and staff.
Others are:Engr. Prof. Adekunle Adefemi (council member), Mr. Olushola O. Taiwo (council member), Prof. B. Bolaji (council member), Mr. Fagbamila Adeniyi (Library), Mr. Olawale Osho (registry), Mr. Egunjobi Akinyemi (Council Affairs Officer), Mr. Owoeye Olumide (Council affairs unit), Mr. James O. James (Council Affairs), Mr. Otitoju Femi (DIPAC), Mr. Toye Fisher( DIPAC), Mr. Adedeji Abiodun A. (Works and Services), Mr. Agbaje P. Toyin ( Works and Services), Mr. Adewumi Damola (Works and Services).
Photo Credit: Toye Fisher
