It was a deeply emotional celebration of love and gratitude as Mrs. Gloria Adaugo described her husband, John-Maria Chibuninem Egesi, who recently turned 80, as much more than a husband, calling him her father, friend, brother, confidant, counsellor and guide.
Speaking at a thanksgiving celebration organised to mark Egesi’s 80th birthday, Gloria said her husband had been a remarkable gift from God, whose presence had brought her immense respect and support within the family.
“I don’t know what I did for God to give me this man,” she said emotionally, adding that despite not being the oldest in the family, she was widely regarded as a mother-in-law because of the respect accorded to her through her husband.
“In the family, I have so much respect. I’m not the oldest, but everyone calls me mother-in-law because of him,” she said.
‘Husband Is The Last, Last.’
Gloria’s tribute became one of the most touching moments of the celebration as she sought to explain the many roles Egesi has played in her life.
“First, he is my father, my friend, my brother, my confidant, my counsellor, he’s my dibia (native doctor) — everything I eat, drink, everything that enters my mouth, he directs me. Then he’s my husband. Husband is the last, last,” she said.
Egesi, in his own reflection on the journey to 80, acknowledged the important role his wife had played in his life, particularly her patience, sacrifices and willingness to accept his limitations.
The surprise birthday celebration, themed “8 Decades of God’s Grace and Faithfulness,” brought together family members, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to celebrate the octogenarian and reflect on the experiences that shaped his life.
Eight Decades By God’s Grace
Egesi attributed his longevity and life journey to God’s grace, love, service to humanity and the strength he draws from his Catholic faith.
Rather than viewing the occasion simply as a celebration of age, he described reaching 80 as a testimony of God’s faithfulness, particularly because longevity was not common in his family.
“I don’t come from a family where people live long,” he said, stressing that reaching the age of 80 was “by the grace of God.”
He also reflected on the meaning of love, insisting that genuine love should not be measured by material possessions.
“Money is not love,” he said, emphasising that the love that truly matters is the spiritual love that comes from God.
A Life Defined By Service
Another recurring theme in Egesi’s reflection was service to humanity.
He said he had acquired many “children” throughout his journey, embracing people from different ethnic backgrounds and treating them as members of his extended family.
He urged people to accept whatever God places before them and to see service to others as a responsibility rather than a burden.
According to him, life’s difficulties should not always be interpreted as divine punishment, as adversity can also help to build character, compassion and resilience.
“Crosses make us better people. It is crosses that make us charitable,” he said.
Egesi also cautioned against measuring a person’s worth by material possessions, such as the number of cars or houses owned, arguing that the true measure of life lies in accepting God, carrying life’s burdens and caring for others.
Faith Through Life’s Crosses
The celebrant devoted considerable attention to his Catholic faith, particularly the Blessed Sacrament, which he described as a major source of strength throughout his life.
He said the Eucharist had given him the grace and spiritual strength to endure challenges that might otherwise have overwhelmed him.
“The Blessed Sacrament extends life,” Egesi declared, explaining that it gives believers the strength to carry their burdens and continue their journey despite pain and adversity.
Recalling periods of severe difficulty and emotional distress, he said his faith helped him overcome moments when he felt close to giving up.
He also reflected on difficult experiences during and after the Nigerian Civil War, noting that surviving those periods reinforced his conviction that God had remained present throughout his life.
At 80, Egesi said he remained grateful for the opportunity to continue serving, advising and supporting others.
He urged his children, friends and guests to give glory to God, stressing that the ultimate measure of life should not be wealth or social status, but the grace to live meaningfully, love others, serve humanity and remain faithful to God
Other tributes came from friends, family members and colleagues, who described Egesi as a compassionate father, a dependable friend and a burden bearer, whose life has been marked by love, service and concern for others.