By Danjuma Auta
Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State was brought to a standstill as the body of one of the ECWA Trustees Rev. (Dr.) Dayin Blani Waya who died recently was finally laid to rest.
Guest speaker, the ECWA President, Rev (Dr) Stephen Baba Panya, urged believers to always prepare to meet the Lord any time God calls.
Speaking on the topic, “Making death your friend,’’ the cleric reminded believers to always ensure that dead is part of their daily plans as when dead comes knocking, there can never be any resistance, hence the best way to welcome dead is by preparing for it and making it your friend.
Taking his reading from the book of 1Corinthians. 15:12-29, Rev. Panya stressed that dead is a natural phenomenon that as long as Christ tarry, it must happen to every living thing and for the believer dead must be seen as a sure way of transforming to the heavenly glory as all those that died in Christ will surely be raised with Him.
He declared that ECWA is not mourning the dead of Baba Trustee DB Wayas, but have only come to rest physical body which his spirit has since left to God.
According to him, the Trustee had lived a life worthy of emulation by all and prepare his grave even before he died as a sign that he has already defeated dead and was already waiting for the transformation of his physical body.
He added that the church will continue to build on the legacies of its founding fathers which Baba Wayas was part of it.
In a tribute, the Executive Governor, Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, described the death of Baba D.B Wayas as a great loss not only to the good people of Nasarawa state, but Nigeria at large as according to him, Baba Wayas died at the time his fatherly advice was needed most.
Represented by the state deputy governor, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, the governor called on the family and ECWA to ensure that the good legacies of the departed hero kept alive and called on the people of the state to be comforted in the fact that Baba Wayas departed this sinful world peacefully with God and the state will always remember his wise council while he was a live.
In a brief remark, wife of the deceased, Mama Saratu Waya, said that she had lived with baba for 65 years as his wife in a journey that was characterized with love, joy and fulfillment and described him as her best friend, brother and husband who served as her spiritual pillar through tough and light times.
She added that his tight schedules in the past 65 years of their marital life did not hindered him from being an excellent husband who did everything possible to ensure the wellbeing of his family and the people around him.
Mama Saratu stressed that Baba Waya was a man who was focused on nothing but the spiritual growth of everyone that comes across him, adding that he worked so hard for the growth of the church and his entire community building peaceful coexistence amongst all people in Nasarawa state.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the eldest son of the deceased, Rev. (Dr) Abraham Waya, thanked everyone for coming to celebrate the life well spend of their father and said that the family was consoled in seeing the multitude that has turned out for the funeral of their father.
He stated that their late father lived for the gospel of Christ and was very passionate about evangelism, caring for the poor and the needy, and showing love to all humanity.
The Aren Eggon Dr. Bala Abaine Angbazo and the Chun Mada, HRH. Mr. Samson Gamu Yare, in a separate messages described the late D.B Waya as a God fearing general that have served faithfully in the Lord’s army before retiring to be with His maker in heaven.
According to the two traditional rulers Baba waya was very instrumental to the success of their leadership as traditional heads of the people in Nasarawa state.
In a message on behalf of ECWA, the General Secretary Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, described the demise of Trustee D.B. Waya as a deep loss for the church because Baba was a dedicated and focused man of God who served the Lord in his lifetime.
He added that the deceased was a committed servant of God who never missed any of the General Church Council Meetings except when he was ill.
He added that Baba Waya will be fondly remembered for his zeal in pressing home any issue of concern for the progress of ECWA and humanity.
The occasion was witness by top government functionaries, retired and serving military officers, clergies from all denominations, ECWA Pastors, Traditional rulers and many others. Central choir, Gada zone and the women fellowship choir Keffi DCC rendered songs rendition.
Baba Trustee Waya left to mourn him, his wife Saratu Waya, four children, ten grandchildren, two grandsons and many adopted children, he was finally interned in a grave prepared by him in the family compound in Akwanga Nasarawa state.