By Veronica Okolo
The remains of Deaconess Rose Uchola was last Friday 16th December laid to rest in her ancestral home of Unale in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, amid tears of relations, colleagues, friends and acquittances who came in large crowd to pay their last respect.
Deaconess Rose Ukwo Uchola, a committed member of living Faith Church, died at her residence behind 500 Housing Unit Quarters while preparing to attend the church convenant prayer at the early hour of the morning of that faithful day when the harbinger of death knocked at her door.
The deceased who was a member of the Nigeria Union of journalist, Kogi State council, was also a former Vice chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalist, Kogi State chapter.
Deaconess Rose , a graduate of Mass Communication from University of Maiduguri, started her journalism practice at the state own Newspaper, The Graphic where she rose to the post of senior reporter before transferring her service to the supervising ministry , the information, served in various ministry’s and department in the capacity as Public Relations Officer (PRO).
Pastor Peter Emmanuel of Living Faith Church, lokoja who perform the funeral rites, in his sermon, taken from Isaiah 28:3 with the theme: “why I must, set my home in order” said death does not give permission and so we need to know the reason so that we would not be cut short.
According to him, the way of one’s life and how one served God determined one’s prepareness, adding that Rose served God deligently in her life time and today, the testimonies spoke for her.
Pastor Emmanuel admonished mourners to flee from sin and shun all unrighteous things as these, he said would separate them from God.
Speaking at the occasion, the resident pastor Living Faith church 500 unit Lokoja, pastor Stephen Olobatoke said let no one’s heart be troubled because Deaconess Rose Uchola was already living in heaven and as such had left a legacy worthy of emulation.
In the same vein, the chairperson of the Nigeria Association of women journalist, Mrs Ann Olurinde said Deaconess Rose Uchola was a strong member of the Association who was fearless, truthful, committed and dedicated whose overwhelming support would be missed.
The deceased, an author and a quintessential mother of faith , the chairperson, said Rose would be remembered for her service to God and humanity.