Elder Idika Ochu is 103 in 2018
Reminiscences: ‘I met God Early in my Life, No Regrets Serving God’ –Eld. Ochu @103
Popular wishes of humans abound but most popular among them are wishes for good health and long life. We believe that once there is life, there is hope. Though many pray and even pay ransoms and make atonements to have longevity, it is unfortunate that just a very few are fortunate to have it.
Elder Idika Ochu belongs to the fortunate class. At 103 years, the native of Ndi-Uduma-Awoke in Ohafia, Abia State, Nigeria is still strong and stylish. Although time has taken a toll on him, constraining him to slither about his businesses with the aid of a walking-stick, Pa Ochu still carries the quick air of a businessman which he was. His son, Isaiah Idika confirmed that Pa Ochu transversed the length and breadth of Nigeria acting out his trade on various wares.
Pa Ochu was outstanding in the congregation on Sunday in Abuja. Head covered by full hairs in the colour of greyish silver, yet energetic and enthusiastic. Soon after his arrival in the church, smart phones stated beeping and chattering with their shutter sounds. It was Ochu’s admirers trying to take his photograph. Even the man of God at the Alter took some times off to compliment Ochu’s age and temerity.
But his story is not as simple as that. In an encounter with our correspondent after the service, the 103-year old over and over again stated that the Almighty God preserved his life to allow him do more of the work of God. At 103 years, just 1 year younger than Nigeria since amalgamation, Ochu still shudders responsibilities including walking to the Ndi-Uduma-Awoke Presbyterian Church in his neighborhood and ringing the church bell daily by 4:30 am to bring worshippers to morning prayers.
“My name is Elder Idika Ochu. I am an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. I am from Ndi-Uduma-Awoke Ohafia. I was small (young) when I started serving God. There is no regret, I have no regret following God. And I thank God for preserving my life. It is not easy to serve God, but with prayers and commitment, God will make it easy for you. My life is not about the things I eat or the life-style I live, I can eat anything that is edible. I just pray and eat them. It is entirely about the grace of God. I have always wanted to serve God. Today, I am 103 years and I am still responsible for ringing the church bell as early as 4:30 AM daily to wake people up and make them come for morning prayers in Ndi-Uduma-Awoke. I am still the chief of Ndi-Okpu and I still take due responsibilities”, he told Discover Africa News.
Pa Ochu also reminiscenced about life in about 100 years ago when he said life was better. He was already a full-grown man at 45, when Nigeria got her independence in 1960. So, he has all the experiences to talk about political leadership in Nigeria. He could have been born just a year after Fredrick Lord Lugard amalgamated the southern and northern protectorate which gave birth to Nigeria in 1914.
Pa Ochu said: “Life was better when I was growing up. When Zik of Africa (Nnandi Azikiwe) was our leader. We trusted our leaders and they were trust worthy. When they said they would do this, we were rest assured that they would do it. It is not the same as what we have today. Our leaders, the politicians of today are killing us. They give us promises and they fail to fulfil them. It is bad”, he said.