Ifueko Benedicta Uwaifo

It gets tough by the day as the memories of the times we shared and the plans we had for the future keeps fresh in my mind at all times. For every step I reflect on what comment you would have made. Owen and I talk about you all the time, if I feel this way, I keep wondering how he is feeling but I have the consolation that God will comfort and console him and that you are right there interceding and directing him all the way as his "special angel". The gap you left is too much to fill in. May God grant you eternal rest and us all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss, amen. My darlyn Sister and Friend, Rest with the angels!

U can shed tears that she is gone or u can smile because she has lived.
U can close ur eyes and pray that she comes back or u can open ur eyes and see all she has left.
Ur heart can be empty because u can't see her or u can be full of the love u shared.
U can turn ur back on tomorrow and love yesterday or u can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
U can remember her and only that she is gone or u can cherish her memory and let it live on.
U can cry, close ur mind and be empty and turn ur back or u can do what IFUEKO would have wanted SMILE, OPEN UR EYES, LOVE, SERVE GOD AND GO ON.
REST IN PEACE IYEOWA!!!!AMEN. ADIEU my beloved sister till we meet again.
May u continue to live in our hearts forever, may ur soul n the soul of daddy n the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God all Rest In Peace AMEN.
I will miss u dearly Love u forever!!!!!

As i think of the memories we had together, I also wish you were here to create more memories for the future.
Mama! sincerely, its really really tough to bear, only God can see us through.
Rest in peace my darlyn and always know that we will always love you! 

Ifueko my dearest friend, you were a light amongs your friends most especially my life. When my dad died and you knew I was already an orphan you said  Omua Ojo God will always be your helper but I will share with you whatever I have and guess what you always did. You were such a wonderful daughter and sibling the way you use to take care of them when we were on holidays. You touched the hearts. Ifueko I will miss you but God knows best. Love you my friend

I was tired after spending two nights with you in your recovery room. So, I decided to take a short nap. Suddenly in my sleep I heard your gentle voice call my name, ‘Arese’. I woke up with a start, looked towards your bed and saw you were awake. I rushed to your side and asked if you called me. You said no, but ‘I am tired’ can I have juice or water? I am thirsty’. I said, “I am not sure it is time for you to drink anything yet”. You said, just give me a little, the nurse will not know. I smiled, you said ‘I am tired’, I said okay I will call the nurse and doctor to attend to you. You said, I have so much work to do, where is my laptop? I said it was with you. Then I asked ‘how many days did you take off work’? You said you took medical leave of about 1.5 weeks. So, I said don’t worry, when you are recovering at home you will have time to work. I reassured you that you will soon be fine, and you said okay. Arese when are you going home? Later tonight I said, then you said, “Thank you so much for coming to stay with me in the hospital. I then stepped out for the doctor and nurses to attend to you. But before I left, I started playing “Onise Iyanu” worshiping God on my phone and placed it around your bedside so you can listen and give praise to your most high God.

I came back after some quiet time with Uyi at the reception. At that time you were breathing hard and the medical team were trying to diagnose what was wrong.

I started praying, asking God the Father, Jesus the son, and God the Holy Spirit to take over and turn the situation around together with the intercession of our Mother Mary (with the praises playing in the background). At a point I asked the medical team if they believed in God and were in agreement with the prayers, they said “yes”, So I continued. Uyi joined me while the others were busy making alternate arrangements for moving her. I did not want to leave her side even when the doctors were doing their job. I prayed, sang and cried unto God believing without a doubt that He would turn the situation around and that it will be a testimony for us to offer thanksgiving in appreciation afterwards. Little did I know that we were preparing Ifueko to meet her Saviour. At a point, I told Uyi to leave the place then I continued praying till she gave her last breathe. I still kept praying and singing. After a while I called Fr. Ray, he did not pick, so I called Fr. Godswill, because I could not just give up like that. He was asking questions, I said Father, just pray. I put the phone on speaker, then put it on her lap and joined him in prayers. The doctor looked at me, then I said he should go and tell her hubby. I continued praying with the nurses, then Uyi came in and said she was going to call a priest from St Dominic. I was there praying, putting my face on her legs, hands and body, it was still warm and normal, I had hoped that she would wake up and call my name asking what was happening around her.

Fr. Ray finally returned my call, I told him what happened he asked “are you with her, is she still warm? I said yes, he said start making the sign of the cross on her chest, calling on God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit while we pray and hear from the Lord.

At that time the place was noisy, it was difficult to concentrate, Father said Arese focus, close your eyes let us do this, we can connect with her and call her back but it is her ultimate decision if she wants to come back to us or be with her God. So, I continued………..

“Then I saw a house with a door in the woods, he said walk towards the door, I went forward, took the steps to the front porch and walked towards the door. I opened it and saw our Lord Jesus with his back towards me clothed in white robe. I said oh my Lord, running towards him, and bowed down saying “Lord Jesus, help me! Where is Ifueko?, I was on the floor crying holding his leg then I prayed Mother Mary, help me tell your son Jesus to bring Ifueko back, then I saw Mary walk towards me. Jesus stretched forth his hand, rubbed my shoulder, patted me on my back without a word and I had the assurance that everything will be fine. They continued walking and stepped out of the house through the back, and at this time Mary was beside him and there was some one else there too but I was too focused to see who it was. As we stepped out of the house into the pathway with trees, I saw her looking like an angel in her favorite blue jalabia with a smile on her face. You can imagine my excitement when I saw her, Jesus extended his hand to her, so she held Jesus and Mary and walked with them, she would look back smiling towards me at intervals. I kept crying, walking behind them holding unto Jesus, then I realized we were walking toward a huge gate like that of a castle.. I cried harder, Ifueko let us go back please Owen needs you, what about mummy how will she handle this? I cannot tell her you are no more She turned back, smiled and continued walking on the pathway towards the gate. I stepped forward holding Jesus and also trying to hold Ifueko’s hand. We got to the gate and it was closed. I cried, begging her to come back with me. After a while the gate opened and there was a strong light that blinded my eyes I could not see any more. Then I understood it must be the Glory of God. I started singing “Show me your Glory Lord” bowing down in adoration, suddenly it dawned on me that my darling sister had made her decision and was happy to be with her Lord. I stopped crying and started praying for your soul to be accepted by God. I even called on Daddy to intercede for you knowing that it was your time. Then I started praying, asking for eternal rest and the repose of your soul. Then I started screaming to Fr. Ray on the phone, “she wants to go” and wept uncontrollably, because it struck me what has really happened”. Philippians 3:20-21

 

Ifueko, you have fought the good fight, you have finished your race, what is left is mine, that of the church and that of the family and friends you left behind :2 Timothy 7-8. We all must die one day, a day we do not know, are we prepared for it?

My beloved sister lived a selfless life. She had an unassuming personality, she was very generous to a fault not only to her immediate family but also to others she did not know personally. Ifueko did not only have faith in God but followed it with good works. Rev 14: 13.

 

You live in our hearts always dearly cherished Ifueko (Iyeowa)!

 

Yours forever, 

Arese- Lucia (Gaskii).

I wake up each day with so much heaviness in my heart and then the events of the 18^th hits me………………

I remember though being a little girl I watched you take care of our grandma living with us till her death and I used to ponder on how you had the strength and courage to take care of her so well…

I remember how you used to be in charge of the kitchen being the first daughter of the family, O fueks you always would sacrifice your food to ensure we had enough sauce to eat with our Yam, Wow!  you were so selfless.

I remember your fight with cancer 10years ago, I was so distraught, O how you were such a fighter you went through it all and yet you conquered, cancer couldn’t take you away from us, I called you our “Baal Perazim” (2 Samuel 5:20).

I remember the excitement and pride I felt within, when you came out with a distinction after your studies at Dundee, you had been through so much and I was so happy you were getting the best.

I remember how you always would go shopping with me for any of my events , I really always looked up to you for guidance.

I remember how we all, three sisters used to chat and gossip endlessly on our Whatsapp group “Divas”, those were fun times, but as usual you always took so long to read your chats...

I remember how you would send me pictures of Owen you wanted to merge and put up on your DP, you were so not techy…..

I remember how I used to tease you about being addicted to dark colours due to your profession, but u had some coloured casual ones too, those you called your happy dresses

I remember how I almost dislocated your wrist when labour pains hit me, lol, I was screaming at you to please help me , and you gave me a reassuring look and prayed and I somehow knew it would all be ok.

I remember my struggle to give u a peck at every given opportunity and you would clean it off and scream

I remember my early calls to you at the office just to harass and tease you on insignificant stuff, and scold you for not returning my calls am sure Silas can attest to that. I will surely miss u

I remember my stop over at your house practically every morning on my way to work just to see you guys and make fun.

I remember how you always referred to my hubby by his full name “Eghomwanre” and he would never fail to remind you that he was your favorite in-law and you would laugh, O how we adored you!

I remember how we your siblings always convened at your home looking forward to your delicious and mouth-watering delicacies.

I remember my calls to you on tips while trying out meals for the first time, I owe all my culinary skills to you my dear fueks.

So many memories.....so many......................

I love you deeply my sweet Mama and will forever hold you dear to my heart! 

 

 

 

At Fediben:

Ifueko was a house prefect at Amina house and a few years my senior. She had every opportunity to be wicked or use her position to terrorise the juniors. She did the very opposite! In fact, I remember her protecting many of us juniours from some seniors. I admired her as a seniour student. Fast forwared a few years...

As my sister-in-law: Gentle natured and softly spoken. Everyone seems to remember your smile/laugh...Wonderful virtuous wife and mother. No one can take your place. Hustler and sharp babe! Ifueko, you did YOU! Gone TOOO soon. You live on in our hearts. Adieu.