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July 31, 2026
Grief and gratitude came together as family members, friends, church members, and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the life of Late Deaconess Mrs. Fidelia Nwakaja Idris during a Christian wake keep service held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, ahead of her burial on Friday, July 31.
The solemn service followed a carefully arranged Christian order of worship, beginning with an atmosphere of praise and worship led by Evangelist Mathew Fashina. The congregation later joined in singing Hymn 327, led by Evangelist Bamidele Joseph, while Pastor Ezekiel Adegboyega offered the opening prayer, committing the gathering into God's hands.
One of the most touching moments of the evening came during a conversation with the deceased's immediate younger brother, who travelled from Lagos to attend the funeral rites. Speaking with emotion, he described Late Deaconess Mrs. Fidelia Nwakaja Idris as the first daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven of Imo State.
According to him, the deceased had been battling illness for some time. Despite her deteriorating health, the family remained hopeful that she would recover. He revealed that she had been placed on oxygen support approximately two weeks before her passing, but sadly lost the battle.
He also reflected on another painful chapter in the family's history, explaining that Mr. Godwin Nwakaja, the eldest sibling and first son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven, passed away about 17 years ago. His remarks highlighted the enduring strength of the family despite years of personal loss.
The wake keep continued with congregational hymns and scriptural readings from John 14:1–6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, and John 11:23–27. The selected passages reminded mourners of Christ's promise of eternal life and offered hope beyond earthly sorrow.
A brief history of the late Deaconess was presented, followed by heartfelt testimonies that painted a picture of a woman remembered for her faith, kindness, and commitment to God. Special musical renditions by the CAC Women Wing and Shiloh Voices further enriched the service, creating moments of reflection and comfort for those in attendance.
Delivering the exhortation, Pastor Peter Akerele encouraged mourners to remain steadfast in their faith, reminding them that while death is inevitable, Christians have the assurance of resurrection through Jesus Christ. He urged everyone present to live lives worthy of emulation, noting that the greatest tribute to the departed is to uphold the values they lived by.
The service concluded with prayers for the bereaved family, a session of thanksgiving, announcements, the closing hymn, and the benediction, bringing the wake keep to a peaceful close.
The final burial rites were held on Friday, July 31, 2026, as family members and loved ones gathered once again to bid Deaconess Mrs. Fidelia Nwakaja Idris a final farewell. Though tears flowed freely, the ceremonies reflected not only the pain of loss but also the celebration of a life devoted to faith, family, and service to God.
As the curtain fell on two days of remembrance, tributes, and prayers, one message echoed throughout the gatherings: while Deaconess Mrs. Fidelia Nwakaja Idris may be gone from earthly sight, the legacy of her faith and the memories she created will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.
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