More than 1,065 people paid their last respects to Olive Chelsey Chikperem Onwubuya, buried today, December 27, at the Epe cemetery in Lagos.

Olive, born on January 16, 1991 (34 ), would have turned 35 years on January 16, 2026, but died on November 19, 2025, as a result of a brief illness.

Olive was the CEO / Founder of Medical Apparels and O’exotic Drinks – SI WELL.

She left behind her husband, Caleb Onwubuya, two children (Sterling and Sheryl), her parents, Smart Mbagwu and Nkeiru Mbagwu, including her siblings, Smart Jnr, Carlson, and Fortune, as well as uncles and aunts, etc.

FUNERAL DISCOURSE

Joshua James Olufemi, a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses, delivered the funeral discourse held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at the Elf bus stop in Lekki, Lagos.

He told the over 1, 000 audience in- person /Zoom, that Olive, a regular pioneer – devoting 50 hours each month to helping others learn about God’s kingdom, had strong faith in her God Jehovah, and she served Him faithfully till death.

•Olive’s coffin is being taken out for burial after the funeral discourse in the Kingdom Hall .

Emphasising the Bible’s hope for the dead at John 3: 28, 29., Acts 24: 15, the minister assured the bereaved family and friends: “Olive has just lived the first phase of her life; in the future, she will be resurrected to live forever on a paradise earth.”

He added that while alive, Olive made a good name with God and was a source of comfort to every life she touched.

He said: ” A funeral reminds us of the brevity and uncertainty of life (Ec 9:11). The reality of death makes us think about how we are using our life (Ps 90:12).

By the way we live, we can make “a good name” with Jehovah God (Ec 7:1-4). Jesus said for us to store up treasures in heaven (Mt 6:19-21).

By our zealous works and godly conduct, we share in sanctifying Jehovah’s name (Pr 27:11)

The resurrection hope provides an incentive to learn and do God’s will (1Co 15:58; 1Ti 2:3, 4).

Those who do so can be certain that they will soon see their resurrected loved ones again.

We should use this occasion and the days ahead to comfort one another (1Th 5:11). As fellow believers, we can remind one another of our sure hope and provide emotional support (Pr 17:17).

We prayerfully look to Jehovah to give needed strength until he provides permanent relief (Ps 9:9, 10).”

MY OBIDIYA

•The couple and their children, Sterling and Sheryl. Credit: family album

In a memoir, Caleb Onwubuya, the husband of the deceased , recalled how they met the first time and fell in love: ” After a friend connected us, I already knew she was the one for me. She followed me. She supported me, respected me; loved me, protected me and prayed for me and grew with me.

We had a stable family, a spiritually conscious family …but death snatched her away from me.

Now, I feel empty and helpless without her but I am consoled by the hope of Resurrection. I will dearly miss my OBIDIYA. Till we see again in paradise.”

Meanwhile, Caleb Onwubuya and his family associate with the Cooperative Road Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Ajah, Lagos.

“A funeral reminds us of the brevity and uncertainty of life (Ec 9:11). The reality of death makes us think about how we are using our lives (Ps 90:12).”