By Ken Asinobi
…Adds: Death Is “Graduation Into Eternity”
Hundreds of family members, friends, associates and admirers gathered on Wednesday evening at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonnema Wharf Road, Port Harcourt, for a solemn but uplifting Service of Songs in honour of the late Kaodi Nduaka.
The event, organised by the New Testament Foundation in collaboration with the Nduaka family, featured worship, tributes and exhortations celebrating the life and enduring legacy of Kaodi Nduaka (1958–2026), who passed away on June 2, 2026, and was widely admired for his Christian faith, humility and service to humanity.
Delivering an exhortation titled “From Dust to Glory,” Christian minister, Bro. Sam Kputu, declared that no pastor, prophet or church leader possesses the authority to write anyone’s name in the Lamb’s Book of Life, stressing that eternal salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.
He warned Christians against placing their confidence in religious titles, church membership or the promises of spiritual leaders, describing such beliefs as misleading and contrary to biblical teaching.
“There is no pastor who can write your name in the Book of Life,” Kputu said. “Some may claim they can tell whether your name is there, but eternal life is God’s gift through His Son, Jesus Christ.”
According to him, the Book of Life belongs to God alone, and only those who genuinely repent and accept Christ receive the assurance of eternal life.
The preacher described death as “graduation into eternity” for believers, explaining that although death remains humanity’s greatest enemy, it is also the gateway through which faithful Christians enter God’s eternal glory.
Quoting the Scriptures, he said flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, adding that mortality must ultimately give way to immortality.
He likened the Christian journey to a race, urging believers not to compare themselves with others but to remain faithful to the course God has assigned them.
“What matters is not how long we live, but how faithfully we finish the race God has set before us,” he said.
Kputu further noted that heaven rejoices not when people merely change denominations but when sinners genuinely repent and are translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God.
He reminded the congregation that heaven and hell are realities, warning that church attendance, baptism and confirmation alone cannot guarantee salvation. Rather, he said, eternal life is reserved for those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the life of the late Kaodi Nduaka, the cleric urged mourners not to grieve without hope, expressing confidence that those who die in Christ will rise again at the resurrection.
He called on everyone present to prepare for eternity by surrendering their lives to Christ.
Tributes presented during the service portrayed Nduaka as a man whose life was defined by unwavering faith, humility, integrity and selfless service.
Speaking on behalf of the Egema in-laws, Dr. Mrs. Ifeoma Ikechi described the deceased as a devout Christian, generous benefactor and exemplary family man whose life positively impacted many. She urged mourners to uphold his enduring legacy of love, integrity and commitment to God.
The 1971 Set of Government College, Umuahia Old Boys Association, led by its Chairman, Engr. I.N.A. Ugwuegede, remembered their late classmate as a humble, compassionate and deeply principled man whose wise counsel and commitment to humanity inspired all who knew him. They described his passing as a painful loss and prayed for God’s comfort for his family.
In an emotional tribute, his son-in-law, Mr. Chijioke Iloabuchi, described Nduaka as more than a father-in-law, saying he welcomed him into the family as a son and continually guided him through both words and personal example.
He recalled the deceased’s constant message that “there is hope,” which strengthened his faith and taught him to value peace, integrity and godliness above material wealth.
Calvary Ministries (CAPRO), in a tribute read by Bro. Emeka Akujobi, described Nduaka as a devoted Christian whose steadfast faith, humility and compassion left an enduring impact on the ministry.
While acknowledging the sorrow of his passing, the ministry expressed confidence in the biblical promise of eternal life and prayed for God’s comfort for the bereaved family.
Similarly, the New Testament Foundation, through a tribute read by Elder Maurice Ndiomu, described him as a committed follower of Christ whose life reflected unwavering dedication to the gospel.
The Foundation reminded believers that life on earth is temporary and urged them to remain focused on their eternal home while continuing to proclaim the message of Christ.
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the family, the deceased’s younger brother, Mr. Chinedu Nduaka, expressed profound appreciation to everyone who attended the Service of Songs and supported the family during their period of mourning.
He described his late brother as a devoted family man whose upbringing instilled in him discipline, responsibility, generosity and genuine care for others.
He said the family’s greatest consolation was the Christian hope of the resurrection, expressing confidence that Nduaka’s legacy of compassion, faith and selfless service would continue to inspire generations. The Service of Songs concluded with prayers for the family and renewed reflections on the Christian hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.