It was a gale of tributes for the late Rev (Dr) Victoria Peace Odika at the Service of Songs held on the 6th April, 2024 at Church of Faith Bible Ministry in Ikeja, Lagos. 

Rev (Dr) Odika who is the mother of the  Director of Operations Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), Herbert Odika passed on, at age 86 on the 21st February 2024. 

In addition to the service of Songs held in Lagos, there will also be another Service of Songs scheduled to hold on the 12th April, 2024 before the Interment on the 13th April, 2024 at Issele Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. 

In his sermon at the Service of Songs held in Lagos, the officiating Pastor, Dr Godwin Christopher noted that, all are gathered to celebrate the life of an icon, describing late Victoria Odika as an epitome of beauty and embodiment of beauty. 

Dr Christopher also pointed out that, the beauty of the departed radiates from inside of her to outside, meaning that she was beautiful inside-out throughout her lifetime. 

He advised the congregation to be careful on how they live their lives because of the brevity of life. 

Admonishing all to live with eternity in view, Dr Christopher said “it is a celebration of an icon. Her beauty was inside out when she was alive. We are doing a double celebration because today would have been her 86th birthday. I urge you all to live with eternity in view because of the brevity of lige”. 

In his tribute to Rev Victoria Odika, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr Nnamdi Udo described the woman as a very supportive woman. 

He said “The success of every man is usually attributed to how supportive the wife is. Mama is one of them I have known this family for 44 years and I think it is good enough to say who mama was. For me, she was just a spiritual mother and a whole mother for the family. She gave her time to the family and the church I know she was interested in young boys and girls who have no locus that she has brought up. Some of them are pastors, some have careers, some she took abroad. That speaks volumes for her. I took pains to be here today to honour her. She did so much to help other people”. 

To the President of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representative in Nigeria (AFARN), Dr Kingsley Nwokoma, Rev (Dr) Victoria Odika was a very strong woman, having been able to steer the ship after the death of her husband many years ago. 

Recalling events of the past, Dr Nwokoma said “I remember those good old days when she lost her husband and she was able to steer the ship. She is over 80. So what we are doing right now is celebrating life and celebration of all the good things she has done. You can see that she has wonderful children. This is just the phase one, all road leads to Issele Uku for phase two.

One of the grandchildren, Mr Ifechukwude Odika narrated how useful her grandmother was to him, pointing out that the departed taught him how to take life more seriously. 

He said “to be honest, there is no much to say, other that she lived a good life. In this life that she lived, she ensured that everybody that needs help should be helped, the one that needs to be brought up should be brought up. If there is any form of assistance, she will provide it. One thing that grandma thought me is never to take life for granted”

Meanwhile, the service of songs, which featured ministrations from worship ministers, testimonies about the late Rev (Dr) Odika was held to commemorate the life and accomplishments of the deceased woman of God. 

The church auditorium, located along Agege Motor Road in Ikeja was filled to capacity, with church members, friends and well wishers turning out to pay their last respect to the great woman. 

Rev (Dr) Odika who died on the 21st February, 2024 was described by members of the church as a leader,  who lived her life dedicatedly inspiring young people around him and beyond.

In his vote of thanks, Mr Hubert Odika thanked all the personalities that came from far and wide, praying that “as you come to celebrate with us, famine will not come near you”.