The 45 Giant Strides Of Dr Azemhe Azena (JP), By Austen Akhagbeme

IT is often said that it is not the number of years that matters in life, but the quality of life you bring to the years. This adage encapsulates the eventful life of the renowned Televangelist, Philanthropist and Benin City-based Politician, Dr Azemhe Azena JP.

In just 45 years of life earlier threatened by poverty, squalor, and deprivation in the formative years, the highly esteemed and respected Clergyman has affected the lives of so many people in such a remarkable way, across religious divides and social strata at least, in the last ten years.

Born on Christmas day 45 years ago in Okpella, Etsako-East local government in Edo state, Dr Azemhe Azena fought vigorously to remain afloat in the contrary waters of privation and hopelessness that confronted him at such a tender age, when he lost the care of his beloved mother and benefactor to the cold hands of death.

The battle against hunger and daily survival as a young lad made him do all sorts of menial jobs including being a Wheelbarrow pusher in the popular Okugbe market in Okpella until he graduated to become an “Okada” rider. His success in this hazardous job led him to become the leader of the Okada Riders Association in his locality as he grows in age and stature.

Even though he has not yet known the Lord, the Lord knew him and God’s mighty hand was upon him like Joseph in the Bible. Amidst the tortuous life of making ends meet daily, was the inner desire to acquire a basic education and probably went further to becoming a graduate.

Despite his several moments of dropping out of school as a result of lack of money, the audacity to succeed took him through secondary school and Auchi Polytechnic, where he read Mass Communication and obtained his Higher National Diploma, HND. He later read up to acquiring a Doctorate degree in a school of Theology and presently rounding up a degree program in Law at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state.

Along the way, he met the Lord and became a Christian, then a church leader and today a Regional Pastor of over a hundred Churches both home and abroad, with the Omega Fire Ministry, under the leadership of the highly esteemed Apostle Johnson Suleiman, his mentor and Pastor.

Dr Azemhe Azena is known all over the nation and especially in Edo State, for his incisive, thought-provoking sermons that resonate largely with people who are going through difficulties and seeking for a goodly and Godly solutions based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This has brought him widespread recognition among both the old and the young as many have embraced salvation and deliverances under his liberating ministry. Little wonder he’s a church planter extraordinaire and a soul winner par excellence.

His popular Television program ” Turning Point” has brought hope and respite to many in the comfort of their homes with many lives won into the Kingdom of God. His books have brought hope to many, just as his philanthropic gestures have done, all over Edo State and beyond.

Dr Azemhe Azena is a great and unique Philanthropist. His God-given grace and ability to literally “disarm” violent youths through his yearly “Renunciation program” where youths involved in criminality and violence freely and willfully drop their arms and are rehabilitated by this Clergyman is still a wonder to many. His many scholarships to indigent students and regular free medical outreaches in various communities in Edo State speak volumes of his selflessness and love for mankind.

These and many other reasons informed his impressive foray into the mucky waters of Nigerian politics recently, when he contested as the NNPP’s Governorship Candidate in the just concluded Edo State gubernatorial election.

For a life that wasn’t allowed to succeed by natural dictates and standpoints, God in His divine orchestration, planned Dr Azemhe Azena’s life to be that of courage, impact, love for humanity and expansion to the Kingdom of God.

As we gather to celebrate this great man of honour on his 45th birthday anniversary throughout this week, let us thank God for these 45 giant strides in years, full of accomplishments and more by Dr Azemhe Azena through the blessings of God. Happy birthday, your excellency sir.