Last One Year Hasn't Been Easy For Me — Olisa Metuh's Emotional Birthday Message

Former PDP spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh who turned 51 today has written a long emotional birthday message narrating his ordeal in the last one year. Read below:

"I left church yesterday humming the worship song -'You are the reason I live, you are the one for me, you are the one for me ....'

"The last one year has been most instructive. Exactly a year ago, I celebrated my 50th birthday with the less-privileged, family and close friends. Then, we were making serious efforts  to reposition the PDP as a vehicle for credible opposition rooted in constructive criticism and based solely on issues, devoid of insults and crude bitterness. We believed that an opposition party should always proffer alternatives to the programmes and policies of the ruling party and not just pure condemnation.

"However three events have greatly affected me this past year.

"First, I was arrested on the 5th of January and have since been involved in the defence of the charges against me and my company.

"Secondly, sometime in Aprill, I had an MRI which revealed a massive indentation in the T3 and T4 of my spine owing to an advanced degenerative disease of the cervical and lumbar spine. The doctors informed my family that until corrective surgery is done I do stand the risk of spinal dislocation that could lead to a permanent disability.

"Thirdly, just a week ago I lost my nephew (my elder sister's son). He was only 22 years old and with the death of his twin brother about 9 years ago, was the only surviving son of his parents. He had had four major operations in October and the family had embarked on 30 days of fasting and prayers. This coincided with the annual fasting event of my church (GLA Abuja worship centre) called October to power. I prayed like I had never done in my life and believed God would heal him and when he died it almost shook the foundation of my belief. But then I remembered the story of Job in the bible and how he kept faith and belief in God's purpose for his life despite his many challenges.

"It hasn't been an easy year for my family and I but I humbly make this post believing that it may influence one or two people who might be going through serious challenges as well to surrender all to God Almighty.

"It hasn't been an easy year but in the same year I found peace, peace that passes all human understanding.

"It hasn't been an easy year but in the same year I discovered a deeper purpose in life, that can be accomplished only with God at the centre.

"It hasn't been an easy year but in the same year amazing doors have opened up to me, doors that men had assumed permanently shut.

"Only God can truly comfort us when we go through difficult challenges and when we honour Him with our lives, He honours us with His presence.

"In all these, I remain grateful for numerous friends who have been of tremendous assistance this past one year and especially for all those who have kept me in their prayers.

"And as the worship song continues  'why should I fear when I have You, surrounded by Your love, Your everlasting love.......'

"..........Everlasting love that gives me the strength to say happy birthday to me"