Nigerian Baptist Convention Bids Mama Rohm Farewell.

CITATION FROM THE NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION PRESENTED BY REVD O.O.TESTIMONY ONIFADE ALMA ROHM: A COSMOPOLITAN MISSIONARY OF VALUES INTRODUCTION On behalf of the Chairman, Rev Dr Olumide Kehinde and  the President/Chief Executive  of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, who also is the incumbent  Nigeria  President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, His Eminence, Revd Dr SAMSON OLASUPO ADENIYI AYOKUNLE, the three serving  Vice Chairmen/vice  Presidents , all the National Executive Committee members of our great Baptist Convention,  and all the other over 10 million Baptists in Nigeria.  I commiserate with our respected religious Leaders , Royal fathers, eminent community leaders, heads of our various organizations and institutions. (All existing protocols duly observed).    The news of glorious exit of mama Rohm was received by the NBC with mix feeling. One, a thought that came to me was, why should mama die at this time, when we expected her to serve the nation longer?  Two, on the other hand, we need to thank the Lord that mama’s home call peacefully at gentle age of 91 is unto the Lord. Therefore , we should not think like an infidel. Despite that mama belongs to our family in Nigeria, however, the NBC do express her condolence to the International Mission Board (formerly called Baptist Mission of Nigeria), Osun Baptist family and the Iwo community. EXIT OF A UNIQUE WOMAN OF MANY VALUES The celebration of the glorious home call of ALMA HAZEL ROHM is significant and unique to our denomination for various reasons.  Afew for the sake of brevity are sa follows. Missionaries have been coming to Nigeria since 18th/19th century. No one has ever stayed long as she did among us.  Many have done great ministries among us, but she was the first to determine to remain with us throughout her lifetime.                   To the entire Baptist Family in Nigeria, CHIEF MAMA ALMA ROHM exemplified great virtues , meaning that she could be summarized  thus : AFFECTIONATE LOVING MENTOR TO MANY REGENERATED   MISSIONARY OPEN MINDED AND TRANSPARENT HUMBLE –an epitome of humility and honesty. MODEL of integrity Mama served at various committees in the Convention. She initiated laudable ministries which have survived and relevant till this present day. Mama after retirement worked tirelessly as a Church Planter and a Discipler among us. Mama was a great counselor and an encourager. One of the immense values we cannot forget in Mama was her selfless service toward peace as a bridge builder always. She was a pillar and supporter to many. She was a detribalized Christian Leader.  The glorious exit of Mama Rohm in Nigeria is not by accident or coincidental. it was the  divine purpose and strong determination by this woman of many  values.  Mama is not just called back home to her Lord in Nigeria. Mama Rohm died as a bonafide patriotic Nigerian Christian, who stood firm in nurturing till death separated us.   MAMA DIED IN NIGERIA AS A NIGERIAN WHO REMAINED DELIGENT TILL THE END  In history of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  Ministry of Interior,  Abuja, Mama Alma Hazel Rohm happened to be first Christian Missionary who officially naturalized herself to be a Nigerian. It is amazing to witness an American, who was born ,grew up  and  educated in such developed world environment, to determine to denounce the comfort of her country for the discomfort of Nigeria,  after retirement , when Mama Rohm supposed to go back and enjoy  good security in America. She chose to remain with us here in Nigeria amidst insecurity of life and property. Mama chose to go through the rigorous exercise of Naturalization to formally nationalize her citizenship and become a Nigerian. What a paradox!  When many are struggling daily to leave the land, when others leave on ground of perceived threats and insecurity, ALMA ROHM THE GREAT remained with us perpetually. I have the privilege of leading mama to Abuja federal office for the citizen process.  Deaconess Joan Ayo played marvelous role in actualizing the dream of Mama, after our convention leader had written letter of authority to the Abuja office . I asked mama one day when we were waiting endlessly to board a delayed ARIK AIR from Lagos to Abuja during one of our trips on her nationality process, why will you prefer to remain in this uncomfortable environment when you have option of living in comfort and luxury  among your people in America? She looked at my face, held my shoulder, and retorted, said  “Comfort is nowhere else than in Jesus; security of any human being  is in no other personality or place other than in Christ Jesus . You are my people,  my evangelism and my joy. I prefer to remain here for God to be glorified.”   Mama took this step to remain with her converts until death. The great Alma Rohm is physically no more with us. But her meritorious activities remain till eternity. I beseech the Lord to comfort all of us in Christ Jesus.