Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan
Last week Friday would be a day that a physically challenged pastor, Mr. David Oni, would not forget in a hurry in his life. It was a day he took his destiny in his own hands and his life encountered a lift through a life-changing encounter with Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu.
The event was the 2018 Ministry of Communications' Ministerial retreat held at International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, which Oni attended for the sole purpose of marketing his books.
Shittu who on arrival was attracted to one of the title of the books displayed for sale by the physically challenged man, then decided to move closer and make further enquiries about the author, an opportunity which afforded Oni to narrate how he was involved in a ghastly automobile accident some years back which confined him to a wheelchair.
Moved with pity, the Minister became interested in Oni’s situation when he narrated how he has been able to write eight Christian books after he was involved in the accident that affected his spinal cord. And while revealing further details about his life to the Minister, Oni said he was an employee of an organization but his appointment had to be terminated on health ground after the accident, adding that he is currently in 200 level, studying Social Work at the University of Ibadan.
The Minister impressed with his achievements invited him into the hall where he gave him the opportunity to repeat his story to other participants and also allowed him to advertise his books to them. The response from the participants was overwhelming and turned out to be a day for the fall of manna from heaven for the man of God.
First to bell the cat was one of the participants who, moved by the man's story, donated a sum of N100,000 on the spot while two other participants volunteered to sponsor the remaining part of his academic programme. A bigger shock was to come when the head of one of the government agencies present at the event promised to immediately facilitate Oni's employment in the agency.
A cross section of participants at the retreat speaking on what happened, lauded the physically challenged man for his strong will and resolve to write books to make ends meet without resorting to begging.
However one of the participants, Mr. Adeniyi Oladele, lauded the Minister for his kind gesture towards the physically challenged man of God, imploring other political office holders to emulate him. He said, "Politicians should learn to assist ordinary Nigerians without ethnic or religious bias just as Minister of Communications did today. "
The Minister on his part while commending those who intervened to help the man of God, however lauded Oni for making use of his God-given talent to help himself despite his disabilities. According to him, he has decided to take his destiny in his own hands which has paved way for him through what have been pledged to make his life better. His words, “I am delighted that Pastor Oni did not allow the unfortunate incident to suppress his God-given talent and I consider it a privilege that I can assist him in my own little way. Just as the title of one of his books, 'Your destiny is in your own hands', suggests, he has taken his destiny into his own hands.”
Oni, an HND graduate of Accountancy and a Post Graduate Diploma holder in Theology from RCCG Bible College, while expressing his appreciation to Shittu, said, “today is one of the happiest days of my life. I am overwhelmed. Only God will reward this man. He is simply ‘God-sent' to me.”
Some of the books he has to his credit include 212 Pearls of Wisdom on Prayer; Wisdom Exposition on the Book of Proverbs; 12 Benefits of Speaking in Tongues and Making Huge Impact in Heaven while on Earth through Soul Winning.
