Peter Owoicho Otulu: A man whose work is done (Opinion)

Once in a while someone comes along whose task on this earth becomes obvious to him and to us all. When their work is done and they take their place in our memories, an iconic picture of what they stood for while they were here is carved. At the mention of their names, that image props up unsolicited.

For example, when you mention Pele, a picture of a certain football legend is activated. When you invoke Mandela a whole different picture comes to the fore; behold a freedom fighter and an excellent statesman. And Hitler stands dwarfed in the field of ignominy, reminding humanity of one whose hands were tainted with human blood.

It is the reason why we should take the distinction which T.D. Jakes makes between instinct and destiny very seriously. In the book Destiny, he posits that instinct is HOW we were made, and destiny is WHY we were made. Think about this: Some persons are fascinated by maths, others are drawn to music. Some are enchanted by sports, others are drawn to engineering. Some can hold their own in speech but not in literature.

Tu Baba can sing, but can not dance. He is not cut out for political engagements even! When he tried his hands on political activism he got them burnt and beat a retreat in no time. He realised he can do that from his lane. Whereas Dino could survive that fire, but would remain a fish outside water no matter how hard he tries to sing. He too has his lane. Instinct is the different lane laid for each of us, and with which we trade with the world outside us.

To understand instinct, you must come to terms with your propensity to act or react in a certain way. Your proclivity to anger over little irritants. Your ability to ignore and survive unhealthy rumours and backstabbing and major setbacks. Those are the functions of your instinct. But the most important thing to come to terms with in life is the WHY of your life. Why are you here? Why am I here? If you are able to realise the answer, you have found your destiny.
I dedicate this write up to Peter Owoicho Otulu, a gospel music evangelist of no mean repute among the Idoma, whose demise took place yesterday. Peter appeared like a bolt from the blues and took the Idomaland by storm, traversing its nook and cranies, evangelising the people, and exposing dark recesses of evil and entrenched diabolism across the land.

He came at a time when the people were in dire need of another method of doing evangelism. It is to his credit that many idolaters abandoned their shrines, revoked their affiliation with gods inherited from forebears in exchange for waters of rebirth. To every sons and daughters of the Idoma race therefore, Peter stands as one whose WHY is clear; whose work is done. And the mention of his name will continue to evoke a peculiar sentiment: There goes the legendary musical evangelist!

By Fr Christian Okewu Emmanuel
Archdiocese of Kaduna