Recounting his battle with a severe form of cancer, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, has opened up about his victorious survival.
In a widely circulated video, Oritsejafor, who leads the Word of Life Bible Church in Warri, Delta State, appeared introspective as he shared the arduous path he walked, encompassing emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges following his diagnosis.
Throughout the three-minute video, the pastor emphasized the significant role his faith played in his healing process.
He expressed, “How does one confront cancer and still remain steadfast like this?
“What I haven’t revealed is the time I traveled to America, battling cancer without your knowledge. I never disclosed it. I appeared normal because that’s just my way.”
Further elaborating, Oritsejafor mentioned a poignant episode where, on the same day he departed for the U.S. for medical intervention while grappling with the debilitating disease, a close associate of his embarked on a journey to the UK for treatment of the same aggressive cancer.
Recalling the intensity of the cancer, he reminisced about how, upon his return to Nigeria after treatment, his friend who had also fought the illness, sadly returned in a casket.
According to the World Health Organization, cancer encompasses a diverse range of diseases that can originate in any organ or tissue, characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells breaching their customary boundaries to infiltrate neighboring areas and metastasize to other organs.
In a heartfelt plea to his congregation, Oritsejafor humbly discouraged applause or jubilation over his recovery, acknowledging the grief surrounding his friend’s demise.
He shared, “Please refrain from applause, for I am no superior to him. Yet, God remembered me. He saw my sincerity. My heart has always leaned towards God. I made a pact with Him, promising to double my service if He delivered me from this ordeal. And He did, bringing me back home.”