LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)– Emotional scenes unfolded when Streams of Joy International founder Pastor Jerry Eze, publicly celebrated the woman who sponsored his education from secondary school to university, revealing how a chance encounter in church transformed his life.
The popular cleric shared the personal story with members of his congregation, recalling a difficult turning point during his junior secondary school days. According to him, his mother once informed him in JS3 that the family could not afford the fees required for senior secondary school.
Faced with the possibility of abandoning his academic dreams, Eze admitted he had already begun considering learning a trade. However, events soon took an unexpected turn after a church service. A woman approached him and revealed that she and her husband believed they were divinely led to support his education.
“I had already started thinking I would learn tailoring because I felt that was the only option,” he told the audience.
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From that moment, the couple stepped into his life in a way he never imagined. Remarkably, the pastor noted that the couple had no prior relationship with him. They were neither from his village nor his state, yet they chose to invest in his future after meeting him in church.
“They paid my school fees from SS1 until I finished university. They even took me into their home and treated me like their own child,” Eze said.
He described the woman as someone who “saw tomorrow,” emphasizing that her generosity completely altered the trajectory of his life by giving him opportunities and exposure he might never have experienced.
The woman he honoured is now the current Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Ursula Ngozi Akanwa. The touching reunion saw Akanwa hug Eze warmly before kneeling in appreciation as he quickly lifted her up, sealing the emotional moment with an embrace.
Grateful for the life-changing act, Eze said his journey reflects grace and compassion. He encouraged people never to underestimate others, stressing that greatness can emerge from the most unlikely places. Concluding, the cleric prayed for continued blessings upon the couple whose kindness, according to him, helped shape the path that eventually led him to global ministry.
