A former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has disclosed how he battled and survived life threatening cancer.
In a video that went viral on Tuesday, Oritsejafor, the Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Delta State, appearing sober and reflective, recounted the challenging journey he faced, detailing the emotional, physical, and spiritual trials that came with his diagnosis.
In the three-minute video, the clergy noted that his faith played a crucial role in his recovery
“How do you face cancer and still stand like this? “What I have not told you is when I was going to America, full of cancer, you did not know. I did not tell you. I looked normal because that is my way of life, “the famous clergyman said.
“What I have not told you is when I was going to America, full of cancer, you did not know. I did not tell you. I looked normal because that is my way of life.”
Speaking further, Oritsejafor said on the day he was travelling to America for medical treatment, suffering from the debilitating illness, another close acquaintance of his was also travelling to the UK for treatment of the same type of cancer.
Describing the cancer as aggressive, he recalled that while he boarded the plane to return to Nigeria after his treatment, his acquaintance, who had battled the same illness, was brought back to Nigeria in a casket.
According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs.
Oritsejafor urged his congregation not to clap or celebrate his survival, as he acknowledged the sorrow of his acquaintance’s passing.
He said, “Please don’t clap because I am not better than him. But God remembered me. He remembered my heart. I have always had a heart for God. I told God, if you save me from this, I will double my service. I will serve you twice more. And he saved me and brought me home”
