The requiem Mass for Late Pa James Oziga, aged 83 years was held on 11th April, 2025 at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, with the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun as the Chief Celebrant, while Rev. Frs: Justine Adeka, CSJ and Arnauld Aniou, CSJ concelebrating.

In his homily, Fr. Balogun said “Only the living can bury the dead. Pa James Oziga has died. He has gone to rest. No pension, no high cost of petrol, scarcity of water, no food, poverty etc. All do not concern the dead anymore because ‘Aye lajo, Orun nile’” That is, we are only on a journey on earth, heaven is our home and place of rest.

The priest added that there is no how we live long on earth, we shall live in heaven more than that, hence, it is good to do good because what we do is what people will say about us.

The homilist urged all to celebrate themselves while still alive and that when people get to 50 or 60 years of age, they should stop thinking about what they want to become but start thinking about the legacy they will leave for their children.

Fr. Balogun described the deceased as a good man, loving and caring and a person who does not cause trouble in the neighbourhood. He further said the deceased was a young boxer before he became old, calm and fragile. The beautiful moment he added was when the deceased came back to the Church to receive the Holy Communion after many years; which he also received that morning before he died in the evening of 25th March, 2025.

There was a special thanksgiving by the family to thank God for the life of Late Pa James Martins Oziga and a vote of thanks by the deceased grand-daughter, Bamgbose Ifeoluwa Helen.

The final commendation rite was done by Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun.

May the soul of Pa James Oziga and the souls of faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.