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Pastor Irabor was born on June 12, 1962, in a village called Idimigu in Uyele, Ekpoma, Edo State. He was the last of six children of his mother, Ajere, and his father, Elemoaogbon. He started his primary education in Uyele before losing his dad in 1973. After losing his dad, he relocated to Benin to live with his aunt, who took on the responsibility of looking after him. On completion of his basic education, he was taken to Lagos by his eldest sister, where he started working with a professional practice firm called Morgan, which would later integrate and merge with other firms to become Ernst &Young. In his role at EY, he worked in an administrative capacity, administrating for the managing partner. In 1977, while on a visit to a friend of his, he met a lady called Dorcas, who caught his fancy. Right from the moment he saw her, he made up his mind that he was going to marry her. On May 17, 1978, he got married to her, and they remained married until his death. The marriage was blessed with five children. 3 boys and 2 girls. He was a family man who lived an exemplary life both as a husband and a father. He ensured that he led his family in the way of the Lord. He ensured they served in the house of the Lord and made sure that he was a good model of a father to his children. He was indeed a very good father. As a father, he was selfless. As a husband, he was loving. As a Christian, he was an example. As a worker in his place of work and the church, he was diligent. In his neighbourhood, he was known for living a peaceful and exemplary life. In 1986, during a service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, he gave his life to Christ and became born again. He served in the RCCG up to the point of his death. He got baptized in 1986 and then joined the workforce afterwards. He served in the Sunday School department as a Sunday school teacher before becoming the Head of Sunday School some years later. He also joined the school of disciples in Shomolu and was made chairman of the Let’s Go A Fishing committee. He was appointed parish pastor of RCCG Powerline Assembly Parish in 1996. At the time he was pastor in Powerline, he still worked in EY, which was situated on Lagos Island. He would often have to go on a bike to meet up for weekly services as the distance from his place of work to church was considerably far. On one fateful day, while on the bike trying to meet up at church, he had a very serious accident. He fell off the bike and almost had his face run over by the tyres of the trailer. He was found underneath the trailer, with the moving tyres being an inch from crushing his face, save for divine intervention, which helped the trailer driver hit the brakes. This event didn’t deter him from journeying several miles to get to church to lead the weekly services. He was very diligent in his service to God. In 1998, he was ordained an assistant pastor (A/P) and continued his service in the Powerline Assembly. He continued his service for 5 years before he was transferred to Redemption Parish in the year 2000. He served there from 2000–2001 before he was transferred to Blessed Parish, Ejigbo. In 2003, Pastor Irabor was ordained a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. In the same year, he was transferred from Blessed Parish to Dominion Parish, Ikotun, to serve as the area pastor. He served as the Area Pastor in Dominion between 2003 and 2005 before his transfer to King’s Place to serve as Area Pastor between September 2005 and 2008. In 2008, he was transferred to the RCCG Sanctuary of Praise, Okota, to serve as zonal pastor. He served there for 5 years between 2008 and 2013 before he was transferred to Victor Parish to serve as zonal pastor between 2013 and 2015. In 2015, he was made Provincial Evangelist, and then in 2018, he was ordained an honorary elder. This was the last position he held in the church before his demise. Pastor Irabor was a big football fan. He loved watching both domestic and international football matches. In his younger days, he would go to the stadium to watch the football teams play live. He had a close shave with death on one of the occasions he went to watch one of the live games in the stadium. The game had ended, but one of the exit doors was shut, which resulted in a stampede that claimed lots of lives. Fortunately for Pastor Irabor, he came out unscathed. This didn’t deter him from watching football. He was a Chelsea fan who loved watching Barca play (quite the irony!). He was a big-time fan of Messi. Just like millions of football fans, he was in great elation when Argentina won the World Cup in December 2022. Growing up, the entire family would gather in the living room to watch football. The famous battles between Nigeria and Tunisia and Nigeria vs. Cameroun in the AFCON in the early 2000s come to mind. The entire family would sit in front of the TV and watch the games together. They would often pray for Nigeria’s victory, especially during the penalty shoot-outs. He was also a big lover of music. As a youth, he would often sleep with a radio close to his ears. When he grew up to steward his own family, what usually followed morning devotion on Saturdays was loud gospel music blasting from the sound system in the house. While chores would be going on—children washing and cleaning, mummy getting the Saturday akara and pap ready—music would be playing in the background. He was responsible for giving his children early exposure to anointed and talented gospel singers like Panamá Percy Paul (he had all volumes of Punam Percy Paul’s “Bring Down Your Glory” album), Bob Fitts, Ron Kenoly, Alvin Slaughter, Darlene Zchesch, Women of Faith, Kirk Franklin, etc. This exposure led and helped his children all minister in the choir. It also helped one of his sons take on playing musical instruments, even at a tender age. Pastor Irabor helped organise musical and instrumental training for the youths, both in the churches he pastored and those who were not under his direct pastorship. Pastor Irabor did not hold back from supporting youths in events that could lead to their personal and spiritual development. As a father, he was close to all his children, and he ensured he raised and trained them in the way of the Lord. Pastor Irabor would always ensure that his children took turns leading the morning devotions. He would make one read the scripture or the devotional, and then he would ask another to explain it. He would then proceed to do a general summary of the message. He made sure they understood the importance of constant communion with God. He also valued education a lot and made sure all his children got quality education up to university level. As a father, he never held back when it came to providing for his family. Growing up, he would have nights of dancing with his family. A night when they play music and just dance. Boy! He loved dancing. He was such a merry soul, a cheerful person, and an available father. Christmas was always a time of excitement because every child was assured of new and beautiful clothes and other fashion accessories. On Christmas Eve, he would play different Christmas songs. He was a dream of a father, except that for his children, it was reality. As a husband, you didn’t need anyone to tell you how much he cared deeply for his wife. Dockey! As he would fondly call her, she was definitely the jewel of his heart. In providing, he provided. In protecting, he protected. In comforting, he comforted. In loving, he loved. In leading, he led. He was a model of what a husband should be. There was never a time when a third party had to come settle a dispute between him and his wife because he always allowed the wisdom of God to help him lead his home. You could tell that the woman he met at his cousin’s place in 1977 remained the queen of his heart even up to his death. Pastor Irabor’s life was one full of service and sacrificial living. As a pastor, he was diligent and exemplary of what a Christian should be. His famous phrase when bringing the service to a close was “Jesus Jesus!! Power Power!! Power Power!! Jesus Jesus!!" which was certainly the mantra of his last days alive. The Sunday before his death, he was praying and dancing like he was dancing in heaven, waiting for us. Pastor Irabor, a friend, a father, a grandfather, a teacher, a leader, an elder, and a role model, will be greatly missed but will never be forgotten. His legacies and impacts live on. Good night, Daddy, until we meet again. We love you. Survived by Wife Dorcas Irabor Children Ofure Patricia Amakor (daughter) Usiahon Michael Irabor (son) Ehigiator Daniel Irabor (son) Omonefe Blessing Esene (daughter) Osemegbe Emmanuel Irabor (son) Grand Children Munachi Amakor Amanda Amakor Omoese Esene Obose Irabor Obehi Irabor Osetale Irabor In-law (son) Tochukwu Amakor Samuel Esene In-law (daughter) Onyinye Irabor Naidene Irabor