By Peter Omopo
September 6, 2025 | Lagos
Family, friends, church leaders, and associates from across the world have paid glowing tributes to the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Mike Okonkwo, as he marked his 80th birthday on Saturday.
In a statement, his wife, Peace Okonkwo, described the cleric as “a man with a very good heart—kind-hearted, loving, God-fearing, and full of integrity.” While many know him for his fiery style on the pulpit, she noted that at home he is gentle, shy, and deeply family-oriented.
“Most people see his passion while preaching and might think him aggressive and forceful—yes, against anything that contends with God’s plan for your life in Christ. But Bishop is a private, shy, peaceful, and easy-going man,” she said, adding that he is also a skilled cook who once taught her a few recipes.
The couple’s daughter, Lady Uche Asugha, praised him as her greatest influence after God, especially in shaping her Christian faith. She recalled how his firm discipline initially intimidated her as a child but has since blossomed into a close-knit relationship grounded in love, respect, and faith.
Her husband, Kachi Asugha, described the octogenarian as more than a father-in-law. “Even as a child in the Royal Children’s Church, I recognised one voice among many—so distinct, passionate, and thundering, it compelled action,” he said, recalling how he once imitated Okonkwo’s preaching style as a boy.
Others also recounted the bishop’s impact. Deacon Austin Chuks-Okonta, from Port Harcourt, testified that his life changed after hearing Okonkwo preach in 1991. “Since then, my life has been a bundle of testimonies. God bless Big Daddy, a true man of God who has stayed faithful for over 50 years without any scandal whatsoever,” he said.
Chairman of the birthday planning committee, Rev. Dr. Chinedu Nkere, hailed him as “a man among men, a father to fathers, a pastor to pastors, and a bishop among bishops.” He recalled joining the TREM pastorate as a single man in 1995, after Okonkwo personally encouraged him to relocate to Lagos, a decision that transformed his ministry.
Nkere added: “Big Daddy believes so much in his sons and daughters, even more than we believe in ourselves. His extravagant belief in me has shaped my life in phenomenal ways.”
The tributes highlight Bishop Okonkwo’s enduring influence as a preacher, mentor, and leader whose five decades in ministry have been marked by integrity, discipline, and unwavering devotion to God.
