Baptist Youth President Wife, Venas Dang, Buried Amidst Tears

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The remains of the wife of the Plateau Baptist Conference Youth Conference, PBCYC, President, Mrs Venas Emmanuel Dang was on Saturday buried at the family burial ground in Maikatako, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State amidst tears.

The body of the deceased had earlier left the Jos University Teaching Hospital (Old JUTH) mortuary where it was received by thousands of sympathisers from all walks of life before the long convoy headed to Maikatako.

At the mortuary, the Plateau Baptist Conference, PBC, Ministerial Chairman gave a brief charge urging the sympathisers to have hope in Christ because as Christians, ‘we belong to a community of faith.’

The PBC President, Rev Dr K.K Saleh and Chairman, Rev Oduntan encouraged the synthesisers and prayed for the gathering respectively as the convoy moves to Maikatako, Bokkos LGA, Plateau state.

The Funeral Service was conducted at the family home Church, Alheri Baptist Church, Maikatako. The service was moderated by the Protocol Ofdicer to the PBC President, Rev Bolaji Oyateru.

Testimonies poured in for the deceased, Mrs Venas Dang. She was described as a “true Christian, peaceful, respectful, bridge builder, good wife, singer, mobiliser and a great lover of God.”

Among those that gave testimonies were, Dr. L.I Dang for Dang family, her family, sisters, brothers, traditional rulers, her Church Pastor and wife, Shallom Baptist Association Moderator, Sis Yohanna Hajara for PBCYC, Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference, NBCYC Ex-President, Deacon Habakkuk, Pastors/Moderators representative, Rev Olaleye, WMU Conference Director, and Chairman of PBC, Rev Oduntan who spoke on behalf of the Conference.

The deceased husband, Bro. Emmanuel Istifanus Dang also gave testimony about his wife. He recalled that he never for once regretted marrying late Mrs Venas. He promised to train the children and never to allow them to suffer. He thanked all for the contributions to his family.

There were soul-lifting music presentations by Alheri Baptist Church Choir, her Church choir where she was the Assistant Choir Mistress until her death, Ruhaniya Baptist Church Choir, Ruhaniya Baptist Church Praise Team, and Ruhaniya Women Choir.

The Plateau Baptist Conference President, Rev. Dr. K.K Saleh gave the sermon. The scripture reading was earlier taken by Pastor Thomas Audu who read from 1Thesalonians 4:13-18.

Saleh said that death for the beloved is described as sleep and we should not mourn like those that lack faith saying that believers would meet at the Master’s feet.

A special Prayer for the family was offered by Rev Daniel Ogundayo.

Mrs Venas died on Friday, October 4, 2019, due to kidney failure.

She was survived by her husband, Bro Emmanuel Dang, three kids – Tikhoi and Matogtihyau and the 6 months old Bwesafat.

Dignitaries at the event included the President of the Plateau Baptist Conference, Rev Dr K.K Saleh, Conference Chairman, Rev Oduntan, Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference representative and the immediate past National President, Deacon Habakkuk Ishaku, Plateau Baptist Conference Youth Conference first Vice President, Sis Yohanna Hajara, HRH Ron Butura, traditional rulers, religious leaders from other denominations especially, COCIN and CAC, Association Presidents and Moderators, heads of different departments/units at PBC, Head of Department, Department of Education, University of Jos and students of the department among others.

She died at 32.