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For Pharmacist Justice Omokhua, the Managing Director of Reno Superstores and Chief Executive Officer Greenland Drugs Limited, celebrating his elder sister, Mrs Anthonia Osadebamen-Thomas, at 50 was more than a birthday party. It was an opportunity to honour the woman whose sacrifices helped shape his future and gave his family a chance to overcome poverty.
Having lost their mother when he was 13 and their father while he was in his second year at university, Omokhua said his sister stood by him and other siblings when the family struggled to meet basic needs and sustain their education.
Years later, as he oversees businesses that have grown beyond the struggles of his youth, he has not forgotten the woman who helped him stay in school when dropping out seemed a real possibility.
His response was to organise a celebration in her honour, bringing together family members, friends and well-wishers to recognise her contributions while she could still enjoy their appreciation.
“We Africans have one mentality: it is when someone dies that we begin to remember what they did. In our own case, we want to celebrate you while you are alive, so that you will know how much you mean to us,” he said.
The celebration, held at Goodview Suite and Conference Centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, marked the 50th birthday of Anthonia, an entrepreneur whose journey from Edo State to building a retail business in Europe has been defined by resilience, hard work and family commitment.
For Omokhua, however, her greatest achievement was not necessarily her business success, but the sacrifices she made for her siblings at a time when the family had little to depend on.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, he recalled how Anthonia supported him during his university education and the early stages of his business career.
“She was determined to fight poverty out of my family, and thank God she succeeded. Today, we are doing very well. Reno is doing very well, Greenland is doing very well,” he said.
He explained that his sister’s willingness to help was more important than how much money she had, noting that her determination to keep the family together and provide opportunities for her siblings changed their lives.
“She didn’t need to have so much. When I was in school, she was ready to give her last coin. She was willing to do anything to ensure that my siblings did not stay out of school,” he said.
For Omokhua, the memory remains deeply personal. He believes the education he received, with his sister’s support, gave him the foundation to establish and manage businesses.
“If I had not gone to school, I would probably still be in the village, roaming the streets. But today, I am here,” he said.
He added that his sister’s contribution was not limited to providing money. Her encouragement and willingness to stand by the family during difficult times helped him believe that their circumstances could improve.
The businessman described her as an embodiment of selflessness, saying the best way to appreciate what she had done was to celebrate her and extend similar kindness to others.
*A kindness passed from one generation to another*
Omokhua said the support he received from Anthonia had influenced how he now relates to people in need.
He disclosed that he supports students through scholarships and helps others, even though he does not consider himself one of the richest people in Lagos.
According to him, his sister never helped him with the expectation that he would repay her personally or that her children would benefit from his success.
“She told me she was not helping me so that I could come and assist her tomorrow or assist her children. She said if I ever helped her in the future, it should be because God had made it possible,” he said.
He said he had taken that lesson to heart, choosing to extend the same hand of fellowship to others who needed assistance.
“When someone has helped you, they have helped you to help others. The kindness she extended to me, I am extending it to others because I have learnt from her,” he said.
He urged people who had the means to assist others not to hold back, stressing that even a small act of kindness could change the course of someone’s life.
“You can never tell whose dream you have helped to fulfil. It is like a seed planted that, in years, becomes a big tree where people can find rest,” he said.
For him, the birthday celebration was also an opportunity to set an example for other families and encourage people to express gratitude before it is too late.
He prayed for his sister to enjoy long life, good health and prosperity, adding that he hoped they would have many more opportunities to celebrate together.
*From humble beginnings to international business*
Anthonia’s life story reflects the determination her brother celebrated.
Born on September 10, 1976, in Uselu, Edo State, Anthonia Osadebamen Omokhua experienced family transitions and personal loss from an early age.
According to her commemorative biography, she began her primary education at Idumonka Primary School in 1982. After the death of her grandmother in 1986, she came under the care of her late uncle, Martins Akota, popularly known as Papa Henry, who helped guide her through her formative years.
She later reunited with her biological parents in Agwa, Irrua, in 1995 and continued her education at Idunwele Girls Secondary School, Ewu, before completing her secondary schooling at Irrua Girls Secondary School in 1998.
Seeking better opportunities, Anthonia moved to Lagos later that year and lived with her sister, Mrs Ekpen Susan Eghodaghe. She trained as a professional beautician while working as an executive secretary at a company in Ikeja.
In 2000, she relocated abroad to join her husband, Alex Thomas. They married on July 31, 2001, and have three children.
Over time, she established herself as an entrepreneur in Europe, building Osa Intel Market, a retail chain that deals mainly in African and Asian foodstuffs across several European cities, including locations in Italy and Germany.
Her journey from modest beginnings to international business has become a source of pride for her family. Yet, as her brother’s tribute showed, her influence extends beyond her entrepreneurial achievements to the opportunities she helped create for others.
*’I did not expect it from my brother’*
For Anthonia, the celebration was an emotional reminder that the support she gave her siblings had not been forgotten.
Speaking at the event, she said she was happy and excited to reach 50, describing her brother’s decision to organise the celebration as an unexpected gesture.
“My brother has done a wonderful thing. I did not expect it at all,” she said.
She recalled that after their parents died, she tried to support her younger siblings whenever they faced difficulties, even when her own resources were limited.
One memory stood out. Returning home from Lagos on an occasion, she discovered that her siblings did not have money to buy fish. She gave them money to meet the need and later brought her youngest sibling to Lagos to live with her.
Her recollections offered a glimpse into the everyday decisions behind the sacrifices her brother described: sharing what little she had, responding to immediate needs and helping her siblings find better opportunities.
Anthonia said she believed that helping people should not be measured only by the amount of money given.
“Being good is not only by giving money. Money is not everything. There are people you help with your advice. You encourage them by telling them, ‘Please, don’t give up. Keep moving forward and do something,’” she said.
She explained that financial assistance alone might not solve a person’s problems if it did not help them become independent. In her view, teaching people how to earn a living and sustain themselves could be more valuable in the long term.
For her golden jubilee, she wished herself long life and prosperity, expressing gratitude for reaching the milestone and celebrating it with her family and friends.
*A celebration filled with memories and gratitude*
The birthday celebration brought together family members, friends and well-wishers for an evening of thanksgiving, cultural expression and tributes.
The programme featured a red-carpet reception, a praise and thanksgiving session led by a live band, tributes from relatives and friends, and a video documentary chronicling Anthonia’s life and achievements.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments was her grand entrance into the hall.
Benin women praise singers, dressed in bright, shiny red lace outfits and adorned with their trademark high hairstyles, danced and sang as they ushered the celebrant into the venue alongside her husband, siblings and other family members.
Their performance electrified the hall, adding colour and cultural significance to the celebration. Beyond the entertainment, the praise singers’ songs provided a public expression of honour for a woman whose family wanted her to understand how much her life and sacrifices meant to them.
The tributes that followed reflected the same message. Anthonia was celebrated not only for building a business and raising a family but also for standing by her siblings when their future was uncertain.
For Omokhua, the gathering was a chance to give his sister her flowers while she could receive them.
His message extended beyond the birthday hall: kindness should be acknowledged, support should be passed on, and people should not wait until someone is gone before expressing gratitude.
As Anthonia Thomas marked her 50th birthday, the celebration became a reminder that a person’s legacy is not defined only by what they accumulate, but also by what they do for others.
For a brother who believes his success was made possible, in part, by his sister’s sacrifices, the most meaningful gift was not a material possession. It was the opportunity to stand before family, friends and well-wishers and say thank you while she was still there to hear it.
The event featured a red-carpet reception, a praise and thanksgiving session led by a live band, tributes from family members and a video documentary highlighting the celebrant’s life and accomplishments.
The high point of the occasion was the celebrant’s grand entrance into the hall, accompanied by her husband, siblings and other family members. Benin women praise singers, dressed in bright red lace outfits and their trademark elaborate hairstyles, welcomed her with songs and dances, creating an atmosphere of excitement and celebration.
