“The Grim Reaper death takes us into the Federal Republic of Dust & Ashes, incidently that republic is the most democractic in creation” per Dele Shobowale
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It was a dry dusty Monday morning on February 5th, 2024 as the harmattan left its wake from Libya to Lagos and eastwards to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The morning was bustling with normal Monday activities as children hurried to school, workers, professionals, artisans, hustlers and entrepreneurs scurried to their various business places.
Having arrived my place of work at about 8.44 am, l went down into the day’s business of rummaging through my diary and received files to see if l have any pending correspondence or pleadings necessary for response.
As l sat down on the swivel chair adorning the office in deep thought, my phone rang, the voice at the other end bellowed ” have you heard about Eze Victor Agala” when l retorted No, the line went dead. I guess the caller doesn’t want to be a harbinger of foul news.
Immediately l was alarmed, my instincts told me something gory was amiss. Thereafter l had a flurry of calls and it was confirmed. Eze Victor Agala my friend, colleague, ally and confidant was stone dead, lying dead at the Nigerian Police Clinic behind the Rivers State Judiciary Complex. Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The hot harmattan wind turned cold, shivers ran through my spine. I was numb.
I have touted myself as someone that knows no fear having been bred in a War Canoe House in Ogoloma in the Okrika Ethnic Nationality of Rivers State where going to war is like taking a hot cup of morning coffee. The words of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare when Caesar declared in Act 2 Scene 2 that
“Cowards die many times before their death. The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear, Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come” is hung around my neck like treasured a diamond necklace.
But on that day, Monday 5th, 2024, fear envoloped me. I was invited several times by several persons to visit the Nigerian Police Clinic to see the lifeless body of Eze Victor Agala, several times l declined. I couldn’t muster the courage. Fear had a field day with me. I couldn’t appropriate the strength to accept reality, Eze Victor Agala gone? No!!!
Eze Victor Agala unto “coming small small” and I spoke on Saturday 3rd February, 2024. He desired to meet with me but l told him l was in Okrika, Rivers State for the funeral obsequies of the grand dad of my colleague in chambers. We opted to speak online.
He inquired of me, my family, the forthcoming NBA National Elections and how am fairing about my aspiration. I gave him a breakdown of my efforts and intinery and he pledged his total support to me and assured me that l have his vote come July, 2024. I didn’t realise it was a good bye call.
Monday 5th February, 2024 at about 11am, Eze Victor Agala was dead.
While still ruminating about the event of Monday 5th February, 2024 another thunderbolt struck. Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, a native of Isiopkpo in Rivers State tragically lost his life along that of his wife, son and others in a Helicopter accident in the United States.
Before his demise, Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe was the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, owners of Access Bank and other viable subsidiaries. It was another loss too tragic to bear. Initially, the news of his demise seemed like an April fool joke but it finally dawn on most of us on Sunday, 10th February, 2024.
On December 14th, 2023, the world woke up to the passing of Sotonye Inyeinengi-Etomi, Managing Partner in the law firm of George Etomi & Partners, GEPLAW.
Called to the Bar in 1988, Sotonye Inyeinengi-Etomi leaves behind a distinguished legal career spanning various commercial transactions and a myriad of different industries. His professional impact was felt in other professional disciplines. He took up appointment as Special Assistant to then Honourable Minister of Transport Dr. Abiye Samuel Precious Sekibo where he played a pivotal role in numerous Economic Reform Committees, contributing to the Expression of Interest on Port Concession and chairing the Finance and other Related Matters Sub Committee on Ports Reform. His leadership extended to the drafting of the CABOTAGE Guidelines and Regulations as Chairman of the Ministerial Committee.
Just a few days ago, another horrifying news broke forth. Abraham Derefaka Esq of Nigerian Bar Association, Okrika Branch was reported dead. Abraham Derefaka attended the University of Benin, Benin City, he graduated in 1997, was called to the Bar in 1999, worked in the firm of Danagogo and Danagogo & Co, later, Danagogo, Oputa and Co and later Abraham Derefaka and Co before his Denise on Tuesday 13th February, 2024.
The demise of Eze Victor Agala, Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, Sotonye Inyeinengi- Etomi and Abraham Derefaka reminds me of1859 when Leon Montanaekan said “Life is brief, a little hope, a little dream & then a good night” it is indeed a hope, a dream and a good night for our brothers and all other saints who passed on during the period.
As we mourn this fine gentlemen, let us remember the words of Omar Khayyam when he said “Let’s make the most of what we may yet spend before we get into dust descend, dust unto dust”
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