Tribute to my Uncle Chinwe
Many words can be used to explain the different feelings that enveloped my husband and I, on being informed of your passing. Disbelief, confusion, shock, intense pain, sadness.... I could go on and on. The tears rolled freely down our eyes and even, more so, when we visited your family moments later. The realisation that my friend, Inime is now a widow, brought me to terms with the clichè: "Here today, gone tomorrow". I could only wonder: how did this happen? Questions
So many questions ran through my mind. Was it not only a month ago I had seen you? Yes indeed, you did have some health challenges, but we hoped, prayed and were certain that The Lord would answer us, especially believing the assurances we received from your Physicians, that you would come out of it all. It was not a question of having the capacity to afford the cost of treatment, so why did this happen? Was it to teach us to number our days, as tomorrow is never promised? To make hay while the sun shines? To always prepare for the unexpected or to always count our blessings? Surely, there has to be a plausible reason, for this sad occurrence and rude shock. But who can question God, the giver of life, who decides when and whom to take?
Our Last Meeting
Uncle Chinwe, as I fondly called you, I wish I had known that the day I saw you in July, would be the last. I would have asked you what was going on in your mind, as I observed your intense, unsettling stare at nothing really, while you put up your usual no-nonsense, serious mien even when you were not busy. The same look that those close to you have come to realise, was a facade to protect your gentle, calm and loving spirit from this harsh and cruel world.
I will never get that opportunity to see you again, or ask you that question. At least, not on this side of eternity. But I await the time when we all shall reunite with our Lord Jesus Christ, to never again be separated. As a man of many parts, you shall be missed by your immediate and extended family and friends, the Anglican Church family, the family of our Noble Legal Profession, the entire Rivers State, Nigeria and all who encountered you in this life. You have left a great vacuum, that will be a challenge to fill. May The Lord comfort us all, especially my friend, Aunty Inims, and your lovely children you left behind.
Adieu, my Uncle Chinwe. The Lord rest your soul in His ultimate peace, Amen.
Her Excellency, Mr. Justice Eberechi S. Nyesom-Wike, The Wife of the Governor of Rivers StateThe Wife of the Governor of Rivers State
“MANY WORDS CAN BE USED TO EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT FEELINGS THAT ENVELOPED MY HUSBAND AND I, ON BEING INFORMED OF YOUR PASSING. DISBELIEF, CONFUSION, SHOCK, INTENSE PAIN, SADNESS.... I COULD GO ON AND ON. THE TEARS ROLLED FREELY DOWN OUR EYES....”