Tribute to Chief Ekere
Wole Arisekola, Publisher, Street Journal, highlights the life and times of the late Obong G. S. Ekere, father of His Excellency, Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom
Paying tribute to a late father is like reminiscing on the good training and education he gave one. Therefore, never you wallow in grief that ‘he is no more,’ but be forever in thankfulness that he was and still remains immortal, because those we love never truly leave us. There are things death cannot touch, as the journey to the final rest of Obong (Sir.) G.S. Ekere KJW, the last generation of the Awolowo political dynasty who died at the ripe age of 90, commences.
As the church and the entire Ekere family have scheduled and prepared activities to celebrate Papa’s life on Saturday, September 11, 2021, they would be highly honoured to receive and play host to many admirers and well-wishers during the obsequies, because Papa Ekere lived a very fulfilled life even as a nonagenarian.
Papa celebrated his last birthday on November 3, 2020, surrounded by his wife, eight children, 22 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a host of friends and associates who will all miss him dearly.
I met Papa five years ago in the house of one of his sons, His Excellency, Chief Nsima U Ekere, former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom state and former MD, NDDC in Port Harcourt. My encounter with him was more of a valuable experience between a father and his son. Papa took me back to the politics of the then Wild, Wild West and how Nigeria and Nigerians missed it by not allowing the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo to rule the country.
Papa G.S. Ekere was an encyclopedia of knowledge and an emeritus Professor of History and International Relations. He was so knowledgeable to the extent that I asked him if he was a teacher of History, because he spoke good and polished English to merit this.
Papa knew nearly all the astute politicians in the West. He asked me if late Papa Adesanya was still alive, and I answered in the negative. The Yoruba politics would have been more compact than how it is now. He spoke well about Chief Olusegun Osoba, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande and all the progressive elements in the South West.
Sir (Obong) G.S Ekere lived a courageous, graceful and impactful life. He had a distinguished career spanning more than five decades as a school teacher, sports administrator, public servant, opinion/community and church leader in all its ramifications.
In his utmost and genuine curiosity, he wanted to know whether I was a contractor or a general businessman, because my surname is very prominent in the world of successful businessmen in Nigeria. I told him journalism and businesses are my professions. As fate will have it, I was part of the media team of His Excellency, Godswill Akpabio between 2018 and 2019, where I had enough opportunity to work closely with H.E Nsima Ekere, the then APC gubernatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom State.
I told Papa that I was in Port Harcourt to see my brother and dependable, loyal partner, Moljengo Kaltungo, a Director at NDDC.
Sir G.S. Ekere was not just a father to his children but a father to all of us. He was a mentor, advisor, and strongest supporter to an uncountable number of people. He invested his energy, love, and resources to build people and the community. His life was a good book and through it, many people learned the values of integrity, accountability, service to God, humanity, and a total and unflinching commitment to the common good of all around him.
Papa left rich legacies that will serve as a bed rock for all of us that a good name is better than gold or silver and that we must learn to grow with the people around us. That’s the trait and hallmark of selfless leaders.
As we greet our elders in the Southwest region of Nigeria, ‘Omo rere lo ma gbeyin awa na oo.’ Amin O.