Unuigbe’s Evergreen Memories
Though it has been 20 years since the family of Lt.Col. Christopher Edorhe Unuigbe lost him to the cold hands of death, his short but eventful life remains evergreen in their memories. Davidson Iriekpen writes
For the immediate and extended families of the late Lt. Colonel Christopher Edorhe Unuigbe (rtd), February 11 every year evokes very dark memories. It was on that day 20 years ago that death like a thief in the night dealt them a cruel blow, and stole the life of their role model, rallying point, unifying voice and, above all, benefactor.
Admired by both the young and elderly, Christopher or Colonel as he was fondly called depending on one's generation, died on February 11, 1996 at the age of 52. Twenty years since his passing on, the fond memories have not been dimmed by the lapse of time. Although a few other deaths have occurred in the family over the years, losing Christopher was simply unforgettable. There often seems to be something that rekindles thoughts of how remarkable his life had been.
For them, though Colonel died young, his life was a strong affirmation of the saying that it's by no means the number of years one lived that matters but the impact such a person made while alive and the lives he or she impacted. Christopher led an exemplary life that proved to be a positive inspiration for everyone that came in contact with him. His generosity was not limited to his immediate family; friends, associates and in-laws had endless experience of his benevolence.
His exemplary life is the reason February 11 is a particularly difficult one for his family as they reflect - like they do each day, as a matter of fact - on the lessons conveyed by his simplicity and enterprising spirit. To his students, Unuigbe was a disciplinarian who still embodied the necessary values that made him a father figure. To the entire Uhonmora youths, he was the driving force behind many projects in the town notably the Civic Centre. To the extended family he was a unifying voice that fought doggedly to foster unity. He abhorred disputes and rancour and ensured that every disagreement, especially those that could potentially cause disunity in the family were promptly dealt with.
Colonel believed very strongly and worked towards the education and uplift of every member of the family. He was a pillar. To his brothers and sisters, he was more or less a father; to his children, he was a guardian angel; indeed, to his wife, he was a dependable ally.
While he was alive, Colonel was a beacon whose light shone brightly on the entire family. His house was a Mecca of sorts; a place where virtually everyone sought and actually found succour. It's instructive he never despised anyone, but rather drew everybody close and in doing so united members of the family.
Such were the impacts he made in people’s lives that even with the passage of time, words like “if only Christopher or Colonel were alive” still resonates.
His selflessness was evident in the fact that there was hardly anybody who left with a sense of dissatisfaction after having met him. From his meagre salary as military officer, he tried to make everybody happy. Perhaps the most enduring legacy lay in the tireless steps he took in bequeathing a yearning for education in his family. Having benefitted so much from education which saw him traversing various cities of the world, Unuigbe encouraged members of his immediate and extended family to embrace education. He didn't merely inspire them to pursue learning, he also paid their tuition fees. Even on his sick bed when those whose fees he had long borne feared their education would be truncated, he did not disappoint them. He carried on till his last breath.
His discipline and attention to details were true exemplars for family members. To Christopher, the word "failure" was inconceivable. Once he believed in a cause, he never gave up but pursued such to a conclusive (and mostly positive) end. This trait is exemplified by his long battle with the illness that struck him years ago. He mustered an immense willpower to fight the illness until his death.
In good times and bad, he never lost his capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with his warmth and kindness. He was admired and respected for his energy and obligation to others, and especially his devotion to the betterment of his people.
Born on May 24, 1944 to Pa Oviosun Unuigbe and Madam Comfort Imoafen, his early life was greatly influenced by his father (alias "De Bala" of blessed memory). He learnt from him the values of being upright, bold, truthful and caring for the welfare of all. Little wonder, then, that these qualities featured prominently in the life of Christopher Unuigbe even unto his death.
He had his primary education at St. Peter’s School, Uhonmora-Ora, and at Christ Church School, Ilaro. Thereafter, he had his secondary school education at Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongida-Ora, from 1959 to 1963 and was popularly known as "Chro Unisco." He passed the concessional examination into University of Ibadan in 1964 and graduated with B.A. Hons (History) in 1968. He became a teacher on graduation and taught as a senior tutor at Anglican Girls Grammar School from June 1968 to March 1971.
He left his teaching job and joined the Nigerian Army as a commissioned officer in March 1971. He held several positions in the Nigerian Army comprising the following: history instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna from 1971 to 1975 and Commandant, Command Secondary School Kaduna from 1984 to 1987. While in service, he returned to school and obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1975. He retired from the Nigerian Army in September 1990 after which he had a brief stint in politics and also engaged in farming.
Upon retirement from the army in 1990, Colonel returned to his country home where he established a poultry business. He would later go into politics the next year when the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida administration lifted the ban on political activities. His genial personality and reputation endeared him to politicians in both the Owan axis as well as in the entire Edo North.
First, he pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) where he ran as running mate to Dr. Asuen who eventually lost the party’s ticket to Chief John OdigieOyegun who later became the state governor in 1992.
The high point of his political career was when he was appointed the coordinator of the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Presidential Campaign Organisation in Edo North on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Shortly after the process was truncated by Babangida, he became ill and never recovered until his passage in 1996.
For those who knew him, his death was quite devastating. But they often found solace in his immense contributions to humanity and the positive impression he made on the lives of those fortunate to have known him in such a short sojourn on earth. It's one memory that would always linger.
For those who knew him well, no doubt his democratic ideals as a great statesman with a strong voice could have made a difference especially in these trying times of dearth of good leadership in the Owan axis will always be missed. So is his input in giving his people a very strong voice.
Despite the fact that it has been 20 years since he passed on, the family is consoled that while Christopher was alive, he lived his life in the service of God and mankind.
No doubt in the years to come, Colonel will certainly live in the hearts and minds of all those he touched positively during his short but eventful life.