A Tribute To My Boss
“The great wheel of fate rolls on like a Juggernaut and crushes us all into powder—some soon, some later. Yet it does not matter when; in the end, it crushes us all.”
Sir Henry Rider Haggard’s sentiments, as captured in the above quote, encapsulate a profound truth regarding human earthly existence.
But no matter how truthful the above statement may seem, I still find myself at a loss in accepting the realities of those words now that THE SOON part has happened to me.
I’ve always found it easy to express myself, yet your sudden departure has left me grappling with a profound sense of loss. It’s hard for me to come to terms with the impact you’ve had on my life, and I’m struggling to find the right way to honor your memory.
“OGBOO! RELAX I WILL BE DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL THIS EVENING”… you said three reassuring times and on each of the three occasions that you repeated those words, you told me to thank your wife immensely for her resilience and support all along. Yet it didn’t occur to me that you were bidding me an eternal farewell.
I shouldn’t have believed you, but why shouldn’t I when you have never disappointed me, even when I obeyed you against my very own wishes?
In 2007, when you asked me to join you in Ghana, I had a different plan. However, after a lengthy discussion in your bedroom, you told me in our local dialect – ibe ọhụ ile ekpe anya awụgụ ibe ọga afụ ụzọ. You promised to show me the exact means through which the Ekpe Masquerade sees—a promise you kept to the last letter.
You never withheld any information that could enhance my well-being and that of those around you. We lived like siblings, sharing many pleasant memories and mutual respect for each other, along with countless moments of happiness together, I can go on and on…
I will forever cherish the atmosphere of brotherliness and peaceful coexistence that prevailed between us.
Lerua anya Udo-edo-ọha
Lerua anya UTS
Lerua anya Atabirinyankpe
Lerua anya Oji-azụ-ekpu-obu
Lerua anya Amadị Ụmụ Otutu-Ezi
Lerua anya Amadị Ụmụa NnaUkwu
Lerua anya Nnannam!
Your legacy lives on …afịa ịkpayị ka nọwa azụ
~Udo Emea.
