Oh Nwakaibeya! Oh Nwakaibeya!
“Whose funeral are we planning?” I continue to ask myself with pain and in utter disbelief, because you were so present and so relevant. You were a gift we always had and cherished, and never would have imagined we could lose at this point in our lives.
I can still hear your voice in my subconscious, “B-boy”, you always called me, from childhood to manhood. And then the hearty laughter you were known for, which was celebrated by us, your people, as it not only resonated cheerily with all in your presence or company, but was also heard from afar.
You were so pragmatic and cerebral in your approach to issues. It was easy to discuss any matter with you, as you would not only offer wise counsel, but you were also endowed with a temperament that would recognize and entertain a rational point of view, regardless of who it was coming from.
I delighted in your company whenever the opportunity presented itself, as you would quite often share instructive life experiences, and sometimes with such great humour.
Your rare personality was well respected from within and outside the family. You were well accomplished in the Nigerian oil industry, and also held in high esteem locally and internationally by people who came into contact with you in the course of your professional career.
You were always a Sage, for as long as I could remember, but I had the privilege of closely observing your sublime sagacity at play, when I worked jointly and closely with you, early 2018, in resolving issues surrounding the sale of a parcel of land, of significant commercial value, that had belonged to “Ezeani-Onyejiaka”, your great grandfather, and my great, great grandfather.
And for context, I will note that this heritage from our forebear belonged not just to the Nwizugbe (present day Nwizu) clan, but in addition, to two other main descendants (along with their numerous matrilineal arms) of the great and wealthy Ezeani-Onyejiaka.
From all accounts, and for over two decades prior to your proposed solution in 2018, which required a remarkable sacrifice from the Nwizus, all efforts to achieve common ground between the various “umu Ezeana-Onyejiaka” families, including the Nwizus, regarding the breakup and appropriation of the parcel of land, or its sale and appropriation of proceeds thereof, had been fraught with so much acrimony, and had consistently failed. But, ultimately, it came to pass that Nwakaibeya’s well conceived initiative precipitated peace and tranquility which had eluded this process for well over twenty (20) years.
Yes, it is common knowledge that I, among others in the family, loved, respected and admired you. But for me, it wasn’t simply because you were my uncle. Granted, being your relative invariably brought about contact, but the rest was all about your sterling personality.
In September, 2016, I saw an email in my inbox from you, with the header “Certificate of Recognition” for the brief moment before I clicked to open the mail, I had wondered what that was all about. It turned out to be a letter that began with “My dearest B-boy”, and went on to comment on issues blow by blow, concluding with a commendation for a process you were pleased with the way it was handled.
Now, the specific details of your commendation is not the subject of this posthumous tribute. Rather, what I would like to demonstrate by providing herewith a transcript of my reply to your mail back then in September, 2016, is what it meant to me, and what I imagine it would mean to anybody else, to be commended or recognized by such a GREAT MAN.
“Greetings Uncle Ifeanyi, and many thanks for such a certificate from the esteemed "University of Nwakaibeya"
Coming from you, sir, which makes all the difference, I consider it a Great Testimonial, and it's as much appreciated as the profound thought behind it.
Warm regards and God bless! Obiora”
I don’t know if anybody else ever got a certificate from the “University of Nwakaibeya”. But I am so proud of mine.
Finally, by any stretch of imagination, it is no trifle what your sudden exit at this point represents to the Nwizus, and to others beyond the family. It has been said that you have broken a lot of hearts – So true!
It is such an enormous sacrifice that God, in His unfathomable will, has imposed on us, and my prayer to the Almighty is that He forgives our doubts and our somewhat sense of betrayal, occasioned by our painful loss, and helps us to deal with the pain and the void, and that it may be consistent with His will to spare us such significant sacrifices from generation to generation. “Ozo Emena”, in Jesus Name, Amen!
Adieu Nwakaibeya!
Your proud B-Boy!
Obiora Nwizu