To Pa Adesanya

When I read news of the passing away of Yoruba leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya, I left the classroom and went back to my room quietly. I remember Pa Adesanya’s contributions to the growth of our country during Abacha’s satanic regime. Abacha's strike force tried to kill him but God protected him.If not for the likes of Pa Adesanya, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi and Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye who fought Abacha and his illegal regime, Nigeria would have experienced a second civil war.

When Adesanya was alive, he brought unity to the Yoruba race. A vaccum has indeed been created in Afenifere. It would be hard to see anybody like him. He was a true follower of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Personally, I cannot forget the role he played during the Abacha era. Pa Adesanya, you have fought a good fight,you have left a good name..Nigerians will miss you.I mourn your departure.I declare today a free lecture day as sign of respect for you. Adieu Pa Adesanya, may your soul rest in peace

Revd Canon Adegboyega Agoro,
St Paul's University,
Private Bag Limuru 00217,
Limuru Kenya,
East Africa

Tribute to a genius

The news of Professor Chike Obi’s transition to the great beyond came to me as a devastating blow.I remember with nostalgia our struggle with him to build a democratic and united Nigeria.

I remember my association with Professor Obi in the First Republic parliament. He was a member of parliament on the platform of NCNC, and I was of the UMBC. At that time, we shared so many things in common. At a time he invited me to his home in Ibadan. That was in the early 1960, before we obtained flag independence Prof. Obi, as a parliamen-tarian then, surprised everybody with his radical views, especially when the NCNC was in coalition with the ruling NPC. When challenged for his strong opposition, he always said he was elected by Nigerians and there was need for him to represent them properly. We shared so many thoughts about the future of Nigeria.

I recall with joy, how we all witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the hoisting of our national flag. We all sang the national anthem together in company with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Chief J.S. Tarka, Hon. Anthony Enahoro, among other parliamen-tarians and nationalists.

At the collapse of the First Republic and the outbreak of the civil war, we had a brief separation, not too long after the civil war; we both reunited and continued our crusade for a better and democratic Nigeria.

A detribalized Nigerian, Prof. Obi was born in Zaria and spent most of his life in the West. He even gave his children names other than Igbo names. He had Hausa and Yoruba names for his biological children.

When I was elected Executive Governor of old Plateau State, we were very close. We shared ideas and how to make our country great. He was always espousing brilliant ideas, and in rare humility never considered himself first. He was an apostle of the common good.

When he established Nana Institute, based in Onitsha, he appointed me a director of the institute and General George A. Inieh from Delta was the chairman of the institute. He was more concerned with national interest, so he mixed freely and fully with Nigerians of like mind. Prof. Obi was so charming; he excelled in everything not only in his chosen carrier-mathematics, but also in administration, philosophy, social justice and the like. Prof. Obi has no doubt touched millions of lives.

He was a man who cherished his calling as a mathematician and would always want to interpret situations/issues mathematically. I remember my discussion of the Bible with him when I refered him to where Joshua prayed and the sun stood still at the valley of Ai jalon .He could not dispute it, but said he should be given time to establish a scientific or mathematical explanation for that.

No words can comfort us, but our confidence is in the Lord Jesus.
Adieu, Adieu, my fellow compatriot.

Chief (Dr.) Solomon D. Lar (CON),
Langtang,
Plateau State.