Former Nigeria international and member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, Adokiye Amiesimaka has said that his former teammate and captain at the national team, late Chairman Christian Chukwu lived his full life.

Reacting to the news of Chukwu’s passing, Amiesimaka said, “Chukwu lived his life, my condolences. I will reach out to the family. But what I detest is the hypocrisy of the Nigeria Football Federation. I read somewhere that they were expressing sorrow. That’s utter rubbish, they are not sincere. Do you know they were owing him? Except he was paid recently, they owed him for years; his due reward for services rendered, and they have the audacity to express grief over his death.

What a shame.” Continuing the former winger said, “for me I am happy I had the opportunity of knowing him and playing alongside him at the national team and we had an excellent relationship. Even after football we enjoyed a wonderful relationship.

I even represented him in some legal matters here in Port Harcourt.” The former international said it is always sad when one loses a friend but I want to dwell on the fact that we had sweet memories then as members of the Green Eagles. We had a wonderful experience and I am happy we won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 for the first time 45 years ago March 22, this year. I thank God for that privilege. On his part, Sylvanus Okpala, another member of the 1980 Green Eagles squad said, Chukwu’s passage was a sad story.

“It’s so unfortunate that Chukwu has passed on. When Onochie Anibeze buried his mother February, we were all there together, singing and dancing.” He said he would remember Chukwu as a gentleman. “I never saw him quarrel with anybody since the first day I knew him.”

Continuing, Okpala said Chukwu was one of the finest footballers he has ever met. ” As a defender he was very calculative. An attacker could hardly beat him. And he was a free kick specialist too.” He recalled that the late Chukwu made Enugu Rangers what it is today. “He joined Rangers in 1973 and grew through the ranks to become the face of Rangers and a national icon. We have lost him.”

Devastated Okala mourns Chukwu

Emmanuel Okala, former Nigeria international goalkeeper, says he is “devastated” by the death of Christian Chukwu in the early hours of yesterday. ‘Chairman’ Chukwu captained the then Green Eagles to Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in Lagos in 1980, following a 3-0 victory over Algeria in the final of the 22nd edition of the continental showpiece.

He also captained Rangers International to victory in the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977, and later helped Nigeria win the 1985 FIFA U-17 World Cup in China as Assistant Coach to the late Sebastian Broderick-Imasuen. Chukwu, MFR, was Technical Director of Enugu Rangers International FC until his passing. The club is currently vying for a possible eighth NPFL title. Following news of Chukwu’s demise, Completesports.com reached out to his close friend and former Rangers teammate, Emma Okala, who is almost the same age as the late defender.

The Okosi, Onitsha-born lanky shot-stopper expressed heartbreak over Chukwu’s death, noting their decades-long friendship and professional camaraderie. “I’m devastated. This is sad news for me”, Okala said. “You know how close I was to him. From our days at Rangers, we’ve been Chukwu: Amiesimaka attacks NFF over unpaid allowances together—so closely knit. “We spoke just two days ago. I’m not in a position to confirm his death formally, as only the Chairman of the Ex-Rangers Forum, Pastor Igwe Okolo, is in a position to do that,” Okala added, his voice filled with emotion.

Okala is just a few months younger than Christian Chukwu. When contacted, Pastor Igwe Okolo confirmed the passing of the 74-yearold Obe, Nkanu-born centre-back but declined to offer further details. “Yes, my brother, Chukwu has passed on. May his soul rest in the perfect peace of God,” Igwe Okolo said before ending the call.

[Vanguard]

Charles Bassey, a former Green Eagles player, has died after a prolonged battle with ill health. 

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) confirmed Bassey’s death in a statement on Sunday.

Bassey died in his native town of Eket, Akwa Ibom, on Saturday — few hours after the death of Christian Chukwu, former Eagles captain and coach. Both ex-footballers were members of the Eagles side that won Nigeria’s first Africa Cup Nations (AFCON) in 1980.

In 2019, Bassey revealed he had suffered a “nerve root compression” in his spinal cord following a car accident in 1986.

The ex-footballer added that the damage was worsening, and he was experiencing difficulty walking. He made a public plea for financial support.

In 2021, Bassey said the Femi Otedola Foundation funded his spinal cord surgery.

Bassey was also a manager, and he managed many football clubs in the Nigerian league, such as Calabar Rovers, Wikki Tourist of Bauchi, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingos, Mobil Pegasus of Eket, and Akwa United Football Club.

Bassey’s death brings the number of members in the 1980 AFCON team who have departed to nine.

They include: Best Ogedegbe, Moses Effiong, Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atugbu, Mudashiru Lawal and Martins Eyo.

[TheCable]

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has mourned the passing of Mr. Christian Chukwu, a distinguished football icon and a true patriot, who died on Saturday 12, April 2025.

In his condolence message, Governor Soludo stated that Mr. Christian Chukwu’s name is etched in the annals of Nigerian football history and his contributions to the development of the sport in our nation are immeasurable, leading the national team in winning the Nations Cup (AFCON) in 1980 

The Governor noted that as a player, he was a colossus, a formidable defender and a leader of men, captaining the legendary Enugu Rangers International Football Club and the national team, the Green Eagles now Super Eagles, with unrelenting dedication and exemplary skill. 

His leadership on the field earned him the nickname "Chairman," inspiring generations of footballers and igniting a passion for the beautiful game across the country.

The Governor also recalled that Mr. Chukwu’s tenure as coach of the Super Eagles further solidified his legacy, as he guided the team with his characteristic wisdom and tactical acumen. His commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a spirit of unity within the team left an indelible mark on the Nigerian football landscape 

Therefore, Governor Soludo consoles the family of Mr. Christian Chukwu, the Nigerian football fraternity, and all who mourn his passing, praying that his soul rest in perfect peace.

Signed,

Christian Aburime

Press Secretary to the Governor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received a State Department representative from President Donald J. Trump's administration, Mr. Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa, on Thursday in Paris.  

The meeting focused on developing a strategic economic and security partnership between Nigeria, Africa, and the United States anchored on mutual respect, prosperity, and regional stability.

The US State Department rep conveyed President Trump's strong interest in deepening direct engagement with Nigeria as a cornerstone of US relations with Africa. The US wanted to work closely with President Tinubu to expand American investment in Nigeria and Africa, support energy and infrastructure development, and align trade and job creation efforts.

Both sides discussed actionable support and shared their perspectives on regional peace, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and across the Sahel.  

President Trump's advisor recognised Nigeria's regional and continental leadership and supported President Tinubu's interventions to stabilise key African regions.

President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria's readiness to build productive alliances with the United States, centred on transparency, opportunity, mutual respect and outcomes that strengthen Africa's place in the global economy.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President,

(Information & Strategy)

Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem. 

My position is that such a progressive move by the government and its agencies does not go far enough. It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned - the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is member, should also go under the hammer. Nor should we ignore the cartoonist, Ebun Aleshinloye, who not only etched out his trenchant response to the ban but disseminated it all the way to Abu Dhabi. Let’s simply go the whole hog!

I have yet to listen to the record but the principle is inflexibly etched on any democratic template. It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye’ cartoon – and others in allied vein - as an easy to apprehend, easy to digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary, The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank.  I envy him.

We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizure of the fundamental right of free expression. It also creates a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power where governors have been known to pursue social critics across state borders, kidnap and imprison them for long spells, using the judicial machinery of never-ending trials. Oh, bear in mind also theocratic “authorities” that continue to  arrogate to themselves the right to arrest and imprison artists and thinkers for their expression of opinion and vision of human existence. The fundamental right of free expression, as already touched upon, is not a closet affair, it is never hidden but echoes as loudly on international fora as in the most obscure hamlet. 

Any government that is tolerant only of yes-men and women, which accommodate only praise-singers and dancers to the official beat, has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss. Whatever regulating body is responsible for this petulant irrationality should be compelled to reverse its misstep. 

Wole SOYINKA

NYUAD, Abu Dhabi

Ps.  It is a sadly opportune moment, but also an enraged one, to join in conveying my commiseration to the families of the latest victims of the  lynch mob  mentality that is fast overtaking the nation. Edo today, which state next? Nineteen youths in one fell swoop? 

Let this latest dent in the national armour not pass as the yet soul searing orgy that ended the life of the young student, Deborah Samuel. Recall that identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the Social Media as having lit the consuming pyre - this in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces. The horror is not in numbers but in the act itself. As long as the culture of impunity is given the sheerest strain of legitimacy in any given cause, such gruesome assaults on our common humanity will continue to prevail, and a reversion to brutish existence become a nation’s stamp of identity.

The culprits are in plain sight and so are witnesses. There can be no excuses. My heart goes out to friends, colleagues and families of victims and traumatized survivors of this senseless slaughter. Our thirst for justice must remain unslaked.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ,JAMB, has released the results of the 2025 Mock UTME, conducted on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

To this end, the board said candidates can check their results by sending “MOCKRESULT” to either 55019 or 66019 using the phone number (SIM) registered for the examination.

In a release on Sunday, through its spokesman,Fabian Benjamin, JAMB explained that, “This optional mock examination was designed to test the Board’s annual innovations and provide candidates with an opportunity to experience the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment.”

A total of 200,115 candidates initially expressed interest in participating; however, two candidates later withdrew, resulting in 200,113 registered candidates.

Of those registered, 73,844 candidates were absent on the day of the examination, and 88 candidates failed the biometric verification screening.

Consequently, 126,181 candidates successfully sat for the examination, and results for 115,735 of these candidates are now available for viewing. Additionally, 10,446 results are still being processed and will be released soon.

“The Board acknowledges the delays experienced by some candidates during the examination and regrets any inconvenience caused. These challenges are anticipated due to the new features implemented to enhance the overall conduct of the main UTME. JAMB appreciates the support of candidates and parents in facilitating a smoother process.

“The mock examination serves as a trial version of the UTME, allowing the Board to test new innovations while helping candidates familiarize themselves with the CBT environment. Over the years, this initiative has successfully achieved its objectives, addressing noted lapses and equipping candidates with valuable experience for the main examination, “the board said.

It called on all candidates to “continue making the necessary sacrifices to ensure a better examination experience that effectively serves their interests.”

The National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, on behalf of the Commission and the entire sporting fraternity, has bemoaned the death of the national team's most iconic captain Christian 'Chairman' Chukwu. Mallam Dikko spoke minutes after receiving the shocking news from Chukwu's team mate Dr. Segun Odegbami.

His words, "This news came to me as a big shock. Chairman is no more. On behalf of the Commission and the entire sporting fraternity and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria, I extend my condolences to his family and indeed the whole of Nigeria. Frankly, a big iroko tree has fallen. We are the Chairmen leading the sector but Christian Chukwu is the original Chairman on the pitch. He was so commanding and charismatic, decisive and assuring on the pitch that the Late Ernest Okonkwo called him chairman and till today that name Chairman is even more popular than his original name.

"Chairman Chukwu is synonymous with Nigerian football. He lifted our first major trophy in that 1980 AFCON. Growing up, that day stands out. Many of us draw our passion for Nigerian football from that tournament. Chairman was the main catalyst of that feat, motivating and leading the team from the foundation to success ."

He continued, "Whether as a player, coach or administrator, Chairman stamped his feet in the annals of Nigerian football and I had a very good working relationship with him for decades and we have been in constant touch. I just had a meeting with Dr. Segun Odegbami earlier this week. This is happening at a time when we need the experience and drive of the likes of Chairman to push through our vision at the Commission. This is a very gloomy day in Nigerian football.

"One thing that stands out is Chairman's passion for Nigerian football and his humility and peaceful nature all his life. Even in his latter days, he was a regular commentator on the state of Nigerian football. He is always one of the legends I look forward to reading his views on developments in the game. We will do everything within our means to immortalise him and make sure that his dream for Nigerian football is sustained."

NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade lent his voice to NSC Chairman's condolences.

He said, "This is really a sad day for Nigerian football. We all grew up loving this game because of people like Chairman Chukwu. I pray God gives his family and in fact every Nigerian football faithful the fortitude to bear this colossal loss."

Chukwu earned his place in Nigerian football folklore as captain of the victorious Africa Cup of Nations team in 1980. He was the national team captain between 1974 and 1980.

In a meritorious football career spanning about four decades, Chukwu was the Super Eagles Chief Coach from 2003-2005 leading them to bronze at 2004 AFCON. He was also the head coach of the Kenyan national team in 1998 and handled clubs like Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Heartland FC) and Rangers International.

Notably, Chukwu was the assistant coach to Sebastian Brodericks when the Baby Eagles became the first African team to win a FIFA-organized tournament at the U-16 World Cup in 1985.

As an administrator, he was the General Manager/CEO of Rangers International FC.

Signed
Kehinde Ajayi (Mrs)
Director (Information and PR)
NSC

The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, wishes to express grave concern over the growing rumours surrounding the safety of Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, CMF, Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, and his priest, Revd Fr Remigius Ihyula, following the Bishop's courageous and truthful statements on the persistent killings, violence, and displacement of innocent citizens in Benue State and across Nigeria .

Bishop Anagbe, known for his unwavering commitment to justice, peace, and the sanctity of human life, has consistently used his prophetic voice to speak out against the atrocities perpetrated against defenseless communities, especially in the Middle Belt region. His pastoral concern for the suffering and displaced, particularly the victims of violent herdsmen attacks and militia invasions, is not only a moral obligation but a clear response to the Gospel imperative of defending human dignity.

His firm stance, rooted in truth and the Gospel of justice and peace, has awakened many to the urgent need for accountability and action.

It is therefore deeply troubling to hear rumours suggesting that the Nigerian government may be planning to arrest or intimidate Bishop Anagbe upon his return to the country. If true, such actions would represent a dangerous affront to freedom of speech, religious liberty, and the fundamental right of a pastor to speak in defense of his flock.

We, the Catholic priests of Makurdi Diocese, stand solidly with our Bishop. We affirm that Bishop Anagbe has spoken the truth, a truth which many suffer in silence. Our people are being killed and driven from their ancestral homes on a daily basis, with their livelihood destroyed and eaten by cows. Homes and churches are burned down. Where is the lie in what we have suffered since 2001, and since becoming Bishop in 2014, the prelate has continued to advocate for justice in defence of his suffering people.

We have intruders, the Fulani killers and bandits who don't mean well for us, and we want them out of our land. This is not about any personality or personalities, it is about freedom and safety of our people. To target the Bishop for persecution would be to attack the truth itself and to deny the ongoing killings and sufferings of thousands of displaced persons whose lives have been upended by violence.

On March 28, 2025, Fr. Remigius Ihyula received a message from an embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. The message transmitted to Fr Ihyula warned that there "might be" an arrest warrant for Anagbe upon his return to Nigeria.

We therefore:
1. Strongly condemn any attempt to harass, silence, or harm Bishop Anagbe or any other religious leader who dares to speak truth to power.

2. Demand the immediate assurance of safety and freedom for Bishop Wilfred Anagbe , both now and upon his return to Nigeria.

3. Call on the Nigerian government and security agencies to respect his right as a citizen, a cleric, and a moral leader to speak on issues affecting his people without fear of arrest or harassment.

4. Appeal to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), all religious leaders, civil society organizations, and the international community to be vigilant and proactive in ensuring that no harm comes to our Bishop and Revd Fr. Ihyula.

5. Remind the authorities that silencing voices of conscience only deepens the wounds of injustice and emboldens perpetrators of violence.

The voice of the shepherd must not be silenced.
The cry of the oppressed must not be ignored.
Truth is not a crime and so, must never be criminalized.
Advocacy for peace and justice should never be met with repression.

We remain united in prayer, solidarity, and unwavering support for our Bishop and for all victims of injustice across our land.
We stand with Bishop Wilfred Anagbe cmf.
We stand for truth.
We stand for justice.
We stand for the people of Benue State and all persecuted communities in Nigeria.

Signed:
Rev. Fr. Joseph Terfa BEBA,
Chairman, NCDPA – Makurdi Diocese
On behalf of the Priests of Makurdi Diocese

“If you shut up truth and bury it underground; it will but grow and gather to itself such explosive power that the day it burst through, it will blow up everything in its way” – Emile Zola, 1840-1902.

I never thought President Tinubu would ever sack Mele Kyari. A few days before the announcement, a friend of mine and regular reader called me and during our discussion asked: “Dele, are you sure those in power read what you write and take them seriously?” He was referring specifically to the articles I have written about the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, and its Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari – who, in my opinion, was the worst officer ever to hold that position. Virtually every statement made by Kyari on important matters turned out to be wrong. Some, like 2 million barrels per day crude oil production, were deliberately misleading. The consequences of serial deception of Presidents Buhari and Tinubu are incalculable and destructive; because most of the failures of the annual budget have their origins in the illusions Kyari had foisted on our leaders since 2019. Perhaps it was a mere coincidence that my article titled, FG, PRIVATE REFINERIES IN MUTUAL SELF-DECEPTION, appeared two days before he was sacked. The following assertions were made then: “The most obstinate illusions are ultimately broken by facts – Trevor-Roper, 1914-2003.

When Dangote Refinery, two weeks ago, announced that it would no longer sell fuel to marketers in naira; and, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, simultaneously pronounced the end of naira-for-crude arrangement, it was clear to some of us that the illusions with which Nigerians have been living  since 2023 had been broken by the facts which had always been at our disposal; but which we chose to ignore. Alhaji Dangote, before establishing his gigantic refinery, must have consulted with the topmost leaders of the Buhari administration and the NNPCL; who promised him that he would have all the crude oil to run his refinery – whose capacity is 650,000 barrels per day.  President Buhari, who doubled as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, must have been one of them. Indeed, when in May 2023 Buhari commissioned the Dangote Refinery, which was far from being ready to produce fuel, Nigeria’s Head of State re-affirmed the readiness of the Federal Government to supply all the crude the refinery would need. It was a colossal executive lie.”

The article ended as follows:

 “Four, disbelieving Kyari, Mr Heineken Lokpobiri and the FG, when they issue assurances is the beginning of wisdom.

Five, Nigerians should accept that the promise of domestic sustainable fuel sufficiency will continue to elude us as long as we have serial dissemblers in charge of our petroleum sector. Mr Heineken was still telling participants at an event in January this year that Nigeria would soon be pumping out 2mbpd of crude – even when daily production figures in January gave the lie to the announcement. Primary school arithmetic could have proved to all of them that 650,000 to Dangote and 445,000 barrels to NNPCL’s refineries are incompatible with Nigeria’s current fiscal and monetary programmes.”

MELE KYARI WILL NOW KNOW HIS TRUE FRIENDS

 “The yes-man is the enemy. Your true friend will argue with you; fight with you” – Aleksander Solzhenitsyn, 1918-2003.

Mele Kyari, like most Nigerian top office holders, was not immune to the flattery which some of media men heap on such fortunate men. Almost everyone wants to be on their good books – for obvious reasons. Unless they are naturally abrasive, the parade of praise singers is endless. Giant strides are always being made by those known to be generous. You must be self-assured to criticise them; and even your criticism might not be published. For every critic, there are ten ready to swear on their mother’s grave that the officer is a top performer – until the man leaves office for any reason. Then, he will discover how few friends he had. One example will help illustrate the loneliness of the ex-top official. When was the last time you read anyone in the media or heard on television or radio commending Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN? In the first quarter of 2022, a group of people took out a series of advertisements in all the newspapers and some television stations urging the man to run for President. The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN, paid N100 million for his nomination form. Some members of his ethnic group joined the call for Emefiele to run. Each and everyone of the associations or individuals based their position on the wonderful work he had done as CBN Governor; how he single-handedly saved the economy from Buhari’s incompetence; made Nigeria almost self-sufficient in rice production etc, etc. Critics, like me, were regarded as nuisance; and Emefiele himself might have regarded us as enemies. Today, as he is dragged from one court to another; faces several cases and more might be on the way, he must be wondering: Where are my friends? Where were the Youths asking Emefiele to run? Has RIFAN been disbanded? Why are they not ready to testify in court to his greatness in order to balance out all the negative stuff prosecutors are setting out – rightly or wrongly – to bring a disastrous end to what should otherwise have been a glorious career? I pity Mele Kyari. If he is indicted by a deep probe into NNPCL accounts, he will discover how few friends he really had. Some have stopped calling already. The first to vanish will be his media “admirers”. The “pot of gold” has dropped from his hands into Ojulari’s lap. It is not in the interest of bounty hunters to defend an ex-officer and antagonise the fellow now able to pay. The decent beneficiaries of his generosities will not attack him directly. But, not all. He should be prepared to, henceforth, read and hear things about himself which he never thought will see the light of day. Falling off mount Everest is not easy.

PA IRO OMORODION, 1939-2025, HONOURABLE JOURNALIST

“Everyone calls himself a friend, but, only a fool relies on it. Nothing is commoner than the name; nothing is rarer than the thing” – Jean De La Fontaine, 1621-1695.

Have you ever had a friend, who you never met, talked to almost every week on the phone for over 12 years? Pa Iro Omorodion, who passed on recently and would be buried on Friday, April 11, 2025, was the second of such associations that I have been privileged to have. The first was Cecil Jones, a Jamaican artist; who was my pen friend from 1965 to 1997; before he too left me feeling empty. Pa Omorodion, incidentally, was a well-established Nigerian journalist; who, by any measure known to man, was very good and successful. Unfortunately, about the only person alive who would remember him is Chief Segun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State. But, before Osoba became Governor, he was Editor of the HERALD Newspapers; owned by the Kwara State Government. State newspapers, in those halcyon days, were professionally managed. That was why it was possible for Osoba, an Abeokuta man, and Iro, from Bendel State, to work for a Northern paper. Omorodion, however, stayed longer than Osoba. Before Herald, he had worked for defunct Morning Post for six years; New Nigerian Newspapers for a year; before putting 17 years into the service of the HERALD. Altogether, he had been in media for 26 years; rising from Reporter to Line Editor; before spending sixteen years as a Special Assistant to Dr S. O. Ogbemudia, the Governor who made Bendel great – during the Gowon administration. 

Our friendship started from him; when one Sunday he called to discuss my column that day. He partly agreed; partly disagreed but in each case he outlined his reasons in a professional manner. He was back the next Sunday and the next and the next…At one point, I decided not to pick his calls; but he persisted. Then, it dawned on me that I was listening reluctantly to someone who was an encyclopaedia on Nigeria’s political history – especially the years 1964 to 1974 – when I was away in America. He became my teacher and my Librarian; who was giving me free tutorials which enriched my articles immensely. Conscious of my ignorance of what happened during the Civil War, 1967-70, I called and relied more on his knowledge and experience as a Reporter and State Editor. Few people realised it, but, the people of the Midwest, later called Bendel, and much later, divided into Delta and Edo, suffered more than anybody else. They were brutalised by Biafran soldiers on their way to Ore; and ravaged again when Igbo soldiers were in retreat. Federal troops in pursuit of the fleeing Biafrans added heaps of salt upon Mid-Western injuries. Bendelites were the real victims of a war started by others without their consent. Pa Omorodion taught me that heart-rending lesson; and, it should not die with him.

Finally, the friendship blossomed to the point where not receiving his call or calling him meant my Sunday was not complete. I never felt closer to a person who I never met. Now, I can understand why Ogbemudia, a hard task master, who did not suffer fools gladly, kept him for sixteen years. He is such a rare gem, a beautiful soul that I wish he lived for ever – for my sake, if not for anyone else. May his gentle soul rest in perpetual peace.