THE BRILLIANT MR KUPA, JAFARU AFANUETHA, FCA

Secondary School Life

In the 80s, secondary school education was so good and overly exciting in the old Bendel State. This was helped, in no small measure, with the establishment of secondary schools by the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by its charismatic Governor, Professor Folorunsho Ambrose Alli (may God continue to bless his beautiful and brilliant soul) at almost every village of the State through her Free Education Policy.

So, I was at Agenebode from September 1982 to June 1987 for my secondary school education where I attended Army Day Secondary School, Agenebode (ADSSA) which was established in the 80s. I was initially at Anegbette Mixed Secondary School from September 1981 to July 1982 for my secondary school Form One.

In those days, assembly grounds were the announcement grounds as there were no social media handles. After the National Anthem and Pledge were rendered, the day’s announcements were followed before the student march into their various arms of classes. These were after the morning prayers or sometimes, the singing of the Devotional Hymns and School Anthem (if any), have been rendered. However, some schools adopted the afternoon closing hour to announce the day’s announcements and distribution of letters received through the school mailbox from the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), the operator of the post office boxes.

Truly, the famous assembly grounds served as the social media platforms for all schools where all information concerning the progress or otherwise of the secondary schools, especially of ex-students that excelled in their May/June West African Examinations Council (WAEC). The top results were always announced, publicly on the assembly grounds.

And even the terminal or sessional results.

At Agenebode, we were hearing about some students, particularly two, who were making brilliant exploits at Uzanu Secondary School, Uzanu. They were so brilliant that their names were everywhere because then, there was this unwritten tradition where most secondary schools announced the results, particularly of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) of their best students at the assembly grounds.

Consistently, these two names were prominently, if not permanently mentioned. There were so good and brilliant that brilliance and intelligence became synonymous with their names.

In this, I heard, very loudly at Agenebode when their names were announced at the school assembly ground, and I tried to emulate them, even though I have never met them, yet mine was never announced on the assembly ground, especially my West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result of May/June 1987, where it was in the secret of the day that I silently sneaked into the school for my own result where I was mandated to pay for my outstanding fees which I did, only to be given a result that almost not represented mine.

Sincerely, if I have had the grace of clairvoyance to peep into the content of the envelope as submitted by West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in May/June 1987, perhaps, I would never have paid such an amount to collect a result that was not worthy to be announced at the school assembly ground.

But not for Mr Ogie, Simon Dada. And not for Mr Kupa, Jafaru Afanuetha. These two were the eggheads of our time and throughout our secondary school days, their names reverberated loudly along the corridor of Etsako and by extension, Bendel State, now Edo and Delta States.

They were simply good and in this, they won several prizes in academics for their school, Uzanu Secondary School, Uzanu.

However, and even with the rivalries of secondary schools both in academics through the Literary (Debating) Society and sporting activities, particularly of football and occasional invitational Inter-house School Competitions, strangely, I never had the chance to know them intimately or meet them to fully associate with them.

This was a mystery because Uzanu was so close to Agenebode, yet far away!

Life After Secondary School

The Preacher says it that ‘every decision that we make, shapes the kind of person that we become and our character, in turn, determines the kind of future that we would experience.’

So, it was in this that Jafaru with his ‘twin’ brother, Simon decided to take up employment with Nigeria Valley Farms (Agro-Allied Industrial Company) at Agenebode where they were from 1986-1990 and subsequently with Enomah Office Equipment Limited, Benin City from 1990 to 1991 before they finally gained admission into Auchi Polytechnic in the summer of 1992 to read Accountancy.

Strangely, I rounded off my secondary school education at Agenebode in 1987 and subsequently travelled to Benin City in January 1989 to study and sit for my General Certificate Examinations (GCE) in 1990. In these two instances, I never, physically encountered neither Jafaru nor Simon both at Agenebode or Benin City even though it were possible that we were living in the same or nearby vicinity.

However, recounting his humble beginning at Agenebode, Jafaru stated clearly how he started his working career with Niger Valley Farms, Agenebode, an Agro Industrial company established by General George Agbazika Innih of blessed memory in the then Bendel State, but now Edo and Delta States as a ‘Piggery Attendant’ where his job duty amongst others, was to feed pigs, bathe pigs and piglets, wash pigsty, take any sow that is on ‘heat period’ to the boar for servicing, and take care of the piglets whenever sow farrows. And apart from the normal feeds, he also does feed the pigs with cooked chicken, boiled eggs, cassava and even ‘pepper soup’ made from chicken offal. In this, he humorously added ‘do not ask whether like the prodigal son who longed to partake in swine food, whether Piggery Attendants do partake of the ‘offerings,’ especially of the cooked chicken.

This is humorous, but serious, serious because of the type of job that Jafaru was doing at Niger Valley Farms, Agenebode.

However, as a result of his diligence in his duties, he was moved to Accounts Department as an Account Clerk through the spirit of magnanimity of one Mr Monday Ighalo who was the Accountant and through the same Mr Ighalo, he also worked as an Account Clerk in Enomah Office Equipment Limited, Benin City, an equipment company owned by Mr Francis Amadasun and since they are always ‘twins’ in everything, Simon also worked as an Account Clerk in Madona Organization Limited, a sister and construction company owned by the same Mr Amadasun. Providentially, Mr Monday Ighalo was the Accountant of both companies where they shared the same office in the same building along Murtala Mohammed Way, Benin City. And it was while working here that they both gained admission to study Accountancy at Auchi Polytechnic in October 1992.

Truly, their diligence at Niger Valley Farms, Agenebode and subsequently at Enomah Office Equipment Limited and Madona Organization Limited served as vital foundations of what they would become in the future. However, this was made possible by God, using His son, Mr Monday Ighalo to be of immense help to them.

Auchi Polytechnic

At Auchi Polytechnic, I finally met these two mercurial individuals when fate brought me to Auchi in 1993 when I gained admission to Auchi Polytechnic, but I resumed in January 1993, almost three months after, where they were already students in the Accountancy Department and with the presence of my brother and friend, Mr Joseph Oshiomah Oboh, began our life-long journey of brotherhood and friendship.

And this was how I finally met the brilliant Mr Kupa, Jafaru Afanuetha and Mr Ogie, Simon Dada which I have since chronicled as ‘Rotarian Simon Dada Ogie: A Brother Saved My Life’ on Wednesday, June 06, 2018. In this, I never lured them to be my friend, but it was simply natural, natural because the blood of Uneme flows in us.

Now, the Uneme People or Nation, is scattered all over the world, but they are predominantly found in the Afenmai Land of Edo North Senatorial District, particularly in Etsako East, Etsako Central and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas of Edo State where you would find the Uneme Uzanu (East Uneme Clan), where Jafaru and Simon are from, Uneme Udochi (where I come from) and Uneme Anegbette (South Uneme Clan); Uneme Aki-Osu, Uneme Erhurun; Uneme Ekpedo (Central Uneme Clan) and Uneme Nekhua (Enekhua), Uneme Akpama and Uneme Aiyetoro (North Uneme Clan) respectively and our spoken language is the Uneme Language.

Perhaps, it was this our peculiar Uneme heritage that drew us together, not as an act of tribalism or clannishness, but as an act of pride, pride in our roots, the Uneme roots, but more than this, it was the friendly disposition of Jafaru and Simon that made this to happen and happen quickly, thus becoming a pivotal moment in our relationship.

Honestly, as already chronicled in my various Chronicles, I arrived at Auchi Polytechnic extremely late in January 1993, precisely on Tuesday, January 26, 1993, where my course and school mates were already in school since October 1992 or so.

However, I was lucky to meet people that put their discomfort for my comfort. One of such persons, is the brave and courageous Mr Joseph Oshiomah Oboh. He is my brother, friend, and age mate. We practically grew up together at our dearest Community, Udochi, South Uneme. And while he was entering his second year in his Ordinary National Diploma (OND), I was just beginning mine and it was through him that I finally, physically met the brilliant and intelligent minds of Jafaru and Simon.

And what an opportunity it was, and it has been since January 1993!

Jafaru is very brilliant. And he is intelligent. At Auchi Polytechnic, he proved that his name that was constantly announced at the assembly ground of Uzanu Secondary School, Uzanu for the five (5) years that he was there as one of the pioneer students, was never a fluke.

He always performed well both in the semester and sessional examinations, where, neck-to-neck, he dragged this enviable position with his ‘twin’ brother, Mr Ogie, Simon Dada like they did throughout their secondary school days.

Truly, I was simply inspired by them. At Auchi Polytechnic, they both buried their heads into their books and studied extremely hard. And while others read books, they simply read libraries to the extent that some of us thought or believed that there were no books left for us to read at the library.

In this, they graduated, top of their class!

Honestly, with Simon Dada Ogie, they are like twins. Indeed, they are twins, the only striking difference being that they are from different parents. This is how close they have always been from the humble community of Uzanu to the present and according to Jafaru in one of our chit-chats on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, ‘Simon is the social girl while he is the home boy!

Funny, but it is true because Simon seems to be the most outgoing one than Jafaru, but when it comes to book and brilliancy, they are simply inseparable!

Hoste H (The Presidential Hostel)

I do not know why it is called Presidential Hostel; however, its original name is Hostel H which I believe still subsist till this moment. It is because it always houses the President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG).

Perhaps!

So, in my final year, HND II, I was allocated a bed space at this prestigious Hostel in Room H2 to the left side of the Hostel where my room became a convergence of sort, not only for my course and departmental mates, but most importantly for my Afenmai brothers and sisters. And on the same ground floor, just to the right of my wing, was the room of Jafaru and Simon at Room H14.

Here, we became remarkably close, and we would visit each other in our different rooms at various times to exchange ideals, pleasantries and discuss issues that were of mutual interest and benefits to us, not only in academic and general school life, but our challenges as Uneme.

And it was here that we all bonded very well, as we all did care for one another by sharing a lot together, especially with our participation in social events on campus through our memberships of Etsako Students’ Association (ESA), Uneme Students’ Association (USA), Nigerian Federations of Catholic Students (NFCS) and Rotaract Club.

Truly, life in Hostel H, the Presidential Hostel was particularly good for us as it accommodated us and allowed us to study to excel in our various academic pursuits.

The NYSC Ipaja Camp of 1998

Armed with a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Call Up Letter with a call-up No: NYSC/AUP/97/77922 marked as Telegram: NAYOUTH with number 0644843 for the 1997/98 Service Year, I arrived the Ipaja Camp on Monday, August 10, 1998 as one of the earliest arrivals and I was assigned NYSC State Code Number LA/97/4440 and placed in Platoon 5, which we later, famously code named as the ‘Famous Five’ after the iconic ‘The Famous 5’ film of George, Julian, Dick, Anne and their dog Timmy of the 80s or so.

At the Ipaja Camp, there was a contingent of Auchi Polytechnic students that could easily had fill a Platoon, if not two. And amongst this contingent was Jafaru, but I cannot now recall the Platoon that he belonged to.

In the early days of the Camp opening, we met one Mr Ikhumi from Fugar who took a key interest in us and provided key assistance to us. And if I recall correctly, I was the one that took and introduced Jafaru to him when we were having challenges with the kits, particularly the trousers and crested vest as we sought the ones that could easily fit us without necessarily visiting the ever shylock Tailors at the Mammy Markets.

Mr Ikhumhi was so good to us at the Ipaja Camp in 1998. He ensured that we had a pleasant camping experience. Unfortunately, it was the era that the spirit and blood of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) had not smelt the beautiful fragrance of the land and shores of Nigeria; hence we lost contact with him.

Truly, Mr Ikhumhi was good to us at the Ipaja Camp in 1998 and wherever he is presently, may God continue to bless him and his family for us because he was indeed a good man to us. Through him, we gained many privileges.

In truth, life at the 1998 Ipaja Camp was remarkably interesting. I personally participated in most, if not in all the activities, but my football participation where I was one of the Technical Directors for my Platoon, stood out for me as we competed with a great team that got to the finals, but lost narrowly during the Sporting Week Activity.

On the other hand, Jafaru, though humble was not quiet in the Camp. He has a strong personality, and he is never afraid to be different as far as this does not go against the laws of the land and morality.

So, at the Variety Night at the Ipaja Lagos NYSC Camp in 1998, it was not surprising when Jafaru contested and came third in the ‘Macho Man’ competition tagged ‘The Past, Present and Future.’

I still reminisce about that event with goosebumps all over my body when Jafaru appeared with his bare chest and muscles that were not too visible to the eyes!

That night, he defied ?every odd against him in this competition and although his entrance and participation seemed funny to some of us, the large contingent from Auchi Polytechnic students then, but looking back now, it was a great moment of pride for us and for our Alma Mater as he courageously represented us, holding our flag, our collective flag high and higher during the approximately three (3) weeks (21 days) that we spent at the regimented camp away from families and friends.

To such, was a great courage, a great courage demonstrated and displayed by him, not minding the jeers that may come his way and through this, won, won not only for himself, but for all who believed in their abilities to excel no matter the odds.

That night certainly belonged to him for his uncommon courage and personality. The Variety Night, particularly the Macho Man competition was later aired by Daar Communications Limited, the operators of the African Independent Television (AIT) and Jafaru was proudly on the face of the screen of the television, watched in many homes and offices.

Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) and Working Life

Through the trio assistance of Mr Ikhumhi (NYSC), Mr Azegbeobor Timothy Sunday of the Nigerian Army and Mr Felix Kolo (CBN), we were, myself and my brother and friend, Mr Joseph Oshiomah Oboh posted to serve our One Year Mandatory Service Year with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). While I served in the Agric Finance Department, Lagos Office, Joseph served with the Open Market Operation (OMO) Department.

However, Jafaru was posted to serve with Generations Investment Limited that was into the sale of cars. Indeed, he opted to go and serve with the Company because he wanted much time to prepare and write the ever-difficult diets of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) examinations which he passed with flying colours at the first attempt.

Truly, what one becomes is always deliberately thought out as the Preacher was not wrong when he said, ‘that every decision that we make, shapes the kind of person that we become and our character, in turn, largely determines the kind of future that we would experience.’

In 1998 and even now, Jafaru had a discerning mind and in this, he knew the path that he wanted to walk and deliberately choose to walk this path, the path of a bright future as he became a Chartered Accountant at the first asking because he deliberately choose this path and studied very hard for it.

Remarkably, he was a Chartered Accountant before our one-year mandatory service to our fatherland, the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) was over.

Again, this proved that his name that was constantly mentioned on the assembly ground of Uzanu Secondary School, Uzanu both in the terminal and sessional examinations and brilliant performance in class at Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi were never bought, but earned, earned through the hard work of study, burning the midnight oil consistently and constantly.

This is therefore a constant reminder to everyone that while success may be hard to achieve, it is attainable only for those who remain focused, determined, and anchored their faith in their God.

Providentially, I was employed, barely two (2) weeks after our Passing-out-Parade (PoP) by Oceanic Bank International Plc on Monday, August 23, 1999, and I was deployed to the Records/Performance Management Unit, Human Resources.

Jafaru worked first as an Accountant with Rockson Engineering Limited in Port Harcourt and was subsequently employed by Allstates Trust Bank Plc; however, his ?desire to join us in Oceanic ?Bank when ?Allstates was experiencing some financial turbulence and uncertainty in the banking sector, were never successful for reasons I could not fathom as he was not only well qualified, but other job seekers with lesser qualifications were employed.

Sincerely, this was one of the sad tastes on my tongue throughout my career with Oceanic Bank International Plc as I could not helped him to join us in the Bank. However, Jafaru took this with equanimity of mind, believing that it is only God that gives and whatever He did not give, no one can take by force or by any method.

His mind was calm throughout that most challenging period and amazingly, it is his present employer, Ecobank Nigeria Limited that Oceanic Bank International Plc was consolidated into on Saturday, December 31, 2011.

Truly, our world is a very strange stage!

The Gift of Friendship

In recent years, it was through Jafaru that I got the gift of a loyal friend in Mr Sodeke, Ademola Kolawole which I have since chronicled as ‘Mr Sodeke, Ademola Kolawole: My Maximum Respect!’ on Friday, August 31, 2018.

It happened that while working with Allstates Trust Bank Plc and while the bank was experiencing some financial turbulence and uncertainty in the financial industry, he sent one of his friends to me to drop his curriculum vitae (CV) with us at Oceanic Bank International Plc. However, when his friend came and after reviewing his curriculum vitae (CV) that was not properly arranged, I advised him to go and rearrange it or if it was on a flash drive that I could help him with it, but before he left, he decided to drop the curriculum vitae (CV) of another colleague with me pending his return.

I recall that I had jokingly said to him, ‘you never submit your own curriculum vitae (CV) that you came for, but you want to submit another person’s own? What if that person takes your own place?’

Sincerely, this was the conversation between me and his friend on that day, however I collected the curriculum vitae (CV) and without looking at the name on it, I submitted it to our Recruitment Unit and to cut a long story short, this was how Mr Sodeke Ademola Kolawole, FCIB was employed in Oceanic Bank International Plc on Monday, April 03, 2006, who in true gratitude, looked for me and throughout our years in Oceanic and even now, has become more of a brother than a friend or professional colleague.

Consistently, he has lent us his big and strong muscles for us to lean on through the kindness of his heart and this is the great gift of friendship that Jafaru gave to me and my family.

An inspiration

Sincerely, Jafaru is an inspiration!

Like stated above, one inspiration that I find interesting about him is that he can put his comfort at discomfort for the comfort of others.

For instance, when in Oceanic Bank International Plc, he sent many job seekers, most of them unknown to him, for job placements to me where many were successful even when he has not been able to secure a place with the Bank.

This inspires me and will continue to inspire me because it is said by the wise ones that ‘in life, what we spent, we had, what we saved, we lost, but what we gave, we have’ and this is what would count as treasures for us in heaven.

Truly, Jafaru’s only preference in life is to give and give and give. He can give of himself for the good of the other.

His life teaches us how to be compassionate and generous, always because ‘a true Christian life means showing love, kindness, and mercy to everyone.’

In this, Jafaru is a model for us today on how to be kind and generous, not only with material things, but in everything, especially in and with our words.

Milk of kindness

It has rained heavily the previous night, Thursday, November 10, 2022 and after our family prayers with the recitation of the Holy Rosary on Friday, November 11, 2022 and as I was about to step out of the house to attend morning Mass at our Lady of Perpetual Help, 14B, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island, Lagos before proceeding to EPAC Place, the Corporate Office of Ecobank Nigeria Limited located at Plot 270B, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos to collect the National Housing Fund forms (NHF) that I had collected from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) earlier and dropped with the Human Resources on Tuesday, November 08, 2022 for them to complete their portions of the forms, I knew that the day was going to be good, but how, I never knew.

So, after I had collected the forms from Mr Farouk Bakare who attended to me with a lightning speed, courtesy and calmness of mind, I decided to put a call to him and he told me that he was about to enter the office, hence I should wait for him at the reception, so I waited.

And he came.

He came and we discussed warmly about all things, past and present, but most importantly, the future and as I was set to go, he did, once more, the unexpected.

He gave me his hand and said, ‘just manage this for breakfast,’ but I could only respond ‘I should not have called you if I had known that this would happen.’

Truly, blood, they say, is thick than water. On that day, Friday, November 11, 2022, Jafaru proved this again because without a prior notice that I was coming to EPAC Place, he acted, acted in brotherly love for me and for my family.

However, this was not the first time that he was reaching out to me and my family so generously. For instance, on Saturday, July 19, 2014, we had gone to my Parish, the Catholic Church of the Annunciation, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah to pick our then Associate Parish Priest, Reverend Father Anthony Okoro to bless the house of our brother, Mr Ogie, Simon Dada, FCA who had just moved to our area and on our way back when we went to drop the Priest back at the Parish, Jafaru stretched forth his hands towards me as he dropped me off at my house.

That day, Saturday, July 19, 2014, will remain indelible in my heart because unknown to him, we had nothing on us. That was a period of great struggle for us and as I went into the room, tears started streaming down my face, tears of joy flowed freely, and this was made possible by the kindness of Jafaru as he had compassion on us at that very moment.

This is incredibly significant and worth reflecting on.

In truth, kindness is rooted in him, in his heart because the central theme of his heart is kindness, where giving, through charity and charitable acts and works of kindness, are central to his traits.

Strangely, I did all that I could do to bring him into Oceanic Bank International Plc, yet he was never successful even when he was qualified, yet he is the one that has been most generous to us compared to those that we assisted, directly.

So, this inadequate Chronicle offers me the profound opportunity to reflect on his kindness and compassion for us and to express my appreciation for his continued goodness and generosity towards us.

My own dearest brother, God will continue to bless you and your most amazing family for us. Our Mother Mary will continue to hold you and your family in her maternal love, the mantle of her heart.

The Love of Mothers

It is said that ‘no one can ever equate the love of a mother,’ and this is why it is always advised that when we have them with us, we should always take diligent care of them.

Jafaru took diligent care of his mother, our mother, Mama Grace Oyomhanegbo Ilamah who herself showed great and selfless generosity towards those in need while she was here with us.

So, when Mama Grace Oyomhanegbo Ilamah died on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at the age of seventy-one (71) years, it was a difficult moment for everyone connected with her, but not for Jafaru because he knew that he took good care of her and as a Christian, he knew that her death was not the end, but the very beginning of life as he would meet her again on the resurrection morning at the feet of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

However, with a son, Reverend Father Emmanuel Bashir as a Priest of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, expectedly, she was given the most solemn burial that she rightly deserved where her Funeral Mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend (Dr) Gabriel Ghiakhomo Dunia, the Bishop of Auchi Diocese on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Agenebode with the presence of many of his brother Priests to bid their mother a farewell. This was a fitting farewell to a mother who went to the Mission by giving, the giving of her son, Reverend Father Emmanuel Bashir and gracefully, her beautiful and kind remains was buried in the holy soil of Sacred Heart Cemetery, Agenebode.

Mama Grace Oyomhanegbo Ilamah was a good mother. She was a good mother to all. Her native name ‘Oyomhanegbo’ means ‘no man determines his or her own end. In other words, ‘it is not according to man’s plan, but what God has planned or determined.’

Truly, African names hold so much meaning and in the case of our mother, Oyomhanegbo, the meaning of her name came through for her because she would not have wanted a death on the ordination anniversary of her son, yet God willed it to be so.

The adoption of my mother as one of his mothers

The Year 2022 was a difficult one for us. And it was the last day of the Year 2022 when I received a chat from him on Saturday, December 31, 2022, where he simply said to me, ‘please send me your accounts details again to enable me send something to your mother’ and I did.

This serves as tangible expressions of his love for mothers.

I cannot forget his admonition to me on Thursday, September 21, 2023, when he said to me ‘take care of your mother. Mothers are precious. It is good we take diligent care of them especially in their old age so that when they depart, they will leave with good memories.’

This admonition is apt for me as I have taken it in my heart where I try to live it out, daily.

Truly, when acts of kindness and generosity are so consistent to the point of giving oneself, it is no longer kindness or generosity, it is simply humanity.

And this is what the brilliant Mr Kupa, Jafaru Afanuetha, FCA represents to and for us since the death of his mother, our mother Mama Grace Oyomhanegbo Ilamah on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. He has simply adopted my mother, a woman that he has never met to be one of his mothers.

Through her, he has consistently blessed us with the kindness of his heart and the generosity of his hand.

The Pen and Jafaru

Jafaru is good with the pen. In fact, the pen is one of his best friends and with it, he can turn alphabets into words and words into life.

On Monday, August 09, 2021, writing on his ‘twin’ brother in ‘Simon Ogie: It Is Time to Tell the Story during his golden jubilee celebration, he told a story that only the sage could tell. It was a Chronicle worthy of any literary award.

In particular, he wrote about his brother and friend, Simon in sincerity and honesty when he wrote ‘in addition, that moment has arrived for us to enchant the elements and bade them join us in blazing forth the birth date of that young man who is the very embodiment of humility, the personification of gentility, an abiding sign of industry, adequate representation of the spirit of doggedness, the very symbol of perseverance, the one who encapsulates the spirit of diligent love and contagious compassion.’

This was not only apt, but illustrative of the mind of the person of Jafaru. He is a man who revels in the successes and progress of others. And through the ink of the pen of his fingers, he always put this into words whenever the opportunity avails itself.

Writing further, he states ‘here is that story of how a young and anonymous lad from the little-known community of Uneme Uzanu has risen from grass to grace, from obscurity to prominence, from poverty to wealth. Simon Ogie literally and metaphorically represents these bunch of boys and girls that through unrelenting and indomitable spirit, sheer determination, and doggedness to succeed against all odds ascended the Olympian heights of success.’

Indeed, Jafaru is a great Writer because in a piece written and posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, March 05, 2022, and titled ‘Oyomhanegbo: So That Was Your Final Dance on Earth,’ he wrote ‘Oyomha! Truly, Oyomhanegbo! Oshomha. That ancient question of what is in a name has once again come to the fore by the death of my dear mother Oyomhanegbo who died on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. ‘Oyomhanegbo,’ that is ‘our plans and destiny are not within our power and control.’ As a counter poise to the name of Oyomha, there is Oshomha, which is loosely translated as ‘it is God that plans and direct our future.’ The saying that man proposes while God disposes is what is encapsulated in the name of ‘Oyomha.’

In Etsako names are not without meaning and significance. Names often come from the circumstances and situations of one’s parents at the time of one’s birth. That she was christened Oyomhanegbo, ‘Oyomha’ for short, is an attestation to the circumstances that was prevailing in the Ilamah Amegbe’s family at the time of her birth. She was the second child and second daughter of Ilamah Amegbe. Her father, Ilamah prior to getting married to Titi, her mother, had other wives with none of them giving him any child or children. Titi eventually broke the jinx of childlessness by giving birth to first a baby girl who was named Osiakpemhe, then followed by my mother who was now named Oyomhanegbo. Why? Because if things depended on our plans, her father would have long given birth to other children before her birth.

Amazingly, the meaning of her name rings even truer by the manner she departed from this world. Come to think of it, if not that Oyomha, do you think she would have chosen to depart this earth on the very same day that one of her sons, Reverend Father Emmanuel Bashir would have celebrated the eighth (8th) year anniversary of his Priestly ordination? She died on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. February 22 is the anniversary date of her son’s ordination. Instead of joy and rejoicing on that day, it was a day of sorrow and anguish. But the bond between mother and child is an everlasting one. It is a relationship that is initiated in time but transcends time, it lasts forever. Her date of death has been interwoven forever with the date of her son’s ordination anniversary as a Priest since every Priest is a Priest forever as our High Priest, Jesus Christ is an Eternal Priest. As the Psalmist says, you are a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

The ways of God are mysterious indeed.

This is telling and it is only a man with an excellent use of the ink of his pen as Jafaru that could put this into writing because it is never easy to write about the death of a loved one, not to talk of a parent of a mother status.

A laughter of accomplishment and a life of pains

It is said that the desire for glory and recognition seems to be ingrained in us because man by nature, is selfish. This is a natural tendency with everyone, with every human being, but not Kupa.

He would rather prefer not to be celebrated like he told me recently, yet he is a man of many accomplishments. However, his story is not a story entirely about triumphs because in one of his recent stories, he wrote ‘my life’s journey almost ended abruptly in 2021 when I was extremely sick for over forty days (40) days. I only survived through the grace and mercy of God, my Lord and maker, who feels that it was not yet time for me to join my ancestors.

Conclusion

In truth, this Chronicle is very inadequate to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Brilliant Mr Kupa, Jafaru Afanuetha, FCA for everything. This is a man that we have done nothing, anything for, yet he has continued to have compassion on us and continued to move with compassion for us and through this, continue to bless us with the kindness of his heart.

So, my own dearest brother and friend, Jafaru, as we celebrate our fifteen (15) years as friends on the social media of Facebook on this day, but years of decades as we share the same age bracket, I can only say thank you, thank you most especially for my mother, whom you ?have taken, in her old age, to be one of your mothers and in this, continue to bring joy into her heart as she continues to count down on her years here on earth.

May the good Lord continue to watch over you to protect you and your family. May His countenance continue to shine upon you and your family. And may His blessings continue to be with you and your family.

Thank you, my brother, the Brilliant Mr Kupa, Jafaru Afanuetha, FCA for everything for us.

Gracias!

Na me

Your brother and friend

Domark Osabomeh

Thursday, March 13, 2025