By GODDY UWAZURIKE

I met the man, Barrister Oscar Onwudiwe, in the early 90s. But his reputation preceded him. To many of us, he was and still is an enigma. I was enthralled by his communication skills, the dept of his knowledge and his readiness to engage in a debate anywhere and anytime.

I was therefore thoroughly shocked when news of his encounter with assassins reached us. Yes, they were at his Talabi Crescent, Ikeja residence to assassinate him for interfering in their armed robbery of his neighbour.

Oscar had called the Area F Police Station that his neighbor was under attack by armed robbers and therefore needed Police help. Oscar confidently gave his name and phone number to the Police as an assurance of his identity. A few days later, the armed robbers came for Oscar and accused him of “doing lawyer work when the victim did not engage him.” The robbers even brought the neighbor of Oscar to affirm that he did not engage him to phone the Police that night. The robbers made it clear that they were there to kill him. One of them put a gun in the mouth of Oscar and pulled the trigger. But Oscar shifted his head and so the bullet exited through the side of his head, instead of the back. The friends of Oscar and his wife rallied round to save his life. And they did, to the glory of God. We, the members of Aka Ikenga led from the front. Oscar lost one eye and his face had to undergo plastic surgery abroad.

The great man, Oscar, returned to Nigeria, with his sharp brain and wit still intact.

Many of us saw him as Oyiri onwu (the one who defied death).

Aku Udo is the traditional title of Oscar but virtually all his friends had pet names for him. He was highly mobile, ready to offer assistance to the needy and so on. Oscar was very sociable and those who met him subsequently did not believe he had passed through this horrible experience. Oscar, the brain, told a group of his friends in the late 80s at Bode Thomas, Surulere, where he was having his birthday party that an association “Aka Ikenga” should be formed as our contribution to the Igbo cause. Those present bought into it, and pronto, Aka Ikenga came into being. This is why Aka Ikenga and Oscar Onwudiwe shared this same birthday.

Years later, at one of our meetings, Oscar, the brain, suggested that Aka Ikenga should set up Nnoko Igbo, now known as Ndigbo Lagos. To make sure that Ndigbo Lagos became a reality, he assumed office as the secretary.

Barrister Oscar Onwudiwe was a man of courage and perseverance. He made available his vast knowledge to all and sundry, especially, Aka Ikenga whose President he later became. He did not hold back his ability whenever it was called. He was larger than life.

I was, therefore, skeptical when Omenife, Chief Bar Guy Ikokwu, called me to relay the horrible news of the death of Oscar. I waited and waited for counter information. Alas, Aku Udo, the brain, the professor did not wake up. The great man was gone, to be heard from no more. The voice is silenced forever.

Fare thee well, orator and deep thinker. Heaven has gained what the world has lost.

Chief Bar Goddy Uwazurike (Ide), Aka Ikenga President Emeritus, writes from VI, Lagos.

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