By BERNARD BALOGUN

Writing this dirge about Prof Nuhu Omeiza Yaquab is indeed a challenge for me. Till now it is difficult to gather myself to believe that Prof, popularly known in the academia as a Marxist Professor, had returned to his Creator. By the way, his middle name OMEIZA means in Ebira ? one who does good. And Prof did good during his earthly sojourn.

I am in such a horrific dilemma, in a state of quandary, if l may say so. I wish someone will call to say it is a hoax Ben.

Where do l start?

He was a gentleman, so unassumingly quiet. In spite his academic height, one time VC of UniAbuja and at another VC Sokoto State University. He had no social class differential in his lexicon. He was truly a man who treated everyone according to his or her social status, irrespective of tribe or religion. He never devalued any person. Always willing to give a helping hand and he did so gleefully. He was a true Marxist exemplified. He cannot be described as an ostentatious dresser. No. He was a moderate dresser in his well starched & ironed kaftan with a befitting cap. He talked with a measure of confidence, often peeping out of his medicated glasses to be sure, he was communicating and that you grasped his message. In fact, he exemplified his teaching skill in his communication.

Our paths crossed when l worked with Trim Communications Ltd, owned and ran by that Communication icon and professor of Broadcasting, the legendary Professor Aaze Tom Adaba (known for short in the media as Tom Adaba). Prof Yaquab was one of Prof Tom Adaba?s students at Advanced Teachers College, in Kano many years back.

As VC of UniAbuja he would come over to our office, always with a standard question playing around his lip ? is teacher in ? meaning is Prof Tom Adaba in the office? It is important l add this. As VC of the University of Abuja from 2004-2009, his tenure was marked with remarkable developments. One significant achievement was that his tenure witnessed the relocation of the university to its permanent site, a development many had thought was impossible at the time.

When his tenure ended in 2009, it took a while before he assumed office as VC Sokoto State University in Sokoto.

It was after his tenure in Sokoto, State University that we became close. He called me simply Ben. I in turned addressed or called him as Prof or enebeni (meaning in Ebira language elder brother).

Call him once on phone, he will call you three times in return with an explanation why he could not pick when you called. Of course, l always had a standard reply ? Prof, you owe me no explanation.

?Prof l would want you to lead me to see?, l would request. ?Ok, Ben. Go and wait for me there @ 12noon?.

On one of such outing was to go and see one of the top brass in one of the Ministries in Mabushi. When l called him, to make this appointment, he was in faraway Canada. He assured me he was scheduled to arrive Abuja that weekend. He will rest on Sunday and on Monday will be fine. His flight ticket was routed via London, so he planned to briefly spend sometime with his daughter. The long and short of it, he ended spending more time than he had bargained in London, due to Airline ?wahala?. When l called on Sunday evening, his phone was switched off. I took it that he had arrived and needed time to rest. I never thought he would be air-borne. On Monday morning Prof was first to call to suggest that the appointment in Mabushi be shifted to next day, meaning Tuesday. He narrated his unpleasant experience at Heathrow airport, though his flight from Canada to London was smooth but in London?no the experience was something else.

The next day he told me he had a crowded schedule, yet he made it to Mabushi. His presence at the brief meeting was impactful and rewarding. As we descended the staircase, l told him my car was gone for servicing. Sharply he retorted?where else do you want to go? No other place, l replied. ?Then let me drop you at home?? He meant he would drop me in Kubwa, then return to town. For me that was too huge a favour. I suggested, he should drop me at the Wuse market where l could easily pick a commercial vehicle to Kubwa. Just as we entered the car, his driver reminded him, they needed to go to the laundry to pick his clothes at the Hilton. That perfectly aligned with my suggestion in terms of route convenience. Consequently, he dropped me at the park in Wuse and doled out clean N1,000 notes enough to take me to Kaduna & back, yet l was just going to Kubwa, a suburb l usually addressed as ?trans-near?.

Often he will call, via WhatsApp, after his usual Muslim prayer that usually take place around 8PM and we would talk for two or more hours. I drew and profited from his fountain of knowledge in no small measure.

Please, do not consider this as blasphemous ? l believe GOD cheated us with the sudden death of Professor Nuhu Omeiza Yaquab.

At 4.00pm on Saturday, as his body remained still at the National Mosque for the final prayers, l was busy ?stupidly? sending messages to his WhatsApp oblivious of the calamity that befallen us, especially in Ebiraland, Kogi State and Nigeria at large. The Ebira nation has lost one of its best brains. Prof Nuhu Yaquab was a colossus in the academic environment, a global one at that.

With a subdued heart, l send my commiseration to his family and to all who are connected to him, one way or the other, especially the paramount ruler of Ebiraland, our pragmatic Governor Usman Ododo. May God console and strengthen each one of us.

To my enebeni, if you can hear me from the celestial realm. Prof Nuhu Omeiza Yaquab may Allah, whom you served so dedicatedly forgive and overlook your shortcomings and provide you a place in Aljanatul Firdaus (the best place in Paradise). Ameen.

It Is therefore with heavy heart, l say adieu Prof Nuhu Omeiza, Ozi Yaquab oboro-oboro.

?Bernard Balogun is Managing Partner, Temoy Associates Ltd, Abuja.

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