Our first meeting was in 1981when we all arrived for the interview. Converging at Command Secondary School Jos, from the different parts of the world wasn't a surprise, everyone wanted his child/ward in Command, hence the competitiveness. After one week of several grills and drills, we were all sent home, only for our admission letters to arrive a few months later. Thanks to merit, some of us would never have made it through.
Starting the next phase of our lives together with other members of 81-86 set bonded us as a family. Doing the rounds of morning duties, attending assemblies, getting trashed, doing compound works, inspections, attending the classes, sports, truancy, going to the orchard and environs including our olympic stream, serving punishments collectively, doing action, dodging the likes of Otong Ekpo and co etc further cemented our dependence, trust and confidence in each other. Shortly after Command, we will meet at the School of Basic Studies Makurdi, with a warm welcome and integration into ur fold, we continued our comradeerieship. While u threaded the part of groovy and the brains, earning you the name "Daniel O'brains", I chose a rather groovy and groovy side, forgetting the primary assignment until called to order. We would meet in Abuja several years after the NYSC and your place in zone 6 Wuse A Abuja was like a confluence point. Old and new friends anchored together, and we all did our things. Obrien; as your name will metamorphosed to, identified you with your principle of truth and boldness. I conveniently called you Obeeyano,the original trade mark belonging to Kizzi my daughter, she would holla back Obeeyano each time I picked your call and hailed Obrieno and you will ask to speak with her, and all the banters that will follow. I saw in you the typical un relented spirit of a dogged man, courageous enough to hold a view and defending such position on the premise of truth, equity, justice,knowledge, fearlessness and the typical spirit of the Idoma man, self consciousness, confidence and pride. You never chickened out and didn't give up as others might imagine, for I know how much your wife and daughter Danny meant to you. They where your world and they sure rocked you. You revolved around them, as if to say, since I won't be around much longer, let me give em my all. You had your struggles but never came as a burden to any man. You were considerate and understood with all. I remember you defending an old university classmate of yours severally, who made federal cabinet, saying people should understand his pressures, even after he failed on several occassions to keep his words with you. Many will ditch such guys and speak the worst of them. Life was to be taken at a stride to you, and decisions well informed. When many will hold the less scrutinized position, you dared to bare it all, even with it's seeming misunderstandings and controversies. Higher intellect, I always concluded, for reasons of such hard and uncompromising views. Standing beside your sick bed on monday, you offered me a handshake, unable to speak, you looked in my eyes, it was the same warm and assuring feeling I got. You were always telling me, "Goddy I understand, no worry I know say God go do am one day". I fought back tears, held your hand with your siblings we all prayed. Same day I would inform Dr Ismaila Garba, a consultant gynaecologist, an old mate(Commando 86) set and he will come running to your bedside. Reaching out to his colleagues at the hospital, senior and junior and all the staffs, it was a race against time Just like in the words of your dear wife "I will not question God", I also will not question Him. He is the ultimate giver and taker. I pray God rest your soul and comfort your wife, daughter and all your loved ones. Adieu my friend Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria. ------------------------------------ >>----------- Jos Commandos Discussion List -----------------<< >> Visit these Jos Commando websites: ------ << >> To join click: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JosCommandos/ Or send an email to mailto:[email protected] << >> To leave: send an email to: mailto:[email protected] >> << Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JosCommandos/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JosCommandos/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
