First it was the indefatigable and ever-cheerful T-Mac (Toyin Makanjuola). Then came news of the departure of Emmanuel Ekpenyong. Not quite long after, another Iroko fell and this time, our most beloved GOC, (Ebhohon Ikhuriona). I would not know now whether he left before or after Maurice Achibong because death and the news of it, especially of loved ones, often leaves one with a feeling that one wants to banish fast in order not to erase the fund memories of such departed loved ones.
And so when a week ago the news came that another beloved one has gone, I made desperate effort not to accept it. Nnate Amogu (call him Nath or Nathoque and you are right) was not just a friend. He was a confidant with whom I shared so many secrets and had so many happy moments. He was always in his elements especially in the company of friends; and he had the gift of making new friends at first meetings, I mean very devoted and lasting friendships. An extrovert to the extreme, Nathoque had no secrets and no enemies. He had a deep-seated hatred though for indolence and dishonesty. In the many years we were together in the then Daily Times, he never told me a lie and he held back no secret from me.
When I said just now that he had no enemies, what I mean is that he had no time for making enemies. If anyone hated him at all it must be as a result of his extrovert nature. For example, he would sometimes say things that might offend some peoples’ sensibilities but at such times he never realised he was offending anyone. He never went out of his way to offend anyone and he would apologise, as he did several times in my presence, if he realized he had offended someone. I recall, with deep feeling of nostalgia the several times I visited him in his residence at Ojota some years ago. He always made me feel more important than I really felt. I always met him in company of friends and/or relations. If I met Nath at home alone, then be sure that I won’t be alone with him for long. Either some people would come or he would lead me to them. He would introduce me to them and he would promote me before them sometimes to a point I would feel a little embarrassed. But it was all to make me feel at home; and I was always at home with him.
The question that has been agitating my mind since I heard the news of his death is what I would have done, probably a year ago or even early this year, if I knew Nathoque would die this year. He was in my office at my request in June. I had to call him on phone when I did not hear from him for a long time. Now, that was unusual because no week passed without us exchanging calls. But for many weeks I did not hear from him. So I called him and he told me he had challenges with one of his legs but promised he would come and see me which he did. He showed me the left leg which was slightly swollen. He said the swelling started soon after his return from home after the 2013 Christmas. According to him, he had undergone several tests which diagnosed nothing. He told me someone advised him to pour warm water in a bucket and add some quantity of salt then put the affected leg in the bucket; he did that and the swelling began to subside. I never saw that as a threat unto death. Before we parted ways that day, he promised to visit again the following week. But he never did and I never heard from him again until last month when a lady colleague of ours visited me in the office and told me the swelling had affected his other leg and he could hardly walk. I was alarmed. I called him the next morning and a female voice, I believe his wife’s, answered and told me he was taking his bath.
I called a few minutes later and he answered. I asked to confirm whether what I heard was true. He said the challenge escalated later but that he was getting better now and could now walk around but he was not yet able to go out as usual. I asked for the residential address which he gave me and I promised to visit him the following week. Within that week, another colleague, Cami Ezenwa, visited my office and I told him about Nath and we agreed to visit him together. But in the afternoon of Friday presiding the Saturday of the proposed visit, I got a call from one of his brothers with whom I have also shared friendship through Nath. He asked whether I heard what had happened about Nath and I said yes meaning that I knew he was sick. I was about telling him of our intention to visit him the following day but he gave me the greatest shock of my life. He said Nnate died the same Friday and that his remains were already being conveyed home. I was numb with shock.
Well, what would one say as worthy tribute to a friend with whom one had shared so much together? It is indeed difficult to compose, especially when one was not thinking of death in relation with that friend. The truth is that I never associated Nath with death for a long time to come. He was so lively and he loved life. In the long years we were friends, I never really heard him complain of any serious illness and I am sure he was never really ill at any time. Probably that was why I did not see that swollen leg as serious. My heart really bleeds to think that he has yielded his mortal body to death. It is so devastating.
But I am going to try not to think of him as dead. I wish to carry the image of him as a lively, vibrant and ever-cheerful colleague and friend for as long as I live. So, dearest Nathoque, although you have yielded your mortal body to the earth, your spirit shall remain here with us; cherished by all of us, but especially our closest colleague – Ebere Wabara and Isaac Anumihe – that loved and shared with you. You will remain Nathoque to me, Nnate to Wabs and Zico and Nath to the rest of them who have had contact with you in your lifetime; for I have no doubt that you left very warm impression wherever you went and with whomever you came in contact.
Farewell dear friend.
