A FAREWELL TO DR. NWAFEJOKU OKOLIE UWADIBIE, THE “IMPECCABLE  MARSHALL”

  

                                                   By  J. Ifeanyi  Iyegbu   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here at this final hour, in this quiet place, we have come to bid farewell to one of our brightest hopes, extinguished now and gone from us forever.

It is quite natural for those of us left behind to lament the loss of a departed loved one.

But in the case of Prof. Nwafejoku Okolie Uwadibie, the sadness is eased by a large measure of gratitude, and even joy because death is a tragedy only if one’s life had been misspent in selfishness or if one died so young as to be unable to fulfill life’s promises.

 

The greatest praise one can pay Uwadibie is to say that, in the highest sense, he was a true Nigerian, a great patriot, and a trusted friend.

 

My friendship with Uwadibie goes back to our teenage years in the nineteen sixties when we were students at the Pilgrim Baptist Grammar School, here in Issele-Uku. He took the name (a.k.a.) “Impeccable Marshall” and all his friends and well-wishers called him by that name. His leadership qualities soon became apparent in 1968, as he was selected the Senior Prefect of P.B.G.S. Issele-uku, among the class of twenty nine peers. He was born to lead, and he led by example.        

He represented the school in the local and regional athletic meets, and went on to represent the Mid West and Nigeria in other National and international athletic games. He then went on to work as a coach for the Nigeria Sports Council in Lagos after leaving secondary school in 1969.

 

Uwadibie came to the United States in the spring of 1977 with an athletic scholarship and began his academic career at the New Mexico Community college, Hobbs, N.M. From there he transferred to the University of Colorado in Denver where he received his Bachelor Degree in Economics in 1980. He went on to receive the Master and Ph.D in economics and public administration in 1995.

 

He published two books: Decentralization and Economic Development in Nigeria (2000) and Nigeria in the 21st Century (2005)

Uwadibie began his teaching career at Aurora Community College in Denver, Colorado and went on in subsequent years to teach at Lane Community College, University of Phoenix, and University of Colorado in Denver and finally became Dean of Academic Affairs, Palm Beach Community College in Boca Raton, Florida: a position he held until he suddenly passed away on July 2nd, 2005.

 

Uwadibie’s interest and involvement in community affairs was unprecedented.  He spent all his life uniting people, restoring hope, settling disputes, lending a hand, improving lives, and bringing joy to the people he met. His great interest in the welfare of his community and country reflected his passion for leadership in the numerous organizations and associations he belonged. And for the record, he was the first president of the Denver chapter of Issele-uku Association. He was the first National President of the Issele Association of North America, and the current president of the Anioma Association of Florida, USA, Inc. His love for people and the ease with which he made friends and built bridges knew no bounds.

 

When Uwadibie walked into a party, a new life is injected into the gathering and friends become invigorated.  Faces light up with smiles and fun conversations take over. Friends couldn’t seem to get enough of his charming and captivating persona. Uwadibie made people smile, and made people feel at home and among friends. He was a great joker, and a humorist. People remembered his warmth and friendship long after they met him.

 

Uwadibie bu onye Issei to the core. Uwadibie loved life completely and he lived it to the fullest. He loved the people, the culture and the traditions. He spoke the language and the idioms with outstanding clarity. He believed in his people, but was open and welcoming to other cultures.

 

He was fearlessly outspoken, but humble in his approach and very respectful to all. He saw injustice and was not afraid to speak up against it; he saw suffering and was not hesitant to lend a hand. His academic position did not override his commitment to his friends but he never failed to glorify his achievements, fondly referring to himself as “Professor Uwadibie”

 

He was a great family man. He was married and had two promising sons, Ashiedu and Osemeke who are not here today with us to honor their father.  He was an avid believer in education. He was instrumental to the building and completion of the Issele-Uku public library. He gave scholarships to relatives and other needy individuals alike to pursue their academic goals. Uwadibie was always ready and willing to share what he had.  In the numerous visits he made to Houston over the years, my children came to know him as “Uncle Uwadibie” because of the way he played, joked and laughed with them.

 

In what now appears to be a twist of fate, Uwadibie assembled friends from all parts of the United States and beyond on that fateful July 2nd 2005 in Florida, and in the mist of a happy occasion, he bid the world a farewell. That’s Uwadibie as we knew him; a happy, easy going, life loving gentleman who would never have liked it any other way.

 

A piece of each of us died with him. Yet, in death he gave of himself to us. He gave us a good heart from which the laughter came. He gave us a profound wit, from which a great leadership came. He gave us kindness and strength fused into a human courage to seek peace and common good. Such were the qualities of  Nwafejoku Okolie Uwadibie, and so I dare say, that he died a noble death.

 

 

This, therefore, is not a time to morn or grief. In fact if Uwadibie saw any one in tears right now, he would say, and I quote:

 

                                    Don’t grief for me, now I’m free

                                     I am following a path God chose for me

I took His hand when I heard Him call

Turned my back and left it all

 

 

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work or play

Tasks left undone must stay that way

I have found that peace at the end of the day

 

 

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it up with remembered joy,

A friendship shared, a thought, a kiss,

O’ yes, these precious things, I too, shall miss

 

Be not burdened with time of sorrow

I wish for you, the sunshine of tomorrow

My life had been full; I’ve been blessed from above

With great family, good friends, and loved ones

 

 

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief

But don’t lengthen it now with undue grief

 

 

Lighten up your hearts and be happy for me

God heard my plea and “He set me free”

 

 

 

I say in conclusion, the greatest tribute that we can pay to Nwafejoku Uwadibie this day is to continue the work he so nobly started but could not finish because his life was cut off so soon. For this bright shinning star, his memory will remain evergreen in our hearts.  And so, Bro, it’s been a great time we all had and shared, and we will miss you. We bid you farewell and goodbye.

 

 

 

August 5, 2005