UZODIMMA HAS SHOWN UNCOMMON LOVE, HONOUR AND RESPECT TO A DEPARTED FRIEND ISHIMMIRI EVEN IN DEATH
By Nwamkpa Modestus Chinedu (KSM).
It is very rare and uncommon for friends to show true love and honour to their departed friends in a way that they could have done if such friends were to be alive. We have seen friends who abandoned their late friends and family members immediately their friend(s) die. We have even seen situations where a once bobbling friendship nosedived upon the death of a friend to the point that the burial of such a friend is not attended by his or her once blossom but living friend(s). These things happen and we see them everyday.
For some, death is an automatic separator to their relationship, no matter how blosomed. They will wax philosophical and tell you: ‘death do us part’ Once there is death, an elipse eveloped the whole relationship. This is the way of fair weather friends.
However, it takes a genuine friend to be your friend both alive and in death. A true friend is known not really when you are alive and rich but when you are in need and dead. And that is what we have seen in the case of Governor Hope Uzodimma with his departed friend Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzo popularly known as Ishimmiri whose burial just took place last Friday April 12. Indeed, Uzodimma has taught the world that your friend should be your friend whether dead or alive.
The Governor Sen Hope Uzodimma confirmed to everybody that truly the late Ishimmiri was his friend and brother. From the time Ishimmiri was sick, he was there for him. And since Ishimmiri died, he has equally been there for the family. He was involved in the lengthy pre and post burial arrangements. He was there at the Service of Songs. He even attended the outing service today at St Anthony’s Catholic Church Amucha, that concluded the burial processes. Anytime Ishimmiti’s wife and children looked back, they always saw Uzodimma standing behind them in their time of grief.
Ordinarily, some friends could have chosen either to attend the service of song, the burial or the outing service citing busy schedule as a reason and it will still appear normal after all, the man is no longer alive. But for Hope Uzodimma, his friend Ishimmiri should be accorded the full respect, love, recognition and honour he deserves even in death. This is exemplary as it is indicative of the character of the man Hope Uzodimma as somebody who appreciates relationship.
He literally lowed the flag of statecraft and it flew it at half mask for one week because of Ishimmiri. He suspended his busy engagements because of Ishimmiri. He toiled and shuttled between Owerri and Amucha to ensure that every arrangement was effected according to plan for the sake of his friend Ishimmiri. He was there from the begining to the end because of Ishimmiri.
At the Service of Songs, the Governor spoke emotionally as he did at the Outing Church today. He revealed the fond memories and good times he had with Ishimmiri while alive. He disclosed his conversation with Ishimmiri while he was sick and he reiterated his assurance to Ishimmiri arising from Ishimmiti’s demands of him when it did appear to him (Ishimmiri) that he would likely not make it from the sickness. He said that what matters now is not to continue to grief for the late Chief but to ensure that his wife and Children are taken care of and he assured to be there for them under tick and tin.
Ishimmiri, the Governor stated was a nice man who used his wealth to touch the lives of many while alive. Ishimmiri, the Governor also disclosed believed in their relationship and stood behind the Governor in all his political trajectory. Ishimmiri, the Governor maintained was one friend he so much cherished and relished. Ishimmiri’s death, the Governor agreed was a personal loss to him which he said has created a big vacuum in his heart and also a big loss to the entire state.
According to the Governor, Ishimmiri was more than an indigene of Amucha, Njaba LGA or Imo state but indeed, a national and global figure. Governor Uzodimma spoke about his friend as a good friend would speak about his late dependable friend and ally. He demonstrated that time, season and death cannot separate true friends. He has shown that being Governor did not demish his true character of remembering his root and identifying his true friend. What he did to Ishimmiri, he also did to his late friend Chief Godwin Dibia, known as Iyi Umuna
As he respects his dead friends and accord them their deserve honour, he also does for his living good friends. I mean his personal friends not friends of the office. What he did to Ishimmiri is akin to paying premium insurance and signing an indemnity to a departed friend.
May the Souls of Chef Christopher Chukwuemeka Ohuruzor (Okotie/Ishimmiri) continue to rest in peace. Amen
Truthfully Yours, Nwamkpa Modestus is my name and I approve of this piece.
