Generally speaking, and quoting my humble self, "No man is strong unless he can defeat death. No man is perfect unless he is God!" — Abai Francis

Dear Architect Chief Piniki Azaiye Duwogbegha, ever since your passing on that tragic Wednesday, September 25, 2024, silence had imprisoned my thoughts occasioned by the surprise of your demise. In fact, when I first heard the tragic news on the morning of Thursday, September 26, 2024, like the Biblical priest Zechariah, my tongue lost its strength and my vocal cords became loudly numb; at that moment in time the world ran still and warmly chilled. Instantly, in my heart I prayed it was just a case of a mistaken identity. It was just sunset, too soon.

Who can predict life and who can unravel the mystery it holds? Life is indeed unpredictable, and a mystery yet unraveled. Being human isn't an easy task and being alive is the most difficult part of living—for the burden we bear are more heavier and the temptations we battle daily are more fierce than can be imagined. Above all, in the end we are all fated in death, an occurrence that renders all of our earthly pursuit of happiness in vain. Death, as always, has no mercy, no feelings, no respect, no honour, no fear, no pardon, no consideration, no conscience...

Memories, though limited in scope, have now replaced your physical presence in life. It is now all that I possess about you. Those fond memories date back to my early beginnings of how I had always admired your intellect and craft as an architect. Your later venture into the food industry (notably the Segemenge brand), the hospitality business, the entertainment industry (the Pinaza label), to mention just a few enterprise, brought to the fore a man with a broad vision as a core entrepreneur.

As a social crusader, your exploits among the pioneers of the social pressure group, KOMBOT, in your contributions toward seeking justice for the Gbaramatu and Egbema graduates in the oil and gas sector will forever be remembered. You've always stood firm on matters that will advance your native kingdom as well as for others that suffered similar fate.

If there are words to describe your personality, I would choose words like open hearted, hardworking, focused, practical, compassionate, gentle, kind, sacrificial... Personally, though we seldom spoke, but when we do it was a firework of ideas. This you demonstrated when I first started the PENGlobal brand. The lockdown, occasioned by the Coronavirus in the year 2020 opened up conversations leading to the brand making you one of its Top 10 Brand Ambassadors at the time.

You are a personality who like to keep a low profile especially on your philanthropic deeds. On one occasion when I published an article on the sorry state of the Gbaraun Grammar School, Oporoza, you idly called me and gave a vivid narration of your interventions to improve learning, which, unfortunately, at that time was not appreciated by the beneficiaries. It was only then I became aware of your behind-the-scenes acts among many others.

Life is a journey, and sadly yours has come to an abrupt end with no notice given to your family and friends the opportunity to say 'Goodbye', like the many who had gone before you unexpectedly. I never anticipated it this way and no one else ever did. But yet, here we are, taken unawares at a time in your life when the Sun was just setting. It was not yet evening to go to the bed of eternal rest.

In our sad state we pray for the repose of your soul and that the Almighty God whose ways are not as ours grant you mercy and rest in His Bosom. For us here on the Earth, you always will remain a golden personality who not only loved his people but was a part of the solution they needed. Above all, your legacy lives on.

Rest in Power!

Courtesy:
ABAI T. FRANCIS
CEO/Brand Director, PAL

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