By Moses Darah
LAGOS SEPTEMBER 17TH (URHOBOTODAY)- It was Friday, August 28, 2015 at 8:30pm that I received a distressed call from a colleague. I was at the parlour watching AIT news. From the voice of the caller, I perceived that tragedy has struck again; but I could not tell of which direction. I felt some cold down my legs and started to the room to have a clearer grasp of the caller’s message. The caller began with interrogative remarks: “Have you heard what is happening in Abraka right now?” The voice was resentful; but I tried to distance negative thoughts from my mind. “No, Sir”, I retorted, nursing my heartbeat. I became curious and restless too, so I quested to know. “Elidad and other DELSU staff were involved in an accident just now near Eku”, the caller revealed, and not too sure of the details, the caller directed me to put a call across.
My call got through to another colleague right in the Delta State Eku Baptist Hospital, where the victims were rushed to. His voice was despondent. He managed to explain the sad incidence in tears. His words “Mosco, na so we see am oooo. It was not more than 30 minutes, after Elidad, Ohis and Edward of UBA left us at Abraka when we received the call that they had accident at Salubi near Eku on their way to Warri. Ohis is in a stable condition, Edward’s case is a little bit critical but Elidad has been rolled into the mortuary”.
I went blank immediately! I dropped the call, returned to the parlour in tears. I could not sleep through out that night. My mind was preoccupied with many thoughts, thinking of life and the fate of man on earth.
I had imagined Elidad’s sense of humour, friendly nature and simplicity in life.
Our last encounter was at a birthday get-together for a colleague. He ordered for more items to support the celebration after he had ‘yabbed’ the celebrant of a hide -and-seek birthday party.
Earlier that week, Elidad was instrumental for the approval of new furniture for our offices in preparation for accreditation. He personally supervised the distribution. I was to meet him for the modern rolling chairs later.
My jokes about the Isoko people was always greeted with laughter and the question from him “Mosco, where you for dey bring your stories?”
Elidad had nicknamed me unofficial minister of information through my facebook and whatsapp broadcast messages.
I stayed off a week, possibly to get over the rude shock, but couldn’t even concentrate.
My earlier facebook post on Elidad was withdrawn because of the disbelief of such an unimaginative story. It was never envisaged, very unthinkable and all wished it never happened.
Elidad was a very hardworking man whose happy life has been cut short by evil circumstances.
If one ponders on cases of incessant deaths this year alone, there is every reason for to always make our ways right before the maker.
Very few deaths have shocked me like that of Elidad. One of such was the death of Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido, the most vibrant senator who represented the good people of Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Abuja. Another was my brother inlaw, Mr. Matthew Ogodogu who passed on two months ago after a brief illness.
Though, Elidad is gone, but our solace is on his good name. His dedication to work has endeared him to many.
Live on, Elibongo.
Moses Darah teaches Linguistics at Delta State University, Abraka.