By Joseph Edegbo
Mourners of late Dr. Abel Edegbo, will continue to live with the memory of his worthy legacies of care, love for humanity, unblemished service to the fatherland, putting food on other people’s table and supply of research works that would advance the frontiers of academic discourse forever.
Dr. Abel Edegbo, erstwhile Director, Professional Diploma in Education and National Certificate in Education, Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa was hale and hearty in human assessment, but died shortly after morning devotional prayers on May 18, 2023 at his residence in Ankpa, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria.
The shocking departure of the uncommon lecturer left the family, relations, friends, the college Community, his kith and kin at his native home, Abocho as well as associates, bewildered, heartbroken and sorrowful.
An unrivaled intellectual colossus, Dr. Abel’s demise, according to his colleagues, showed that a portion of the education library in the teaching profession has gone with him and “The vacuum may not be filled.”
A professional teacher and prolific writer, late Dr. Abel Edegbo was until his death, member , World Council for Curriculum and Instruction, WCCI and other professional bodies.
To honour the deceased, a valedictory session was held at the College Hall by the Academic Board of the Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, led by the Provost, Dr. Mohammed Kabiru Ibrahim before his mortal remains were conveyed in a motorcade with a retinue of academic staff, students, friends and other sympathizers to his home town, Abocho for burial.
The Provost, Chairman, Committee of Deans, Representatives of the Academic Staff and College Alumni among others, who paid glowing tributes, extolled the deceased’s exemplary simplicity, humble disposition and uncommon commitment, all of which left indelible marks in the sands of time of the college.
In separate letters of condolence, the Governing Council, College Management, staff and students described late Dr. Edegbo as a very determined promoter of academic ideas, a promising leader and an advocate of truth. A portion of one of the letters noted that ” He worked hard and had always followed the path of honesty. He truly brought the strength of his presence, his compassion and his position to many of the most vital academic and humanitarian issues of our time.
“The College is much devastated, and deeply sorrowful for this great loss”
The deceased’s wife, Celina, who described her late husband as the love of her life, thanked him for giving her unadulterated love that any woman would ever live to remember.
Dr Abel’s guardians, Pa Abdullahi Obaje and Aladi Iye-Abel (Nee Edegbo) who brought him up from childhood, recalled in their tribute that the light from their household is gone.”A mighty iroko has fallen and the forest has become shadeless.This is what your passage, Abel symbolizes in the family. “Our unanswered prayer to God was for you to see our own passage and convey our remains in company of your friends and associates to our respective native homes should the roll be called by the Most High.
“However, the reverse is now the case, thus leaving us bewildered, heartbroken and sorrowful.
Who are we then to question Jehovah” the guardians lamented.
Other glowing tributes were from the Onu Abocho, His Royal Highness, Ayidu Jonah Okai, the Alumni association of the College, which always referred to the deceased as an icon and “Grandfather”,
Further tributes poured in from the Association of Dekina LG Indigenes in the College, as well as the Awuna descendants, comprising grand and great grand children to whom the deceased served as one of the patrons.
Relations, friends and associates were also not left out in sending soothing words of consolation. These included Pa Ogu Agbenyo, Gen. and Mrs. Iyodo, the Omoya family, Pastor and Dr. (Mrs) Sunday Benjamin Haruna, Pastor Reuben O. Musa, Mr.Okpetu Sunday Odekina, Mr.Solomon Aku, Dr. Linus Akor, Prof. Dick Odiba, Capt Sunny Arome, Mr. Arome Adegbe U.S.A, Pa Abraham Abutu, Hon. Ademu Obaje Idris, Akus Yakub, Otene Simon Abubakar, Elder Sunday Salifu, Alhaji Suleiman Achemu, Mrs. Sarah Opaluwa, Mrs. Jumai Idegu and others, too numerous to mention.
We are particularly indebted to Hon.Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, Chief Judge of the FCT, for his uncommon charitable disposition during our bereavement.May God reward you, Amen.
The Managing Editor of this Online Platform, AFRICA PRIME NEWS, Mr. Joseph Edegbo, on behalf of the family, appreciate you all, for being around us during this period of mourning. Though it is painful, but we are comforted because we know that One day, we shall meet Dr. Abel again at the feet of the Almighty as he continues to rest in His bosom.
Your prayers, words of consolation, moral and financial support are well acknowledged and appreciated.
News Editor