It is really an understatement for me to say I was shocked by the news of your sudden departure to the great beyond. On Saturday 27th May 2023 you visited me in my house at Maitama – Abuja where both of us had lunch and you enjoyed your favorite – the Salad Master Salad. We then had a very lengthy heart to heart discussion, the details of which are still floating in my mind. On Sunday night 28th of May 2023 we spoke on telephone and we had a very lively chat. You told me you were lying down on your bed. Therefore the news of your departure arriving on the 29th of May was most unbelievable and indeed beyond a shock to me.
The Ezomo of the World!
The news of your passing is reverberating across the country and the world. Grief stricken family members, friends, associates, allies and well wishers are all pouring condolence messages through various media and all expressing the highest regards they have for you and indeed profoundly sympathizing your sudden departure. I am immensely sad too but to God be the glory as I join this great mourning crowd to express my pain at your passing to the great beyond.
In the 80s, I recall that you lived one street away from me in Victoria Island Lagos. Your house was easily identified by that huge structure of a massive Television Dish, the signature of your breakthrough into Radio and Television broadcasting. Indeed I obtained a Television Broadcast license with you on the same day but as I moved on to serve as Foreign Affairs Minister and abandoned the project which you made your a super reality.
You are the gifted trail blazer who pioneered the first ever indigenous shipping line in Africa in 1980. You founded the first FM station in the country – Ray Power, and then Africa’s first Satellite Television Station – AIT. Without a doubt, you became the Media Mogul in Africa.
Through Ray Power and AIT you have perfectly advanced the best interest of our country, Africa and humanity. Thank you for my personal programs that you have covered so admirably.
I do speak for a large variety of groups and a good number of colleagues in expressing deep appreciation to you for your immense contribution to our Nation’s Politics and in particular the PDP. You are indeed departing with your head held up very high as a most courageous defender of Truth, Freedom and Democracy. You are a most reliable, trusted ally whose calibre, there are not many to be found around today. I can confirm that for anything you are committed to, you will pursue with utmost zeal, superlative trust, confidence and effort.
How I do cherish those your regular midnight visits to me during which we passionately share information and examined in detail the future of our country and state. This I will sorely miss as there can be no replacement.
You will remain that perfect example of a true Nigerian that had successfully broken the disturbing tribal and religious boundaries, found close friends and built alliances that cut across the whole country.
My brother, you had just turned 70 and entered the realms of senior citizen of our country, into an era that your deep and qualitative thoughts and experience would have been immensely useful to our Nation. To lose you at this critical time is immensely regrettable.
The Ezomo,
Your memory will be immensely treasured by your family and multitude of friends, by the rural people of Wepa Wano – Agenebode, by all of us from Edo State, South South Nigeria particularly and indeed the whole of the Nigerian Nation.
Please travel safely as you go to meet our creator.
Adieu My dear Friend, Rest In Perfect Peace.
High Chief Tom Ikimi CON