He was a boss too good to know
Jovial, kind and openhearted
Like a motherhen, he gathered and carried us along in the Zonal Office of the MOJ
He chastised us, advised us, challenged us for good and gave us liberty and free access
Our progress was his progress, our comfort his comfort, and our pain, his pain
Though a boss, in him was no pride of a boss
Young and old he treated equal
And with his charismatic leadership, he gatthered all men in the table of unity.
Oh J. Y. Akuh, what a good boss you were
27th May, 2019, brought us together again in the office and your presence as usual made that day very lively
You told us about the need to do good always
In your usual way of moral admonition, you said that a man’s flesh is not edible but his character
You called us by names and repeatedly said, “I said, do good”!
We never knew that would be the last of such encounter.
And then came the evil night: 28th May!
In our innocent sleeps, we never knew the whole world was turning around
A good man had died in a manner most shocking to all
Life indeed, is like the fate of a lit candle in the heartbeat of a whirling wind
Which fades away like vain vapour
Never to be found again in a place where it once flourished!
An intelligent lawyer, a State Counsel with amiable personality
He did his cross-examinations in courts without writing down questions
Because they flowed sequentially from the pots of divine wisdom and knowledge
He had compassion on who deserved compassion and brought to book those whose guiltiness were never in doubt.
He installed kings through his brilliant performance in Chieftaincy matters
He spiced boring court proceedings with meaningful jokes
And conquered the angers of men with humble smiles.
J. Y. Akuh was a man in whom all men were well pleased!
But, death struck, and the motherearth swallowed the People’s “Barrister”!
And as if it was just yesterday, 365 days have passed by now
Yet, we feel the pains of your absence everyday like fresh wounds
But, we find consolation that we shall meet in the new Jerusalem where we shall live to part no more.
Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord
Adieu, special boss, adieu!
– S. O. Akobe is a lawyer, a Social Commentator and Poet.
