The month of November 2015 has come and gone with the death of APC Governorship candidate in the November 21 elections and former Kogi state Governor, Abubakar Audu but its memory will continue to linger because of the sour taste it left in our throats.
As if the tragedy was not devastating enough, death came again prowled on the state and snatched another Kogi’s prized son, wife and his child, the news hit us like a tornado that a key component of the APC’s change agenda, ever vibrant, humane and articulate legal icon Barrister James Ocholi is no more.
I initially had an eerie feeling that something was amiss when some social media outlets dispelled the pensive and heartbroken news, but the picture evidence confirming his death from the accident scene left me open-mouthed in petrifying disbelief. My heart sank with a thud. The rest, as they say is history.
Barr James Ocholi(SAN) wore many caps with admirable panache. He gave his best in all the various platforms he served with impressive finesse and effectiveness but death snuffed life out of him, his beloved wife and son at the most unexpected time.
Legally humble, politically accepted and generally obstrusive even if avuncular, i learnt he was always a jolly good fellow to be with in his “judicial” conviviality. His wife was also revealed to be a source of inspiration to many young ladies with her boundless energy, way of life and intellectual acumen.
Barr Ocholi touched the lives of everyone who was associated with him positively. He was an epitome of simplicity and paragon of humility.
He belonged to that rare breed of elites who would defer to and even “Sir” subordinates. It is an irony of life that straight trees don’t last in the forest. The loss of good men like him is a loss to humanity, not just his family and other entities to which he was affliated.
This writer commiserates with the family, especially his children left behind, colleagues at the Federal executive council, associates, kin and compatriots and the entire Kogi collective.
Let me round up with this maxim, “Like toys we are in the hands of fate, the Will will be wrought on its day or date”. The Kogi obituaries are a jolting reminder that tomorrow is not certain and it is therefore imperative we seize the day and do good.
Adieu, James Ocholi; Fatima Ocholi; Joshua Ocholi ! May God give their families, the fortitude to bear the painful losses!
– Balogun Emmanuel Funsho, from University Of Ilorin.
He can be reached on 07034444976 or via irule9ja@gmail.com