By: Amos Etuk
Here lies the reality of life, the mystery of death. A mystery only God can see. A mystery that has taught us that while alive, we must live to bequeath legacies that will put us on the positive side of history.
Our gathering this dawn is to bid our leader, the second State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, the late Comrade (Elder) Nnamnso Umoren farewell.
He was a father to us all, soft spoken in nature, patient, visionary in his strides, an astute administrator, fine gentleman and great Journalist. In fact, I can boldly say that he belonged to a very rare breed of men.
This icon whom we gather to pay our last respects today was a great speech writer, an author, a man who did not just rise through the ranks in the civil service to become a Permanent Secretary and a teacher of speech development to almost all our colleagues seated here today.
But he came from a very disadvantaged position as a typist from his humble career beginning at The Nigerian Chronicle Newspapers in Cross River State to the enviable position he attained.
He was the first journalist in Akwa Ibom State Council to rise to the Office of Permanent Secretary in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service .
He was the first elected Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council. He consolidated on the foundation laid during the Caretaker Executive by ensuring the formation of chapels in the State Council. He also initiated the process of securing a parcel of land for a Press Centre in the earlier designated area along the Banking Layout in Uyo.
He believed in the bold ethics of this noble profession and was a loyal team player in every activity of the union even till last year.
He was to feature prominently at the inaugural evening with The Legends during our 2020 NUJ Press Week along with other selected colleagues. Unfortunately, he left us barely three weeks to the event.
We have lost a father who had a great character. We have lost a father whose wise counsel guided us. We have lost a father whose soft spoken voice made our hearts glow. We have lost a father who coached us to speak flawlessly with our pronunciations. We have lost a father who served God with all his heart. We have lost a father who was always there for us.
For the late Comrade (Elder) Nnamnso Umoren, your demise has left a huge vacuum. Our hearts are heavy but we take comfort in the book of Psalms 30 which states that though weeping may endure for a night, joy shall come in the morning.
Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists bids you farewell, our father and Leader. God be with you.
GOOD NIGHT, OUR LEADER
GOOD NIGHT, OUR FATHER
GOOD NIGHT, GREAT COMRADE
THE ANGELS WELCOME YOU
REST IN PEACE!
Comrade Etuk is the state Chairman of Nigeria Union of Union, Akwa Ibom State Council
Comrade Amos Etuk
