Late Archbishop Akubeze – A life of apprenticeship, success and leadership
In 2012 during his 25th priestly anniversary, I was privileged to write a piece on the apprenticeship of now late Archbishop Akubeze published in the book edited by Rev. Fr. Julius Okojie and titled “Feed my sheep”. After 14 years, I am now adding success and Leadership to the title of that write up.
At the funeral of the revered Rt. Rev. Monsignor Christopher Chukwuma on August 31st, 2010, at Asaba, Archbishop Akubeze (then Bishop of Uromi) had this to say “Death is one of the great mysteries of our existence, how we view it is how we view ourselves. ……. Death is a mystery. It does not come when expected and sometimes comes when not expected. It happens to the young and to the old alike. It does not select whom it visits. The rich die just as the poor die. The mighty die just as the lowly die. It comes so suddenly without notice. By the virtue of being humans, we are invited to partake of it and nobody is exempt. Death to the living could be a burden in the soul and a pain difficult to cope with, whereas to the dead, it is a relief.”
Your Grace, above were your own words about death. Did you mean to call your death a burden to us and then a relief to you? It is what it is!! What you did not tell us is whether there is premonition about death. My conversations with you in the last six months at various occasions indicate aspect of premonition from your part. When I started convincing you to combine your 20th Episcopal anniversary with your 70th birthday, you gave me clear answer “What I want to celebrate is the 20th Episcopal anniversary.” It was celebrated in a grand style. I thereafter raised the issue of your 70th birthday celebration even on a low scale, you turned it down. When I said that we shall surprise you on that day, you said bluntly” I will not be there”. Oh really? Yes, it has happened as you said. Oh, death where is your victory, oh death where is your sting?
I was with you for three consecutive days June15th,16th and 17th when you came to Lagos. During our usual outing in the evening of June 17th, it came up again and you said you will “not be available” for any birthday celebrations “I have done what I wanted to do”. That was the last time I set my eyes on you. When you went back, you called me in the evening of June 19th and we spoke on several issues for about 30 minutes including your planned usual annual trip to Atlanta through the UK. My last words to you were “Extend my greetings to the Okonkwos and my love to Uju”.
Those were my last words for the people you finally surprised on July 9th by your death. Ogbuenyi Eclesia, I am really confused and devastated. Your Grace, I can now really hear you. I have just laid my hands on one book you gave me on April 4th, 2006, at St John the Baptist catholic Church Agbor, titled “There Are No Accidents” In all things Trust in God by Fr. Benedict J, Groeschel, C.F.R. Your death is not an accident, really? Well as I can now hear you- In all things Trust In God. Your motto has always been “let the will of God be done.”
My journey with you started in !987, before your priestly ordination.in October 3rd at St. Paul’s Cathedral Issele-uku. You underwent apprenticeship and tutelage under Bishop Anthony Gbuji and his successor late Bishop Emmanuel Otteh. You spent 17 years as Secretary and Chancelor of Issele-uku Diocese living with the two bishops minus four years (1995-1999) when you went to Rome for your Doctorate studies.
You were posted to a parish for the first time and became a Parish Priest of St John the Baptist Agbor and Vicar General in 2004. You were the “Engine Room” of Issele-uku Diocese for many years. Almost a year later the loss of Issele uku became the gain of Uromi Diocese as you became their first Bishop. Again, after five years the loss of Uromi Diocese became the gain of the Archdiocese of Benin. In all these journeys, I and my family have been with you.
You were the Chief celebrants at the Funerals of my late Mother-in-law, my own mother, and my late wife. In fact, you cancelled your trip to Rome and USA in June 2017 to bury my late wife. A year later you returned to Illah for the one-year memorial anniversary and blessing of her Tombstone. Almost five years ago, you were in Lagos to celebrate my 70th birthday. Too many tears in my eyes!!
Within a year as Archbishop of Benin, you became the Vice President of CBCN 2012-2018 and President of CBCN 2018- 2022.
What a race and what a journey from apprenticeship to success and leadership.!! Thank you for being a friend and making me part of this your race and journey. You were Humble, obedient, respectful, patient, gentle, intelligent, amiable, compassionate, generous and calm.
My family and I will miss you. You have left us as Orphans. May the good Lord rest your soul. Amen. Naba na ndokwa, Dalu sooo.
Your Ogbuenyi Eclesia
Rt Hon. Commander Patrick N Ikemefuna KCSS, KSS, CKSM
