THE EXIT OF A RARE PROFESSIONAL: A TRIBUTE IN HONOUR OF LATE SUNNY AMONE AJILA

It was about 3.50 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 when the news of the demise of Sunny Amone Ajila alias Pape filtered in. I had Gone to their office to fraternise with the people I have come to cherish as resourceful friends whose company leaves no room boredom. A very lively office where sound political debates; the humility of the elderly and loyalty of the young ones is exceptionally next to none!

While there, one of the deceased's office colleagues, Mr Andrew Subara whispered to me in Ngas dialect, 'gofa ki met', meaning, your man is gone. I asked who? Sunny, he interjected!

The atmosphere was  ceased. The was absolutely silence in the office for some good seconds. A true friend has kicked the bucket, the call of nature, a debt every mortal must pay one day! 

Really, many have passed on (died) but no one gets to learn and master the dribbling tactics of the timing of death: when it will come and how!

I'm yet to come to terms with the reality of Sunny's death; not that he will not quit as he did but the suddenness. It looks so unreal but so real too. His office colleagues have been to the family house twice so there is no living in denial, Sunny is gone!

I was tempted, in my wildest imagination to think Pape hid his agonising exit from me because he knew I will certainly ask Nature why but on a second thought I asked myself, did Sunny even know he will die before he breath his last? And the answer came, Unlikely! 

My random thoughts were not out of place. They just normal traces of the confusing reactions that usually following the breaking news of the death of a friend, relative and/or neighbours.

Sunny was a gifted hand, a secretarial wizard. Those us who have benefitted from his typing and editorial exploits will attest that the deceased' prowess on the computer was a great sight to behold. His typing skills, the art he knows better, lived and died doing was so legendary. When the news of his demise broke, many who came around to ascertain the news at his duty post, bore witness to this reality, repeatedly!

The man has quitely exited, leaving a professional gab that will be hard to fill in a hurry. Pape, who will type our manuscripts, memoirs, stories and edit them nicely and speedy in the you were doing? Who will do the excellent transcribing of news report for journalists as you always do?

Sunny's death could be likened to the burning of a compendium, full of  virtues in humbleness, kindness and peace, but thank God virtues never dies. His demise has forcefully robbed us of his professional touch, but thank God legacies never die!

Pape, you are gone but yet here with us. 'Death is no death, but a means for to live, do not dispair: of no worldly tyrant be thou in dread,

Thy compass, which is God's world, shall thee lead,

And the wind is fair.' This peotry is for you. 

You have have crossed over to the other side of life but your sweet memories are with us, the shall ever remained ever green, in our loving embrace.

May the comforting power of God dwells richly with your family even as I beat you good bye, my great benefactor, Chief Sunny Amone Ajila, Great son of Plateau with Delta roots! 

You were indeed a man with many parts,  and so against the temptation of opening new paragraphs, let me end by saying you were an asset to humanity, and certainly not a liability. Between July 1955 when you arrived this world and July 27, 2021 when you breathed your last, you've paid you dues in the world of work and it is time to rest. Rest on, Rest In Peace!

*(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha,  July 31, 2021; SMS: 08118161263; Email: loisayuba420@gmail.com)*