Akanimo James Essien: Dead but refuses to die

BY MANASSEH UMOETTE 
      
It was Edwin Leibfreed who said “For death is but a passing phase of life,A  change of dress,a disrobing.A birth into the unborn again,A commencing where we ended. A starting where we stopped to rest. A cross road of Eternity, A giving up of something,to possess all things.The end of the unreal,the beginning of the real”. The above is the summary of the story of late Akanimo James Essien. 

Let me start by saying that it is not a good thing to see the death of young men in their prime. Howbeit,the news of the demise of Akanimo James Essien on Saturday, 3rd October 2015 after a brief illness was very traumatic. It was an attempt by death to end  the story of the ever smiling, energetic and visionary  young politician,Late Akanimo  popularly known as AK. 

This was because of who and what he was to very many people. Born on Saturday 27th December 1975 in Abak Ifia in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area,he attended St. Andrews African School Abak Ifia where he got his First School Leaving Certificate. He progressed to Lutheran High School, Ikot Obong Ekong for his secondary education and concluded at Lutheran Senior Science School  Ibakachi. Determined to make it in life, he got admission into Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua where he bagged National Diploma in Maths/Statistics and a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration. 

 

     Politically, “AK 47” as was fondly called by friends and associates was a factor in the political equation of Ikot Ekpene. He was one young politician that every aspirant wanted on his side.  Today he remains one of the longest serving political appointees in Ikot Ekpene LGA having served in three administrations. A two term Supervisor for Youths and Sports and  Special Adviser on Revenue Matters. He also served as Personal Assistant to the immediate past House member, representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency,Rt.Hon.Nsikak Ekong.  

In student activism, late Akanimo Essien was an activist per excellence. I first met him in 2004 while I was contesting for the position of the President, National Association of Ikot Ekpene Students (NAIKES Worldwide). It happened that I won the election as President while late Akanimo Essien emerged as Secretary. Together we struggled for the welfare of our fellow students. Akanimo was a staunch supporter of the Aluta  course. He was never found wanting in the student struggle. 

He proved himself a committed and a team player, hence his later emergence as the President, National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students (NAAKISS) Akwa Poly Chapter. Need I stress that the decesed was a philanthropist of very high standing? Akanimo was ever ready to be part of the solution of people’s problems. He was a giver and believed in the welfare of others. These attributes attracted many people to him. The youth, women and many less privilege people In Ikot Ekpene can attest to this fact. He contributed immensely to the development of his church and his community. A litany of awards and chieftaincy titles stands to his credit.

 However, according to African proverb, the man who has never submitted to anything will soon submit to the burial mat. “AK” “Oku Abasi One” is dead yet he has refused to die. Unlike human organism that die and perish at once, never to be seen and heard again, Akanimo has gone through incarnation, he has sprung a surprise by suddenly staring and smiling at his friends. 

His loving memories has continued to live in the hearts of his friends, love ones and others he had affected their lives.  Thus, he lives on.  Of a truth, it was a bad death which killed a man in time of famine. 

In your own case, you are very much alive even one year after your obituary was announced. You are a hero because to live in the hearts of those we love is not to die. You are a legend, born on Saturday,27th December,1975, died on Saturday 3rd October,2015 and was buried on Saturday 24th October,2015. 

Ally Bros,you can never carry last ,which is why President Muhammadu Buhari declared today 3rd October public holiday to commemorate your one year of call to higher service by the Almighty. Sleep on, Oku Abasi One. Go on with your beautiful self.