It was a moment of grief at the in-patient Department, Ibom specialist Hospital in Itam, on Monday, as the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in Akwa Ibom State visited a critically – affected victim of the recent Reigners Bible Church Collapse.
Lead by the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Dr. Ndueso Ekwere, the body which commiserated the plight of the victim, offered prayers of intercession to God towards the survival of the affected persons
In an enotion-ladden voice, the sister of the victim, Comfort William who hails from Ikot Akpan Abia Ubium, Nsit Ubium local government area, expressed gratitude to the state chapter of CAN for their compassion and concern shown through the visit. She also thanked the body for the financial support given to aide quick recovery of the victim.
Responding, the state secretary of CAN, Bishop Dr. Emmanuel Ebitu, urged the victim’s sibling not to despair as efforts are intensified n ensuring health recovery, even as he stated that the body is not relenting in its responsibility towards the wellbeing of all Christians in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking with the Sensor after the visit, the state CAN disclosed that the visit was necessitated by the dire need to reach out to suffering Christians, particularly those affected by the Reigners Bible Church Collapse, noting that their plight and pain also affects CAN as a body.
His words, “As a leader, my heart really breaks to see the condition in which these victims are going through. It is very pathetic but we do not loose hope in their survival. I strongly believe that God who hears the cry of his children will surely heal them. On our part, we are doing everything we can within our capacity to ensure the wellbeing f all Christians.
“I therefore call on churches and well meaning individuals to join hands in raising funds for the support of all victims. This will really go a long way in facilitating their treatment and general health-care”.
KOMLA DUMOR: GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
By Ofonime Honesty
Exactly three years ago, the world lost one of her finest brains. A sudden cardiac arrest robbed humanity of an inspirational figure. Ghanaian born Komla Afeke Dumor passed away in the city of London, United Kingdom, where he served the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as a presenter. He was aged 41.
As a journalist, he was a breed set apart. As a husband and father, he was caring. As a role model, he convinced many to see beyond limitations. Komla made waves across the globe. His voice was always soothing. His composure on set was first class. His eloquence and unique presentation style was unrivalled. Komla was the Lionel Messi of the airwaves.
He shot into my consciousness on Radio. Waking up to listen to him between 5:00am to 5:45am on weekdays was a routine. On the now rested programme, Network Africa, Komla wowed me with his exceptional talent. He made me love my Transistor Radio dearly.
By listening to him, one could easily label Komla as a true son of Africa. Proverbs were always copious on his lips. A story teller to the core. In his words: “there’s so much more to tell about Africa than the usual stories about war, famine and disease.”
No wonder the BBC always assigned him to cover events of great magnitude. He anchored BBC’s live coverage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, funeral of former South African Leader, Nelson Mandela; funeral of North Korea’s Leader, Kim Jong-Il; release of Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit; wedding of Prince William / Kate Middleton, and several other high profile events. Yes, Komla was always there to thrill the audience with in depth reportage.
He was billed to anchor BBC’s coverage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil before death did its worst.
And when the BBC Directors later deemed it necessary to give him the added responsibility of presenting The World Today, Business Africa, Focus on Africa and BBC World News on television, he did not disappoint. Even when the extra responsibility was affecting him adversely, he trudged on. He refused to betray the loyalty of millions of fans around the world. He was always there for them. He did not see journalism as a means of livelihood but an avenue to serve humanity.
Barely days before his death, Komla, in a facebook message to his bosom friend, barred it all about his health and commitment to his job despite some unfavourable circumstances: “…last year (2013), I experienced a lot of illness: My BP nearly gave me a stroke but I trod on always waking up at 2am and heading to work…exhausted sometimes...aching in my body and soul...mentally and emotionally drained...but I kept going.
“I smiled for the camera…I volunteered for extra shifts...I showed respect to my colleagues...I took a lot of jealousy driven vicious insults and backstabbing from petty people without reply…I kept smiling and pushing on to present better and to engage with my audience and increase my following, long days and frustrating times...even when illness had me collapsing....”
Dear readers, yours sincerely is enveloped by awesome admiration for Komla, a man who sacrificed his wellness for the sake of keeping people abreast of goings-on around the world, a man who redefined journalism practise especially in the continent of Africa, a man who lives on in our collective hearts.
No one, except God, can reward Komla’s contributions to the betterment of the society. Even as we miss him, the best we can do is to immortalize him in our daily deeds. His erstwhile employee, BBC, is fronting an award in his name. Now in its third year, the KOMLA DUMOR AWARD celebrates “his dedication to journalism and rewards rising stars who display exceptional talent, someone who embodies the spirit of Komla.”
What more can I say? Komla came, performed and left when the ovation was loud. He left an indelible track-record in the sands of times. As one of my role models, I will live according to the ideals propagated by him.
At BBC, Komla is held in high esteem because he displayed excellent commitment and professionalism. Folks, what are the attributes you display at work? Do you spend working hours gossiping and bearing malice against a colleague? When you die, how would you be remembered? Irrespective of who we are, one day we shall quit this earth by retiring into a rectangular dark hole called grave. It is our legacies that will outlive us.
Dear readers, give your all wherever you find yourself. Live life as if today is your last. Do good always! This minute, a person may be bubbling with life but the next moment, he or she is dead. Don’t be so preoccupied with the thought of becoming Governor, President or whatever. Yes, work hard but don’t be over-ambitious. We cannot control the breathe of life. Komla presented The World Today and Focus on Africa on BBC on Friday, January 17, 2014 but the next day he was pronounced dead. Such is life! All is vanity!
Komla, you lived a good life. May God’s goodness be yours in eternity, Amen.
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