Ada Owerri goes home
Back in UNN; the morning cold was mild. The type you wouldn't mind taking a cold shower. It was a Saturday morning. Under the famous tree in the quandrangle, i saw some finalists that gathered together talking in whispers, with their faces as gloomy as the word "gloom".
Naturally, i felt that UNN stress was biting into their system. However, i saw the familiar face of my colleague and friend, with her head tweaking like a cricket, i knew then something was up.
Further enquiry, i was told the we have lost a colleague. I was blocked to my marrows. It was our turn to accept the wicked courtsey call of death, everyone's enemy.
The next news turned me into a statue. It was a Lioness, a friendly, sweet, activist, gentle-voiced lioness in the body of a damsel. It was Chinelo Nwosu.
I was teleported to another realm of existence. But if the earlier news was a shocker, the next news equalled to a torpedo. She was poisoned, alongside with other members of her immediate family.
Hmmm!!! Tears made a beeline on my face. How will i begin to cry? Who will console the other? Which name will be written on the space of "left to mourn her" on her obituary poster?
Till last three days ago, i had denied the reality of her death. I was waiting anxiously for the day i will be told she resurrected like Dorcas and Jesus Christ in the bible. So beautiful Nelo, you are dead!!!
Most times in life, we are not always aware that peoples' floodlight are always on us. Everyone, through your character, either attracts or repels against you. Our true character always manifest in little but memorable ways. Therefore, if one says that Chinelo was humility personified, the person is just understating her character
The first time i took notice of this late damsel was the day the only classroom that my department could boast of was littered with hoards of dirt.
Chinelo entered the class, fetched a broom, on her glittering outfit, she began to shame everyone in the class at that moment by sweeping it.
I wish she knew that i stamped her face in my memory from that day onwards. Each encounter with her left me in growing admiration. Yes!! She was in possession of qualities that were my prayer requests then.
I also believe that her beautiful qualities were not latent, no wonder her state "kporakpor" (student association) wasted no time in adorning her with the title ADA OWERRI.
Nne, laa n'udo. Your gentility garnered fan base for you. Even in death, you were a celebrity.
Rest in Peace, Chinelo Nwosu.
Below is her picture....
Chinelo was all you wrote and more, she had a distinct personality. Chinelo was a smart student who asked and answered questions in class no matter who the lecture was! Chinelo was a girl with a beautiful nature that even when others were complaining of being broke Chinelo would still host her class mates in okeke hall with delicious dishes that embarrasses frenzy, coke villa and Sub. Chinelo was a sport lover who was always seen in the stadium every saturday morning, She even represented the final year class in the last inter class football competition, a defender that was admired by all! Chinelo was an active catholic student, she was even a lay reader who when she was reading the officiating priest listens and the congregation marvels at the captivating voice, trust me you could hear a pin drop when Chinelo reads in st peters! Chinelo even in class beefs was friendly to all, She was always seen with a smiling face even at "N" seminar, you all know who the N is. Chinelo our class misses you, sociology department misses you, UNN misses you, the world at large does same because they have lost an activist. Laa nke oma Chinelo ruo mbochi anyi ga afu na iru Chukwu!
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