Dana Finish Pipul – Tribute To Engr. Anthony Nwaokoagbara
The entire nation was thrown into mourning with confusion and despondency enveloping the land. Frantic efforts were made by people to confirm the reality of the situation as well as the identities of those affected. Like a bolt from the blue, the news of the death of Engr. Anthony Irondi Nwaokoagbara, the former Zonal Operations Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Abujafiltered in.
The suddenness of hispainful departure has created a deep crack in the hearts of many especially his immediate family, the Obehie-Asa communities of Abia State, staff of the DPR and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources where he last worked, the NNPC and the entire Oil & Gas Industry where he straddled and displayedrare virtues of life that stood him out as a star that shone the way for many.
The world works with people of substance but the death of anyone is an irreparable loss to humanity. The nature and character of whatever impact the dead might have left behind is determined by how well he inspired and touched the lives of people while alive. The life and times of Engr. Anthony Irondi Nwaokoagbara was both shining and exemplary in all ramifications.
If humans were described as nations, he would perfectly fit as Japan; a prime example of a modern industrial nation that started from nothing to being a model. From scratch in Obehie-Asa communities in Abia State his birth place, up until 4th August, 1980 when he got employed into the then Petroleum Inspectorate Division of the NNPC (now Department of Petroleum Resources – DPR, in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources) down to 3rd June, 2012 when he departed this sinful world, he demonstrated deep love for his family, built families of friends and associates in his community, places where he had the opportunity to live and work with extraordinary professionalism and sincerity of purpose. As a Chemical Engineer of repute, he fell in a prestigious class of DPR staff who started as Petroleum Inspectors and worked in both the Upstream and Downstream Sectors of the Oil and Gas Industry.
His immense contributions to the formulation of guidelines and standards in the safety and environment sector of Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Industry cannot be overemphasized. He was a rare gem that handled different roles like one cut out for all. He will definitely be missed by the entire Oil & Gas Industry.
Engr. Nwaokoagbara was a mixer with strong passion for the round leather game. He was a founding member of the Under 45 Football Club, Port-Harcourt since 1985 where he was popularly called LIVE CHAIRMAN and Corporate Kickers Football Club, Abuja. On the 27th of May, 2012 he played for The Rest of The World against Chelsea Football Club, Port-Harcourt.
He was a one-man encyclopaedia of knowledge blessed with a special knack for use of traditional parables and idiomatic expressions. Hardly did he make two statements without reaching out to his repertoire of parables that usually rev up any audience into a standing ovation. For him, there was never a dull moment.
Engr. Anthony Nwaokoagbara was my immediate boss who worked with all as co-equals.If integrity could be re-written or spelt differently, his was extraordinary. If every civil servant could copy from his simplicity, dedication to work and the things that uphold the images of Departments/organisations which he passionately displayed, Nigeria would be the best place to live.
He was not only incorruptible but made everyone around him to imbibe it as a way of life. He was an epitome of humility and practical purveyor of the virtues of life. He was to attend an official engagement on the on-going transformation programme in the DPR in Lagos when he died. He served his fatherland with the last drop of his blood. If legacies are made of these, he was a legacy.
Oh death! You stole from us a father who was a favourite to all. I am worried about your selfless contributions to your Obehie-Asa communities which is yet unrivalled. Oh death! Wetin bi ol dis?Wetin go hapun to ol di pipul we maiOga de giv ‘‘scholarship’’ to go difrendifren ‘‘school’’wit im oun salari?Wot ebaut ol di pipul we im de put ‘‘hope’’fodia tumoro? Oh Death!!No bi smol tin yu don du! Yu don fol won hevipila we plenti pipul rest dia bodi put.
Yu kom laik tiffonait an tek awa pila. If wi se mek wi de queshon yu, na im bi se wi de queshonGod. An wi no sopoz queshon am bikos na im bi evritin.
Oh God! Abeg, mek yu du ol fo mai Oga waif; Barrister (Mrs) Rosemary Uchenna Nwaokoagbara anol im children – Ezinne Frances, Nnabuike Anthony, Sochika Christopher and KelechiPhinean ol odas we tek mai oga as dia Papa. Na onli yu go fit du olfo dem!
We lost an icon whose huge absence will be difficult to fill. May his soul rest in the bosom of Lord God whom he served selflessly throughout his life.
May the lives of all those who died in the Dana wahala REST IN PEACE. Adieu!
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