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TRIBUTE TO A VISIONARY FRIEND

By Erike Uzoma.

Thinking about you and all the times we’ve had together, you seem so alive to me that I feel awkward writing this tribute to you. I remember the first time I saw you when you approached me in our  year one at the university so we could know each other, your personality was so charming that I enjoyed being around you. Your positive mindset influenced me and made it easy for me to absorb the pressure of the tedious nature of our first and subsequent years in the university.
I remember the first time I celebrated your birthday with you - it was your 19th birthday at the hostel. You really made school hostel enjoyable for me and I don’t think I would have stayed up to 5 years in Unizik hostel without you.
Anytime we walked together to market, lectures or anywhere you either stopped to greet someone or someone stopped to greet you, I remember one of those days when we walked and I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer so I jokingly asked you how come you know so many people and that your ease of socializing with people intimidates me, you encouraged me not to be intimidated that I should always be good to everyone and the most important thing is that I should always be myself because everyone has different strength of socializing. That helped me a lot.


I still wonder what the story of our final year project would have become if not for your belief that it was possible to achieve, despite our project being the first of its kind in any University in the world talk more of in Nigeria, I really thank you for your massive input and influence through those weary final year project days. You taught me never to give up even when hope and enthusiasm is lost.
I remember in April 2016 when the result of our NYSC posting was out and I told you that I was posted to Katsina, you told me not to worry that you even had a friend who served in Sokoto and that the person enjoyed the service. That lightened me up and I believed that I would also enjoy my youth service in Katsina which I did. I have so much to say about you, all the times we’ve had together were never dull moments, they were always inspiring, positive and fruitful.
You were a good friend, you were like a counselor, a brother, and sometimes like a father to me. Though you are no longer on earth, your mind still speaks. Remain in the bosom of our lord till we meet again.
 Good bye Dika09 

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