JOE OKIGBO: The death of a Good man, a Good Brother and my Friend of a Lifetime!

Special to USAfrica The Newspaper, Houston
USAfricaonline.com and NigeriaCentral.com

There are deaths every day, across every community all over the world. Yet, there are deaths which strike very close to home, and very close to your heart and friendships. We take such deaths very personal, even where they have wider community impact or did not occur in our own biological family. Such deaths affect us because the dead have lived some truths worthy of reflection for us.

In this light, William Hazlitt (1778-1830) the British essayist and author of 'The Spirit of the Age' in 1825 rightly asserted that: "Death cancels everything but truth; and strips a man of everything but genius and virtue...." Even with his death, I know that one such truth is that Joe Isioma Okigbo lived a life of virtue and always spoke the truth; especially he spoke his truth with love. The other truth is that Joe lived as one of my best friends and a shining, exemplary role model for those who were younger and older than him. There a thousand and numerous other truths about Joe's genius as a financial specialist and his virtues as a human being which still make his sudden death a very painful and traumatic loss for all of us, the African community and the City of Houston. Joe Okigbo, ezigbo nwa, aptly named Isioma, God knew your heart and life of dignity, peace, progress, worthiness, accomplishments and goodness.

Joe, one of our very best abroad and home, a handsome and truly reliable human being, died on April 15, 2002. He was born on July 2, 1960. He resided in Houston, Texas where he worked as an Assistant City Controller (Audit), as one of the highest ranking Africans in the 4th largest city in the U.S.

Joe Okigbo was principled, and never cut any corners. He was trusted and trusting. Joe's death is the passage of a Good man, the transition of a first-class human being and the finest in what any rational person would pray and wish for in a friend or brother.

For the 10 years that I've known him, I never saw Joe speak any word of anger or malice. He never sought to put anyone down.

Joe and former Dr. Nwogo Agbasi were married in September 2001.

I'm certain and glad Joe that you saw your wife, the daughter of the late F.C.N Agbasi of Nnewi, at her best, as she personified a tower of strength and iron-clad commitment amidst your rapid, painful and utterly unexpected mortal turn to eternity.

Joe served as a contributing editor of USAfrica The Newspaper and The Black Business Journal (where his financial advisory columns appeared). A special report, 'He was no Ordinary Joe' and other tributes will appear in next week's print edition of USAfrica The Newspaper and USAfricaonline.com.

Joe Okigbo, we miss you even more when we see those of our folks who call us, or call each 'brothers' and 'sisters' betray themselves as nothing more than hollow chambers of perfidy and merchants of malice. Where you always saw the good in most of us; some of those same charlatans are still on their psychotic demolition derby, championing character assassinations against persons they may never be, and struggling foolishly at 'destroying' institutions they can never build. It's sad you wonder whether we make progress or are marching in place! But did you have to leave so soon, my Brother and Friend!

Even at that, your life is a source of sincere encouragement. I can, again, almost see that your ebony handsome and almost cherubic permanent smile, saying: "don't worry God will see us through. You're not alone." And, you never fail to say in your proud Igbo language: ... O ga di cha nma, inu go... Jisie ike (it will all be alright... stay strong, do your best and hang in there!)

Lest I forget, he always dressed well.

Joe, your September 8, 2001 wedding card announcing the special event of your Holy Matrimony - at the Temple Hills Baptist Church in Maryland- with your beautiful and faithful wife, then Dr. Miss Nwogo Agbasi is still here.

Why do I recall Nwogo?

I gather she lives and endures only as much as one who truly loved a good man, a very good man would. Yes, she's heart broken. Understandably, so. She remains an almost perfect reminder that true love does not fold in the face of sudden illness and countdown to death in the morning of the ululations of your young and faithful hearts.

As we honor you, we'll remember that among our womenfolk and our men, true love still endures! That's despite all the pain and twists and crises in many of our families. Yes, God is not through with us; not yet!

Your older brother Ben and his wife are running a thousand errands a day to honor you. Like them, I still wonder why you? Why now? Why Joe? If ever I had any doubts about the good dying young.... Joe, why you?

Let me return to a more personal stuff, Joe. I don't know why but ever since you gave me your 2001 wedding card, and even after your wedding came and was celebrated, I kept that card- the one you all tied with a beautiful burgundy-color ribbon. It still sits in front of me; the same place it was before your transition, on top of my glass computer stand; above my treasured Apple Mac G4.

Joe Okigbo, ezigbo nwa; Okigbo, in name and deed, I'll always remember, we'll always remember never to forget you: Good Son, Good Brother and my Friend of a Lifetime. Adieu, ezigbo nwa. Okigbo!
Nwangwu, recipient of the Journalism Excellence award (1997), is Founder and Publisher of USAfricaonline.com (first African-owned U.S.-based professional newspaper to be published on the internet), USAfrica The Newspaper, NigeriaCentral.com and The Black Business Journal. He also serves as an adviser to the Mayor of Houston on international business (Africa) and appears as an analyst on CNN, VOA, NPR, CBS News, NBC and ABC news affiliates.

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