A little too soon: Tribute to late CCC Osakwe

BY SADIQ TIJJANI INUWA

I always feel sad whenever a scholar passes on. I have high regard for intellectuals and people with special gifts. What more of a man who happened to be my lecturer and Head of department! The death of the erudite Scholar, Prof. CCC Osakwe come rather too soon but who am I to question the will of God! The academia has lost one of its finest–a thoroughbred Military Historian and an embodiment of knowledge and Intellect.

On the 10th of December, we met at JH Garba Hall, NDA Postgraduate School, Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna for the launching of a book in honour of Professor Enoch Echim Tangban who is due to retire in January. After the programme, I went to greet him. He shooked my hands, smiling and said, “Ah Mr. Politician, how are you doing?”. After a brief talk and the usual banter, he patted me on the back and ask me to go and take my refreshment. I went with the intention of coming back to have a personal photograph with him. Unknown to me, that was the last time we are seeing each other. When I come back he has already left the Hall, probably to the reception where dignitaries were hosted for lunch.  A day after the program I saw a post on the Facebook wall of Hajiya Maryam Tanko after she successfully defended her PhD thesis in the department. Being him as the HOD, Osakwe was there, standing by her side in the photo. I said to myself,” this man won’t get tired ni?”. Little did I know that the man is closer to his grave. Isn’t it amazing that no one knows which day is going to be his last?

I left for my village a week after the program. On Saturday evening, I immersed myself in viewing WhatsApp statuses of my contacts that I come across a status of a friend of mine who some few months ago defended his MA thesis at KASU, posted a portrait of the late Prof. I thought he posted it to celebrate the man who happened to be his external examiner, perhaps, something good might have happened. My mood quickly changed when I saw the caption “Adieu Prof” with a crying emoji attached to it. My heart began to beat fast. I was saying oh God let it not be true. Let it be a rumour, please. I hurriedly dialled his number.  The first thing he said was ” Sadiq, ya haƙurinmu na Prof?”– Sadiq, sorry for the loss of Prof. “So it’s true Prof Osakwe is dead? ” I said.  “Just take heart Sadiq, he is no more. I got the news from KASU. Don’t tell me you didn’t know. The story was going around since morning”. He replied. I don’t want agree. “There must be some mistake. If indeed he’s dead, the department would’ve notified us by now. I was online throughout the day”. I uttered.   He advised me to enquire further. Perhaps, I may be more convinced but it’s true he’s gone.

To be more certain, I dialed the number of my colleague, Liman. Being him my course senior and staff of the department, he must have gotten the news if indeed the rumour is true. Liman was reluctant to confirm the news because it’s still a rumour. He wanted to know where I got the news. I told him from my friend at KASU. He said “for now I can’t say the rumour going around is true or not. I tried to confirm it too but all the people I contacted are reluctant to say a word. Let’s wait till tomorrow. Everything will be clear”. So we ended the conversation. My heart still pounding so hard. I don’t want to believe it’s true but I know death can come anytime.  I was literally crying, reminiscing the little time we had with the giant scholar.

Here is a man who lived the life of a true scholar. All his life revolves around teaching, mentoring and touring one institution to another in the name of scholarship. He’s a true definition of a scholar. His giant figure was never a hindrance to his movement and walks with remarkable agility. That adorable smile he always wore conceals the enormous burden of responsibilities he’s carrying. The late scholar has a good sense of humour. With that his American accent and a husky voice, the gentleman is a delight to listen to. He’s always jovial and has a good sense of humour. Well articulated and meticulous in everything he does.

When I presented my seminar work on the writings of Alexander de Seversky. The class was overawed. The rapturous applause confirms that. The Prof remarked that “you made a good presentation. The way you skillfully dodged some of the issues raised with regard to the structure of your paper made me think you are a politician.” The class burst into heavy laughter.

After the class, me and Liman accosted the Prof to the car park where his driver is waiting for him. Typical of him, he was cracking jokes all through. He wanted to know my political party. He said I must be an APC man. I said I belong to Accord which is the party for the youths and patriotic people. He said he subscribes to PRP, the only party with Ideology. “But your party is dead and you have no money”. I retorted. “The Aminu Kanos can die; the Achebes, the Balarabe Musa, the Rimis can all die but the ideology remains. That’s the big difference” He answered, laughing.  I told him Attahiru Jega has also joined the PRP and is vying for the office of president come 2023. “That means Jega is also progressive!” He answered. We all laugh. We bade him farewell not knowing it was the last time we will be having time to discuss much with him.

The late Professor is not only jovial and humorous but also kind. There was a time we were having a class with him. He sent me to buy two bottles of chilled Pepsi for him. After returning with the change, he queried why I didn’t buy one for myself. I told him he didn’t asked me to. He said I should go back and buy one for myself and also take the remaining change. That’s how generous the man is.

The late Prof is very critical to his students especially with regard to seminar presentation. After he subjected me to rigorous critique, I looked dejected. He smiled and said, we are training you to be the next generation of scholars. The idea is not for you to just come here, pass your exams and get the certificate. We are grooming you to be a scholar. After he left, we sat down in the class with my colleagues to discuss about him. We all agree that what he’s doing is for our own good.  I came to adore him and have the feeling that I will one day be a scholar like him. Just when we started drinking from the ocean of his wisdom and knowledge, then came the unexpected. We took solace in the fact that death is inevitable. What matters is how you lived your life. To this, I can say the late Historian lived a purposeful life.

We lost a mentor, a teacher and a role model. NDA has lost a hardworking scholar. Historical Society of Nigeria has lost a committed member. The academia has lost one of its finest. Nigeria has lost a patriot and a progressive son who loved Nigeria even above his health. He died when Nigeria needed his services the most.

Condolences to the family and friends of the late scholar, the department of History and War Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy and Nigeria as a whole. May we have the fortitude to bear the loss.

Adieu Prof.

Goodnight Gentleman.

Sadiq Tijjani Inuwa is an MA Military History Student, Department of History and War Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He writes from Bakori, Katsina state. He can be reached via: [email protected]