Remembering Mr. Akpofure Ibru.

We were classmates at the Faculty of Law, Edo State University, Ekpoma. And his room was next to mine in Hall C when we were in 100L. And like most students, he had his camping gas ready, going to the local markets to buy foodstuffs, and cooking his meal in front of his Dom. And sometimes, jointly with his roommates, Cy Ayemere and Eugene Ganiga.

If someone didn't tell you that he is the son of Mr. Goodie Ibru, one of the Great Ibru Dynasty, I'm sure you wouldn't know. Initially, we weren't close. What brought us together was my fondness for the Guardian newspaper. And that's understandable. One of his uncles, Mr. Alex Ibru, was the publisher of the Guardian newspaper.

You hardly see him in the usual spirited law students' banter. He wasn't the type. Gradually he started gravitating toward me and engaging me in some serious conversations. Those days, reading or buying the Guardian newspaper regularly, especially as a young guy, sort of cast you as a rare gem in the opinion of those who are familiar with the Guardian brand. So, he was quite comfortable telling me uncommon stories, knowing my antecedents.

For instance, it was from him I heard for the first time the name, Steve Jobs, and the Apple Computer. He told me a story about how this gentleman, Mr. Jobs, started a company, but was subsequently forced out of the same company he incorporated. And I asked, by whom and how? He said, members of the board of directors, they can vote to remove you from office, even as the CEO. We were in 100L, and topics relating to the board of directors is a 400L Company Law class, yet this dude was dissecting it as an elementary school topic.

He would talk about leverage buyouts and hostile takeovers. Stuff I've never heard of before. And because I've never seen him so comfortable engaging other students in similar business topics, I took his engagement with me as a compliment and a badge of honour. I did treasure it.

Even though I was addicted to reading the Guardian newspaper, which brought us together as I alluded to earlier, he was comfortably ahead of me in the nitty-gritty of international business transactions. Indeed, I was astute in current affairs and global political leadership, but not at the same level he was on Silicon Valley-related development. The respect we had for each other was mutual.

About a month ago, I sent him a note, along with a few other gentlemen here on Facebook about my Senatorial race and to seek his support and donation. And to read a while ago that he had gone to be with the Lord, was more than a rude shock. I fell into a state of unbelief and denial. It was similar to the feeling I had when I heard about the death of Thomas Sankara, JFK Jr, Tupac, Anthony Bello, Barr Chris Enosegbe, Yohana Madaki, Michael Jackson, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I was forcing myself to find comfort in the illusion that it was a lie. I searched around Facebook over and over again, hoping to read it isn't true. I went to his Timeline intermittently, praying, wishing to read it didn't happen. And I'm still waiting.

So, if I could send him an update about my Senatorial ambition, and request his support and funding, I have no cause to deny him this public eulogy and to wish him this painful goodbye on my Wall. He was quintessentially a first-class Ajebuta who, nevertheless, elected to be simply an ordinary guy. Not by way of utterances or conduct would you fathom the volume of wealth and influence stacked onto his name. He was simply Akpofure, the man, the unfazed gentle giant who carried dignity effortlessly. May God grant his immediate and extended family members the grace to endure this painful exit. And may his gentle soul rest in peace. Amen.