The Fall of an Iroko Tree
Dr. Augustine Obaro…Leaving an indelible mark in the sand of time…
Ecclesiastes 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Being born is a redemptive right of every child of God. The Bible speaking in:
Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
God deliberately sent Dr. Obaro to Ogori Magongo so as to alleviate some of their pains. Even though I didnt know when he was born, I am very sure there was a little mystery that heralded the birth of this great man because of the nature of the special and divine assignment he had for the OgoriMagongo people.
The name Dr. Obaro rang a bell in the land but little did I know he was a philanthropist and a lover of his people. When I woke up to see a post from the Professor Emeritus Olugbemiro Jegede, I quickly scrolled to open the page thinking it was a happy new year felicitation but to my surprise it was the news of a black day; it was all about the fall of iroko tree, a very bad one to welcome us into the most expected new year. And I pondered a bit to download the picture of this iroko tree.
Hummm I don’t seems to know him but what struck me most was the rude shock his sudden exit transmitted to the community he loved and left behind. While still basking in my thoughts, several posts and condolences started pouring in and few pictures of his last free medical activities to the people of the community emerged. And it down on me that he was involved in free humanitarian services to his people. Little wonder, his transition was a painful one to his people.
Dr. Obaro, why did you suddenly left without a goodbye? Many who enjoyed your free medical outreaches are alive and praying to see you soon. But alas, you were rollcalled to the heavenlies. Indeed your exit was not only a painful one to those who knew you alone, it was more painful to many of us who never knew.
Oh death where is the sting? Oh death where is thy victory? Like the Holy Bible rightly said, we are glad that your exit is gain to heaven because we know you are resting in the bossom of the Lord. In my opinion, I see your brief sojourn on this planet earth as a very impactful one because of the many lives you have touched both at home and abroad.
In summary, being born is one thing: impacting your generation is another. You have been able to proof and to fulfill your divine call to humanity (home and abroad). There can never be such a joy in any one’s face like touching the lives of many especially the downtrodden in various ways. I’m very sure that for a very very long time, your kindheartedness would continue to remain ever green in our hearts.
Your thoughts cannot just melt away from our hearts just like the snowball. To many of us, we did not believe you were dead but sleeping. We take solace in the fact that we shall see each other again on the resurrection morning. Well, what else can we say but to thank God for your brief but very impactful life. The indelible mark you left on the sand of time would remain with us for a very long time. Sleep on God’s General.
The people of the land you loved are still wondering and believing that you were not dead. True indeed because we shall see you on the day the trumpet will sound.
May the Lord comfort your wife, children, family members, friends and professional colleagues and associates you left behind.
Tigure Sir!
By Pastor Alao Aboiodu Emmanuel
Kaduna