Tribute To My Beloved Uncle, Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo

Tribute To My Beloved Uncle, Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo

How do I even begin to put into words what it was like to have an uncle like Hon. Barr. Umoh Etukudo? I don't know where to start but I'll try.

The news of the passing away of my dear uncle came to me as a rude shock.

I still vividly remember when I was a little boy and had just secured admission into J.S.S. 1, I visited uncle who was then an honourable member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly representing Etinan State Constituency. In the course of the visit, I informed uncle of the good news that I had secured admission and will be resuming school the coming week. Upon hearing the good news, uncle in his usual and extraordinarily generous way of giving, gave me a huge amount of money that did not only take care of my school fees but also sustained me throughout the academic session in boarding school.

If I were to be given that amount of money that uncle gave me more than twenty years ago today, then it is obvious that I would have sent in this tribute from Ibom Icon Hotel.

As they say, journey of a thousand miles begin with a step. That journey into secondary school that I embarked upon more than twenty years ago with the support of my uncle later culminated into me becoming a lawyer and being called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria just like my dear uncle whom I drew inspiration from.

Straightforwardness and principled stance on issues are some of the qualities I admired about uncle.

Uncle, your absence brings pain to me and also brings joy because I have the assurance that you have gone to rest with the Lord. Goodbye till we meet again Uncle.

Barr. Ndi Aquaisua