In tears, family, friends, associates sing Dimgba Igwe to eternal glory
. At service of songs in Lagos
On Saturday, Canal Estate, Okota, Lagos, played host to dignitaries from across the country, as family, friends and associates of the late Pastor Dimgba Igwe, vice chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver last month while jogging, converged to sing his soul to eternal glory. It was the day set aside for a Service of Songs by his church, Evangel Pentecostal Church.
At the service, soul-lifting songs, which brought many participants to tears, rent the air, as the voices of members of the choir and congregation reverberated in the four corners of the church’s auditorium. There were also showers of tributes on the departed journalist.
As early as noon, hundreds of people had started streaming into the church where the event held. From all parts of Lagos and beyond, they came. For many, it was the last opportunity to ‘interact’ with Igwe again. They came to pour out emotions on the loss, disappointment, hope of life-after-death and many more. They wanted to say everything they knew about Igwe in one whole breath and the event provided that fitting vent.
Expectedly, the atmosphere was solemn, as tributes poured in for the man, who contributed in no small measure towards changing the face of journalism in the country. Those who spoke affirmed that the late Igwe was a media icon, philanthropist, an author, writer, counsellor, mentor, loving father and soldier of Christ. They ranged from his children, church members, associates, employees, friends and well wishers. They bore testimonies of a man, who made impact in their lives.
The participants at the Service of Songs were thrilled by musical rendition by Nigerian flutist and music maestro, Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola-Iseli. The artiste, whom many know as “Tee Mac”, sent emotions running wild with his heart-touching rendition of the popular hymn, “Amazing Grace.” And he struck a perfect cord when his effort caused tears to well up in the eyes of many in the congregation. And the tributes poured out like torrents of rain.
For Mrs. Ngozi Emelike, Choir Mistress of the church, “Dimgba was a man of God and very intelligent. He had a listening ear. He was a proactive and accommodating person. Anytime the choir department called upon him for help, he usually responded positively. He always told us to see our service, as something very important to God; that we must give our best.”
In his comments, the Chairman, Dele Orishabiyi Street Landlords’ Association, Elder Daniel Adegoke, said: “Dimgba was a humble man to the core. Everyone was touched by how good he was.”
“And for the family, they should be consoled by the fact that Dimgba had a glorious end. We believe there is a reason for his being taken away at a time like this.
“Dimgba was said to be a truly thorough-bred professional. He was also an evangelist who loved salvation.”
The late journalist’s co-jogging partners, under the umbrella of Isolo Fitness Group, were not left out in mourning their departed colleague. Represented by Mr. Henry Obijuru, the group said: “We have been jogging for so many years. We don’t need to cry like those who don’t have hope. We pray that God should receive his soul. May God comfort his immediate family, especially his wife and children.”
In her tribute, Igwe’s daughter, Glory, said: “Words can never describe what my dad means to me and how important he is to me. To many, he was a pastor. To some, a mentor. Others, a proficient and excellent writer, a great mind, a brother, a friend. But to my family, he was a father, a husband, a man full of love. He inspired us to be the best. I have seen him overcome things that break people down. He had this unusual grace. He always stood for what was right, no matter what.”
In his moving tribute, Glory’s brother, Chinedu, said: “Dear father, you have always been there for us. Anytime I needed advice, you would be the first person I would go to. I always held you in high regards and always will. On hearing of your sudden demise, I was still and still am devastated. Till this day, I still refuse to believe that it happened. I regret the fact that you won’t be there for certain moments in my life, like my graduation because most of everything I did was done to impress you and make you proud. Now that you are with the Lord, I hope you rest in peace and watch over your family from heaven.”
His younger brother, Ijioma, also paid tribute to his father, saying: “It is with a heavy heart…that I manage to write. I can still see No. 82, Bale Street, Orile, Iganmu, that one room where you started from when you came to Lagos. I cannot comprehensively say all you went through until you attained this level.”
“After all these years of struggle and suffering to survive and now it seems you are becoming relevant, is when your life was abruptly terminated. You were very kind, compassionate, generous, a gentleman to the core, a peace maker, a mentor and a genuine servant of God.”
Major General Paul Toun (rtd.), General Overseer, Evangel Pentecostal Church, said: “We salute a man of truth and courage, a man who would not speak with both sides of his mouth, as is very common today. His pen was indeed, mightier than the sword but which might was always moderated by the ‘sword’ of the spirit. A giant iroko tree has fallen! A general has been forced into early retirement!”
“If you ask me, I think what made Dimgba Igwe the person he was, was the extent that he allowed the Holy Spirit of God to operate in his life. He had a friendly disposition, even to persons he had not known intimately before. He was a man who shared in your pain. Dimgba was a committed, gifted and dedicated teacher, pastor and counselor. He spent long hours studying so that he could teach others.
“To Dimgba, giving financial assistance was never a problem. His only problem was to identify the needy. He gave loans to person who took advantage of him and never bothered to repay the loan. Yet, that never stopped him from assisting others.”
The General Overseer pointed out that all the outburst of emotion in honour of Igwe would be meaningless unless those he left behind fully subscribed to the qualities that made him. He admonished the congregation to make definite efforts under God, to recreate in their lives, those qualities that made Dimgba the celebrated icon he was, even in death.
Perhaps, the most touching tribute of the night was given by his bosom friend and colleague, Mike Awonyinfa, who described the late Igwe as his “good friend.”
Just as Awoyinfa was giving his tribute, the congregation was buried in sober reflection, as he statistically reeled out the special moments he had with the deceased. When he recalled that it was Igwe who revived him when he fell on the street of France while taking photographs, while expressing regret that he could not do same for him when he was knocked down on the street of Lagos by the reckless driver, the congregation shed tears.
His words: “Oh people of Israel, let not the Philistines of Nigeria rejoice. Let there be no dew, nor rain upon you. Let there be no tears because my friend is gone. We were birds of different feathers, yet we flocked together. In our differences, we found love; we found unity. Let there be no tears because my friend is gone. He is gone to a higher place.”
He recalled how he refused Igwe to baptise him when they both visited River Jordan, pointing out that a prophet was never honoured among his people.
“He told me at the River Jordan, ‘Mike let me baptise you,’ but I said no. He later baptised two other Nigerians that day,” Awoyinfa said.
Speaking further on his eventful life journey with the deceased, Awoyinfa recalled their numerous trips abroad together, particularly, a trip they made to the France when he stumbled and fell.
“When I fell down in the city of Paris, my friend was there to revive me, but when Igwe fell in the city of Lagos, I was not there to revive him,” he lamented.
He described Igwe as someone with a good sense of dressing, noting that the late journalist hated jeans, like Ebola. He recalled that any time he, Awoyinfa, wore a pair of jeans trousers, his friend would ask him why he was “dressed like a mechanic”, adding: “But above everything, I say thank you for the encouragement. You always talked about Heaven. I will work hard to make it to Heaven so that we can be reunited. My dear friend, sleep well and rest in peace. My dear friend, I promise you, I will do my best. Thank you and may you rest in peace.”
The Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina, in his tribute entitled, “See you someday, boss,” noted that writing a press release to announce the death of Igwe, on behalf of The Sun Publishing Limited, was one of the toughest things he ever did, adding that his fingers shook, as he typed the words.
“I had been at the hospital, when the sepulchral news was broken that you had lost the battle for life but the stark reality of that tragedy did not sink in till I began to type the press release. I wept as I typed. The keyboard was suffused with the raindrops from my eyes and how I wish tears could wake the dead. I would have shed enough to fill the ocean. But you were gone. You have exchanged mortality with immortality. You are in another realm where they neither fall sick nor can be hit by drivers from hell. You are already in indescribable light before the Master you had served faithfully for decades. Even if we had the power to call you back, it was doubtful if you would have answered us. No man beholds that infinite glory and willingly exchanges it for this finite one. The battle is over, and victory is won,” Adesina said.
Recollecting when they started working together, 25 years ago at the Concord Press of Nigeria, Adesina said: “Dimgba was one of the chefs that cooked those appetising meals we never missed. It was, therefore, an honour for me to meet him later and work with him. Since then, we had never been apart, at least, not professionally, till this final parting. We spoke the previous night and how come we didn’t know it was valedictory? Why did God hide it from us both? Why, why, why?”
“But the parting can only be temporal. Whether for a long time, or a short time, we will see again. Who can stop that reunion? Not sin, not death, not things on earth, or beneath it. I believe in the same God whom you loved, served and trusted. You have gone to be with him. You only went ahead of me and of millions of others, who love this same God. Who will stop us from joining you at the fullness of time? Who? Who will ever dare do it? I can only say for now: see you someday, boss. We will surely meet again. How happy that day shall be.”
Virtually everyone was moved to tears when one of Igwe’s sons, Chinazam, mounted the rostrum to pay tribute to his father. He stated: “A piece of me is gone, one of the biggest pieces keeping me sane. Now all I see are pieces and I am puzzled. What am I to do? How do I go on? What is my motivation for life now? Should I just end it all here? But no, you would never forgive me if you saw me,” he said.
On Saturday, Canal Estate, Okota, Lagos, played host to dignitaries from across the country, as family, friends and associates of the late Pastor Dimgba Igwe, vice chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver last month while jogging, converged to sing his soul to eternal glory. It was the day set aside for a Service of Songs by his church, Evangel Pentecostal Church.
At the service, soul-lifting songs, which brought many participants to tears, rent the air, as the voices of members of the choir and congregation reverberated in the four corners of the church’s auditorium. There were also showers of tributes on the departed journalist.
As early as noon, hundreds of people had started streaming into the church where the event held. From all parts of Lagos and beyond, they came. For many, it was the last opportunity to ‘interact’ with Igwe again. They came to pour out emotions on the loss, disappointment, hope of life-after-death and many more. They wanted to say everything they knew about Igwe in one whole breath and the event provided that fitting vent.
Expectedly, the atmosphere was solemn, as tributes poured in for the man, who contributed in no small measure towards changing the face of journalism in the country. Those who spoke affirmed that the late Igwe was a media icon, philanthropist, an author, writer, counsellor, mentor, loving father and soldier of Christ. They ranged from his children, church members, associates, employees, friends and well wishers. They bore testimonies of a man, who made impact in their lives.
The participants at the Service of Songs were thrilled by musical rendition by Nigerian flutist and music maestro, Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola-Iseli. The artiste, whom many know as “Tee Mac”, sent emotions running wild with his heart-touching rendition of the popular hymn, “Amazing Grace.” And he struck a perfect cord when his effort caused tears to well up in the eyes of many in the congregation. And the tributes poured out like torrents of rain.
For Mrs. Ngozi Emelike, Choir Mistress of the church, “Dimgba was a man of God and very intelligent. He had a listening ear. He was a proactive and accommodating person. Anytime the choir department called upon him for help, he usually responded positively. He always told us to see our service, as something very important to God; that we must give our best.”
In his comments, the Chairman, Dele Orishabiyi Street Landlords’ Association, Elder Daniel Adegoke, said: “Dimgba was a humble man to the core. Everyone was touched by how good he was.”
“And for the family, they should be consoled by the fact that Dimgba had a glorious end. We believe there is a reason for his being taken away at a time like this.
“Dimgba was said to be a truly thorough-bred professional. He was also an evangelist who loved salvation.”
The late journalist’s co-jogging partners, under the umbrella of Isolo Fitness Group, were not left out in mourning their departed colleague. Represented by Mr. Henry Obijuru, the group said: “We have been jogging for so many years. We don’t need to cry like those who don’t have hope. We pray that God should receive his soul. May God comfort his immediate family, especially his wife and children.”
In her tribute, Igwe’s daughter, Glory, said: “Words can never describe what my dad means to me and how important he is to me. To many, he was a pastor. To some, a mentor. Others, a proficient and excellent writer, a great mind, a brother, a friend. But to my family, he was a father, a husband, a man full of love. He inspired us to be the best. I have seen him overcome things that break people down. He had this unusual grace. He always stood for what was right, no matter what.”
In his moving tribute, Glory’s brother, Chinedu, said: “Dear father, you have always been there for us. Anytime I needed advice, you would be the first person I would go to. I always held you in high regards and always will. On hearing of your sudden demise, I was still and still am devastated. Till this day, I still refuse to believe that it happened. I regret the fact that you won’t be there for certain moments in my life, like my graduation because most of everything I did was done to impress you and make you proud. Now that you are with the Lord, I hope you rest in peace and watch over your family from heaven.”
His younger brother, Ijioma, also paid tribute to his father, saying: “It is with a heavy heart…that I manage to write. I can still see No. 82, Bale Street, Orile, Iganmu, that one room where you started from when you came to Lagos. I cannot comprehensively say all you went through until you attained this level.”
“After all these years of struggle and suffering to survive and now it seems you are becoming relevant, is when your life was abruptly terminated. You were very kind, compassionate, generous, a gentleman to the core, a peace maker, a mentor and a genuine servant of God.”
Major General Paul Toun (rtd.), General Overseer, Evangel Pentecostal Church, said: “We salute a man of truth and courage, a man who would not speak with both sides of his mouth, as is very common today. His pen was indeed, mightier than the sword but which might was always moderated by the ‘sword’ of the spirit. A giant iroko tree has fallen! A general has been forced into early retirement!”
“If you ask me, I think what made Dimgba Igwe the person he was, was the extent that he allowed the Holy Spirit of God to operate in his life. He had a friendly disposition, even to persons he had not known intimately before. He was a man who shared in your pain. Dimgba was a committed, gifted and dedicated teacher, pastor and counselor. He spent long hours studying so that he could teach others.
“To Dimgba, giving financial assistance was never a problem. His only problem was to identify the needy. He gave loans to person who took advantage of him and never bothered to repay the loan. Yet, that never stopped him from assisting others.”
The General Overseer pointed out that all the outburst of emotion in honour of Igwe would be meaningless unless those he left behind fully subscribed to the qualities that made him. He admonished the congregation to make definite efforts under God, to recreate in their lives, those qualities that made Dimgba the celebrated icon he was, even in death.
Perhaps, the most touching tribute of the night was given by his bosom friend and colleague, Mike Awonyinfa, who described the late Igwe as his “good friend.”
Just as Awoyinfa was giving his tribute, the congregation was buried in sober reflection, as he statistically reeled out the special moments he had with the deceased. When he recalled that it was Igwe who revived him when he fell on the street of France while taking photographs, while expressing regret that he could not do same for him when he was knocked down on the street of Lagos by the reckless driver, the congregation shed tears.
His words: “Oh people of Israel, let not the Philistines of Nigeria rejoice. Let there be no dew, nor rain upon you. Let there be no tears because my friend is gone. We were birds of different feathers, yet we flocked together. In our differences, we found love; we found unity. Let there be no tears because my friend is gone. He is gone to a higher place.”
He recalled how he refused Igwe to baptise him when they both visited River Jordan, pointing out that a prophet was never honoured among his people.
“He told me at the River Jordan, ‘Mike let me baptise you,’ but I said no. He later baptised two other Nigerians that day,” Awoyinfa said.
Speaking further on his eventful life journey with the deceased, Awoyinfa recalled their numerous trips abroad together, particularly, a trip they made to the France when he stumbled and fell.
“When I fell down in the city of Paris, my friend was there to revive me, but when Igwe fell in the city of Lagos, I was not there to revive him,” he lamented.
He described Igwe as someone with a good sense of dressing, noting that the late journalist hated jeans, like Ebola. He recalled that any time he, Awoyinfa, wore a pair of jeans trousers, his friend would ask him why he was “dressed like a mechanic”, adding: “But above everything, I say thank you for the encouragement. You always talked about Heaven. I will work hard to make it to Heaven so that we can be reunited. My dear friend, sleep well and rest in peace. My dear friend, I promise you, I will do my best. Thank you and may you rest in peace.”
The Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina, in his tribute entitled, “See you someday, boss,” noted that writing a press release to announce the death of Igwe, on behalf of The Sun Publishing Limited, was one of the toughest things he ever did, adding that his fingers shook, as he typed the words.
“I had been at the hospital, when the sepulchral news was broken that you had lost the battle for life but the stark reality of that tragedy did not sink in till I began to type the press release. I wept as I typed. The keyboard was suffused with the raindrops from my eyes and how I wish tears could wake the dead. I would have shed enough to fill the ocean. But you were gone. You have exchanged mortality with immortality. You are in another realm where they neither fall sick nor can be hit by drivers from hell. You are already in indescribable light before the Master you had served faithfully for decades. Even if we had the power to call you back, it was doubtful if you would have answered us. No man beholds that infinite glory and willingly exchanges it for this finite one. The battle is over, and victory is won,” Adesina said.
Recollecting when they started working together, 25 years ago at the Concord Press of Nigeria, Adesina said: “Dimgba was one of the chefs that cooked those appetising meals we never missed. It was, therefore, an honour for me to meet him later and work with him. Since then, we had never been apart, at least, not professionally, till this final parting. We spoke the previous night and how come we didn’t know it was valedictory? Why did God hide it from us both? Why, why, why?”
“But the parting can only be temporal. Whether for a long time, or a short time, we will see again. Who can stop that reunion? Not sin, not death, not things on earth, or beneath it. I believe in the same God whom you loved, served and trusted. You have gone to be with him. You only went ahead of me and of millions of others, who love this same God. Who will stop us from joining you at the fullness of time? Who? Who will ever dare do it? I can only say for now: see you someday, boss. We will surely meet again. How happy that day shall be.”
Virtually everyone was moved to tears when one of Igwe’s sons, Chinazam, mounted the rostrum to pay tribute to his father. He stated: “A piece of me is gone, one of the biggest pieces keeping me sane. Now all I see are pieces and I am puzzled. What am I to do? How do I go on? What is my motivation for life now? Should I just end it all here? But no, you would never forgive me if you saw me,” he said.
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