My Naija News - Goodbye Phil

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Goodbye Phil

Written by Habib Yakoob

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

Today, I crave the indulgence of my understanding readers to allow me dedicate this space to the memory of my late friend, Ms Phil Shemenenge Sende.

You were pronounced dead in your hotel room, on your visit to Geneva to attend the 117th International Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Switzerland. Why did death choose to accompany you all the way to Geneva, before finally squeezing life out of you? Why was it reluctant to have done it here, when it knew that it would do it, anyway? But death is a cruel messenger; it respects no one, not even a meek, humble and unassuming servant like you.

You may be dead, but we still retain good memories of you.

The last time I saw you was at the National Assembly complex, Abuja when you were dressed in that simple but immaculate skirt and blouse; and you were so full of life that, had I told you that by now, you would be no more, you would have smiled unknowingly and dub me the best joker of the year. But how could I have known too, when Death is a knowledge only with the Supreme Being, who gives and takes whenever He wills?

I remember you telling me how much you cared for your kids, one of whom you wanted me to help secure admission for at the University of Abuja. When the times come, you would let me know, you said. Now I think that time has come, and you are nowhere around.

But my happiness, in part, is that you were honoured even in death. The Senate President and the entire delegation to Geneva had to call off their visit to the 117th International Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting because you had chosen to abandon them unceremoniously.

Mark has promised that “on personal basis, I know that she has got two children, I have already decided that I will take over scholarship of the two children until they finish their university”. I only hope that he would keep to his word, for one thing is to make a promise and another is to fulfill at all, or till the end. I pray that God gives him the power and the strength to do it till the end.

Phil, you were no doubt an asset, and one whose wealth of experience is needed at no better time than now. While we cry that we would miss you physically, we also wipe our tears in the hope that God would look at you with His eye of Mercy and Kindness.

Adieu, compatriot. When shall I see you again?

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