A little too soon for Professor Osakwe

I always feel sad whenever a scholar passes on. I have high regards for intellectuals and people with special gifts. What more of a man who happened to be my lecturer and head of department. The death of the erudite scholar, Professor C.C.C Osakwe, came rather too soon, but who am I to question the will […]

I always feel sad whenever a scholar passes on. I have high regards for intellectuals and people with special gifts. What more of a man who happened to be my lecturer and head of department. The death of the erudite scholar, Professor C.C.C Osakwe, came rather too soon, but who am I to question the will of God. The academia has lost one of its finest – a thoroughbred military historian and an embodiment of knowledge and intellect.

On December 10, we met at JH Garba Hall, a Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) postgraduate school, Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna, for the launch of a book in honour of Professor Enoch Echim Tangban, who is due to retire in January.

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When I went to greet him after the programme, we had a brief talk and the usual jokes; he pated me on the back and told me to go and take my refreshment. I went with the intention of coming back to have a personal photograph with him, but unknown to me, that was the last time we would see each other. When I come back he had already left the hall, probably for the reception where dignitaries were hosted.

A day after the programme, I saw a post on the Facebook wall of Hajiya Maryam Tanko after she successfully defended her PhD thesis in the department. As the head of the department, Osakwe stood by her side in the photograph. I was surprised that the man would not get tired, but little did I know that he was close to his grave. Is it not amazing that no one knows his last day on earth?

I left for my village a week after the programme. On Saturday evening, I immersed myself to viewing WhatsApp statuses of contacts and came across that of a friend of mine who, some few months ago, defended his MA thesis at KASU. He posted a portrait of the late professor. I thought he posted it to celebrate the man, who happened to be his external examiner; perhaps something good might have happened to him. My mood quickly changed when I saw the caption, “Adieu Prof,’’ with a crying image attached to it.

My heart began to beat fast. I prayed that it would not be true and hurriedly called my friend and the first thing he said was, “Sadiq, sorry for the loss of Prof.’’ When I asked if it was true he added, “Just take heart, Sadiq, he is no more. I got the news from the KASU. Don’t tell me you didn’t know. The story has been going round since morning.’’

I found it difficult to believe him and told myself that there must be some mistake. I said if indeed he was dead, the department would have notified us. I was online throughout the day. He advised me to enquire further so that I may be convinced that the professor had gone.

To be more certain, I called my colleague, Liman. As our senior and staff member of the department, he must have gotten the news. He was reluctant to confirm the news because it was still rumour. He wanted to know where I got it from. He too had not confirmed it. He said the people he contacted were reluctant to talk about it, and advised that we wait till the following day. We ended the conversation but my heart kept pounding very hard. Although I didn’t want to believe it was true, I knew that death could come anytime.  I was crying and reminiscing on the little time I had with the giant scholar.

Osakwe led a life of a true scholar. His life revolved around teaching, mentoring and touring the world in the name of scholarship. His giant figure was never a hindrance to his movements as he walked with a remarkable agility. That adorable smile he wore concealed the enormous burden of responsibilities he carried. He also had a good sense of humour. With his American accent and husky voice, the gentleman was a delight to listen to. He was always jovial.

When I presented my seminar work on the writings of Alexander de Seversky, there was a rapturous applause in class, indicating that Prof had remarked that it was a good presentation. He had said, “The way you skillfully dodged some of the issues raised with regard to the structure of your paper made me think you must be a politician.’’ And the class burst into laughter.

After the class, I and Liman saw Prof off to the car park. And typical of him, he cracked jokes and wanted to know my political party. He said I must be a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). But I told him I belonged to Accord, which is the party for the youth and patriotic Nigerians. He subscribed to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), which he said was the only party with an ideology.

“But your party is dead and you have no money,’’ I said. He replied, laughing, “Aminu Kanos, Achebes, Balarabe Musa and Rimis can all die, but the ideology remains. That’s the big difference.’’

I told him that Attahiru Jega had also joined the PRP and is interested in the presidency come 2023. “That means Jega is also progressive,’’ he said. We all laughed and bade him farewell, not knowing that it was the last time we would have time to discuss with him.

Professor Osakwe was not only jovial, he was also kind. There was a time we had a class with him and he sent me to buy two bottles of cold Pepsi for him. When I returned with the change, he asked why I didn’t buy one for myself. “But you didn’t ask me to do that,’’ I answered. He said I should buy one for myself and take the change. That’s how generous the man was.

He was also very critical of his students, especially with regard to seminar presentation. After he subjected me to a rigorous critique, I looked dejected. He smiled and said, “We are training you to be the next generation of scholars. The idea is not for you to just come here and pass your exams and get the certificate.’’

After he left, we sat down in the class to discuss his method of teaching. We all agree that what he was doing was for our good.  I adored him and had the feeling that I would one day be a scholar like him. Just when we started drinking from the ocean of his wisdom and knowledge, the unexpected came.

We take solace in the fact that death is inevitable. What matters is how you lived your life. I can say that the late historian lived a purposeful life. We lost a mentor, teacher and role model. Nigeria lost a patriot and progressive son who loved the country even above his health. He died when Nigeria needed his services the most.

My condolences go to the family and friends of the late scholar, the Department of History and War Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, and Nigeria as a whole. May we have the fortitude to bear this loss! Goodnight, gentleman.

Inuwa is a postgraduate student of Military History, Department of History and War Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He wrote from Bakori, Katsina State.