A COLOSSAL LOSS (A Tribute to Andrew Efemini)



You never claimed to know it all
For what you believed in, you stood tall
Taking no sides with foes nor friends
But with equal rights and justice
You did your due diligence to all
Never minding what could you befall

Many battles you had to fight
Many foes you did put to flight
In an ocean of accusations
You're submerged like a US Submarine
Behind bars you spent much more than a night
Still, you emerged vindicated like a great light

Of the food you prayed for every day
You smelt the aroma and vanished away
Just when the tongue tempting table
Was set for you to dine away your pains
You'd have stayed with us had we our way
But we know, God has the final say

Rest on amidst your kindred spirits
Battle no more with men nor spirits
Your transition, the world knows
Is indeed an indelible colossal loss
But you live on in our hearts and spirits
Enjoy your new life with your kindred spirits.

About this poem

A tribute to Professor Andrew Efemini who struggled with Diabetes (Type II DM) for many years. He was one time - Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) Uniport Chapter. - Dean of Students Affairs at the University of Port Harcourt. He died on Saturday 31st July 2021 barely a week after being confirmed the new Deputy vice chancellor (Academic) of the University of Port Harcourt. Professor Andrew Efemini died after a brief illness at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.  

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Written on July 31, 2021

Submitted by fidepet on July 31, 2021

Modified by fidepet on August 01, 2021

51 sec read
32

Quick analysis:

Scheme AAXXAA BBXXBB CCXXCC DDXXDD
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 870
Words 170
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 6, 6, 6, 6

Fidelis Peter Olowu

Simply called Fidel by his friends, he was born in Agbarho Kingdom in Ughelli-North Local Government Area of Delta State, South south, Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Fidel won the first prize in Rapidly Applied Poetry (RAP) contest during the second edition of the Lagos Festival of Poetry organized by the Association of Nigerian Authors, Lagos State Chapter, (ANA-Lagos) in the year 2005. He also has a good number of literary achievements internationally such as: - Nominated as an "Honorary Poet Fellow, Noble House, London England in 2006. - Nominated for "Poet of The Year Award" in 2007 by the International Society of Poets (ISP, USA) - Nominated for "Poet of the year Award" in 2008 by ISP, USA. - Enlisted in "The International Who's Who in Poetry" in 2008 by the ISP, USA. Published in numerous Anthologies, magazines, etc. Apart from being a poet and a practicing Nurse, Fidel is an inspirational Broadcast Journalist, a song writer, singer with a good level of music production skills, a very interesting corporate MC, a Graphic Designer, a Voice-over artist, etc. A little wonder he's referred to as The Wonderman. more…

All Fidelis Peter Olowu poems | Fidelis Peter Olowu Books

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