AJOVI SCOTT-EMUAKPOR, MD, PhD
Friend and Cousin
RECOUNTS FRANK UKOLI'S LEGACY IN A POEM
The
late Frank Ukoli was a friend to many. But none was closer
to him
than Ajovi Scott-Emuakpor. Cousins and special friends,
their company
was always illuminating, affecting their mutual friends
positively.
Ajovi
was not at Frank's bed side at Warri, in West Africa, as he
took his
last breath at Shell Hospital on December 21, 2004. But Ajovi was an ocean away in Michigan
in the
United States of America, on
telephone, monitoring and worrying about his friend's
health. Ajovi
knew
of Frank's death before his relatives in Warri did.
It will not be enough to publish the poem that Ajovi has composed in his friend's memory without narrating his agony since his death. His note forwarding the poem says it well. There is a human touch in the poem that transcends the competence of medical professionalism. As a distinguished medical practitioner, whose experience spans the Atlantic and two different worlds of Nigerian and American medical practices, Ajovi has saved many lives. He has also seen many people in their dying moments. But nothing prepares one for the taking away of a rich life with which one has become wedded in human love.
Here is Ajovi's note, before his poem:
It will not be enough to publish the poem that Ajovi has composed in his friend's memory without narrating his agony since his death. His note forwarding the poem says it well. There is a human touch in the poem that transcends the competence of medical professionalism. As a distinguished medical practitioner, whose experience spans the Atlantic and two different worlds of Nigerian and American medical practices, Ajovi has saved many lives. He has also seen many people in their dying moments. But nothing prepares one for the taking away of a rich life with which one has become wedded in human love.
Here is Ajovi's note, before his poem:
Dear
Peter:
I
have been
very down for the last three weeks. My pain is so
excruciating that I
do
not know why. If it is because Frank is gone, then I
must be feeling
guilty that I did not do enough to sustain him when he
was alive. Only
this morning did it dawn on me that it is because I
missed the one
opportunity to have interacted with him in the last days
of his life
(at the UHS
meeting
in Effurun). His last email to me before the UHS
meeting
stated, in part, that he was looking forward to seeing
me and to
laughing loud again during my visit. He talked about
hearing my views
on his plans for the next few years (turned out to be
days).
Now
that I
know why I have been so down, I have the courage of
sending my humble
tribute to the memory of Frank. You may share it with
our members, if
you think it is appropriate.
Thank you very much, Peter.
Thank you very much, Peter.
Ajovi
[My Humble Tribute to the Rich Memory
of Professor Frank
M.
A. Ukoli, FAS]
By Ajovi
Scott-Emuakpor
DEATH?
NOT FRANK
They announced that he is dead
Just because he is not there
They’ve used many strange words
Passed, demise, called, left, gone
In those words, so much finality abound
Yet, I see him everyday, he moves around
To say it well, must find another word
Enabling us feel his continued presence
So present, so real, so profound in essence
Giant-sized, watchful, with diligence
Monitoring, as in real life, a rich legacy
His legacy, enabled our liberated minds
Empowering us all to be different kinds
To be different, we courageously traversed
Paths, which for the special were reserved
Special because we saw no other persons
Except those, alike, inspired by his lessons
Wanted to be known only as a Scientist
So he gave impetus to spirited Scientists
Wanted to be remembered as a Scholar
He created beauty around scholarship
Showed example, the value of excellence
Drove us to relentless pursuit of excellence
He taught us the purity of conscience
He made honesty an art and a science
He administered life, not just education
So we can dance, complete dance of affection
For Truth, Justice, Equity and Fairness
A dance for Service, with class and finesse
Be vigilant, you’ll see him everywhere
In those he inspired and who now dare
To pursue knowledge and reach out for truth
In a World, strikingly lacking of both
This should be our greatest tribute to him
Steadfastness, dedication to a life of honor and merit