Success Nwanedo
Trails of tributes have followed the announcement of the death of Professor Andrew Efemini, Deputy Vice-Chancellor as Students and colleagues took to social media to mourn his demise.
The revered professor of philosophy of development passed on at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital on Saturday, setting everywhere agog.
Professor Efemini was appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university on Wednesday, two days before his demise.
The news of his death was received with shock by colleagues and students, who mourned the late professor.
TPCN gathered reactions from some students of the institution, who expressed their shock about the sudden demise of Efemini said: “Prof was one of the best things that happened to Uniport. I didn’t know him personally, but I heard of his good deeds. It’s a pity that we lost him at such a time, I pray his soul rests in peace.”
Another student while narrating his experience with the deceased said, “I got to know professor Efemini through my senior colleague. He was a free-spirited human, who was always ready to engage you in an educative argument; I am shocked to hear that he is dead. To be honest, the news hasn’t settled well with me as I choose not to believe it yet.”
Dr. Kasarachi Innocent, a lecturer of the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, who shared his grieve through a comment, recalled the last conversation he had with the late Efemini:
“ME: Good morning, Prof. This is me Kasarachi.
“PROF: O boy, what do you mean sef? Don’t I have your number again and don’t I know your voice? How you dey?
“ME: I’m fine sir. Congratulations on your recent election. Thank God the wicked past is behind you now!
“PROF: My brother, we thank God but hold the congratulations until Council confirms my election. I don’t want trouble again o!
“ME: Prof, pls my bishop wants you to come chair a public lecture next week Thursday. Don’t say no sir.
“PROF: My brother, you know that with my election as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, I can’t just move around because of responsibilities. However, send me the details. See you on Thursday.
“This was the last conversation I had with Prof. Andrew Efemini, last week Tuesday. By Saturday, he was dead!
“As my next-door office neighbor at the University of Port, I knew first hand what this man suffered in the last administration: His salary was stopped for years, he had a health challenge, his conversations were secretly recorded, he was arrested, he was taken to court by the administration, etc. Yet, this very friendly teacher was unbroken. We feared for his health, but he survived.
“Then God smiled on him and on the verge of being compensated for his troubles, he died! Again, at the risk of sounding overly repetitive, I want to ask:
“- Why on earth should a man boast?
“- Why should a man oppress others and hinder their progress as if he owns life?
“- Why should a man see others as enemy and refuse to forgive?
“- Why should a man think his success comes from him and others are nobody?
“Whether you are RICH, SENIOR IN RANK, EDUCATED, BEAUTIFUL, ANOINTED or FAMOUS, you are what you are only BY GRACE! You may be in charge in the office, government, society, or church, but YOU’RE NOT IN CHARGE OF LIFE! Learn!
“Adieu, Prof. My heart is heavy! #standingtallwithkasarachi #notonearsuccess #vanity”
Also responding to the news, friends, and well-wishers took to his Facebook page to mourn as streams of condolence messages were seen on his wall, where he was always active.
Efemini before his death served as Head, Department of Philosophy, ASUU Chairman (Uniport Chapter), and one time Dean of Students’ Affairs.
