*TRIBUTE TO A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW- RT. HON. JUDE IKPONMWOSA ISE-IDEHEN*
When a good man passes prematurely, we begin to wonder why. As we seek clarity, time passes and then we are left with no other option than to accept the reality that a dear friend is no longer with us. Rt. Hon. Jude Ikponmwosa Ise-Idehen was humble, kind, empathetic, humane and God-fearing. Having carved his name on the hearts of many that crossed paths with him, his legacy will always be etched in their minds and in the stories we all will share about him.
In his many contributions to the development of our beloved Edo State, he served Ikpoba-Okha local government area as a two-time member of the Edo State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2015. During his time in the house, he was known for facilitating very many projects that met the needs of the host communities. Some of these priority-driven projects have remained useful till date. It was because of this performance that he got nominated and was later elected in 2019 to represent the good people of Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency in the green chamber of the National Assembly, a position he held till his untimely transition. In his three years in office, he sponsored and co-sponsored several bills and attracted a lot of developmental projects to the constituency and with many more still on their way.
Jude was a man of many parts- he was an accomplished entrepreneur, a philanthropist and a sports lover who had a knack for short-put. He was an easy soul whose hilarity was contagious. He was playful yet focused, calm in demeanour yet dexterous in action. He was a man of great courage and conviction.
Like everyone else, Jude was an imperfect being. Despite his social life, his love for God remained insurmountable. As a devout Catholic, he was totally committed to his faith and was the sponsor of the popular daily Catholic prayer on radio at 12noon and 6pm titled- *“The Angelus”* for over a decade.
Remarkably, he had an uncommon perception to human relationships. He was in-discriminatory and connected with people across ethno-religious and political lines in ways that very few could. Although sometimes short-tempered, he always found a way to make up for his shortcomings. He was a phenomenal man who loved his family in no small measure.
As we all grieve, I pray that the Almighty God will grant us the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Our tears are no marks of weakness, but of deep reflection, of unspeakable love for him and our belief in the resurrection morning as dictated in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14: *“…... that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him”*-
Adieu Rt. Hon Jude Ise-Idehen! Adieu.
*Pst. Osagie Ize-Iyamu*