The outpouring of tears and tributes for the late distinguished journalist and vice-chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited, Pastor Dimgba Igwe continued yesterday as hundreds of people turned out at the service of songs held in his honour at the headquarters of Evangel Pentecostal Church, located in Okota, Lagos.
Igwe was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Saturday, September 6, as he was jogging in the morning within his neighbourhood in Okota, Lagos. The service of songs was soaked with great testimonials of the man described as one who cherished his salvation and guarded it jealously even as he worked hard to tell others about the forgiving love of God shown in the eternal sacrifice of Christ on the cross for the redemption of man from sin.
The floodgate of tributes was thrown open with a musical rendition by Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola-Iseli, Nigeria’s multi-talented music maestro and flutist. The heart-touching rendition of the popular song, “Amazing Grace” drew tears from many people in the congregation.
This was followed by a heart-rending tribute by Mike Awonyinfa, who described the late Dimgba Igwe as his friend and twin brother.
His words: “Oh people of Israel, let not the Philistines of Nigeria rejoice. Let there be no dew, nor rain upon you. Let there be no tears, because my friend is gone. We were birds of different feathers yet we flocked together. In our differences, we found love; we found unity. Let there be no tears because my friend is gone. He is gone to a higher place.”
Speaking on his eventful life journey with the deceased, he recalled their numerous trips abroad together and recounted a particular trip they made to the United States, when he fell down exhaustion. He said: “When I fell down in the city of New York, my friend was there to revive me, but when Dimgba fell in the city of Lagos, I was not there to revive him.”
Awoyinfa noted that as good friends, there were days they quarrelled. Most of the time, the quarrels were sparked by his usual habit of not wanting to part with money any time they parked at a filling station to buy fuel.
Eulogising his friend further, he described him as someone with a good sense of dressing, noting that Igwe hated jeans like Ebola. He recalled that any time he, Awoyinfa, wore jeans, his friend would ask him why he was “dressed like a mechanic.”
Recalling the role Igwe played during his 60th birthday, Awoyinfa thanked him specially for making his birthday memorable.
“But above everything, I say thank you for the encouragement. You always talked about Heaven. I will work hard to make it to Heaven, so that we can be reunited. My dear friend, sleep well and rest in peace. My dear friend, I promise you I would do my best. Thank you and may you rest in peace.”
The Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina, in his tribute titled, ‘See you someday, boss’, noted that writing a press release announcing the death of Igwe on behalf of The Sun Publishing Limited, was one of the toughest things he had ever done, adding that his fingers shook as he typed the words.
“I had been at the hospital, when the sepulchral news was broken that you had lost the battle for life, but the stark reality of that tragedy did not sink in till I began to type the press release. I wept as I typed. The keyboard was suffused with the raindrops from my eyes, and how I wish tears could wake the dead. I would have shed enough to fill the ocean. But you were gone. You had exchanged mortality with immortality. You were in another realm, where they neither fall sick nor can they be hit by drivers from hell. You were already in indescribable light, before the Master you had served faithfully for decades. Even if we had the power to call you back, it was doubtful if you would have answered us. No man beholds that infinite glory, and willingly exchanges it for this finite one. The battle is over, and victory is won,” Adesina said.
Casting his mind back to when they started working together, 25 years ago at the Concord Press of Nigeria, Adesina said: “Igwe was one of the chefs that cooked those appetizing meals we never missed. It was, therefore, an honour for me to meet him later, and work with him. Since then, we had never been apart, at least not professionally, till this final parting. We spoke the previous night, and how come we didn’t know it was valedictory? Why did God hide it from us both? Why, why, why?
“But the parting can only be temporal. Whether for a long time, or a short time, we will see again. Who can stop that reunion? Not sin, not death, not things on earth, or beneath it. I believe in the same God whom you loved, served and trusted. You have gone to be with him. You only went ahead of me, and of millions of others who love this same God. Who will stop us from joining you at the fullness of time? Who? Who will ever dare do it? I can only say for now: see you someday, boss. We will surely meet again. How happy that day shall be.”
Virtually everyone was moved to tears when one of the sons of Dimgba, Chinazam, mounted the rostrum to pay tribute to his father and said: “A piece of me is gone, one of the biggest pieces keeping me sane. Now all I see are pieces and I am puzzled. What am I to do? How do I go on? What is my motivation for life now? Should I just end it all here? But no, you would never forgive me if you saw me.”
The young Igwe recalled waking up on that morning, shocked that his father didn’t wake him up with the usual call to prayer. But later he just assumed that he had gone for his routine morning exercise.
He spoke further: “I can’t even remember my last words to you. The day before, I followed you to go and see mummy in her shop. I guess that was our last time together and I will forever cherish that moment together. I remember going off with Charlie to my GCE centre and I just kept seeing people jogging, it was strange at first but I just discarded it, I guess that was God’s sign to me that something was wrong.”
“Why did you have to go? Why now? Why? Why? Why did that man decide to drive his car out that day? I had just asked you the night before if you would love your children to build a house for you to live in. You replied with a big yes. You were who I looked up to. You were my only true mentor. I had made a vow to God and myself to surpass you. That I would do better than you. You told me that when people see you that it would be better for them to say, “Aren’t you the father of that great boy” than when they see me and say, “Aren’t you the son of that great man.”
“I would be strong for mummy, I will not cry again, instead of mourning your death, I’d rather celebrate your life. You have been elevated to new heights, the greatest there is. Now I have my own definition of when someone tells me the sky is not the limit, heaven is. And I know you have reached that limit. Dad I miss you, I always did and I still love you, you were my source of joy. Dad, thank you for training me, for teaching me all I know, I will hold it dearly.”
His tribute was also followed by a song tagged, “My Help cometh from the Lord”, by his sister, Victory.
In his sermon, the General Overseer of New Testament Assembly, Pastor Samson Bamigbeyan, said he received the news of Igwe’s demise like a bullet while he was in Europe. Describing the tragic end of the journalism guru as most devastating to him, he recalled that the deceased delivered a sermon during his (Bamigbeyan’s) golden celebration, seven months ago.
In a message titled, “We shall be changed”, he eulogized Igwe, stating that he came, saw and conquered before his exit from the sinful world. He argued that death was not the end of man, pointing out that it was only a gateway to another world beyond. He urged the congregation to always stand by the truth and to toe the path of what is right, noting that death could knock at anyone’s door at any time.
Bamigbeyan noted that no matter anyone’s status, be it intellectually, politically and otherwise, all would be changed by death one day. He maintained that the only thing one can be remembered for was the kind life lived, urging the congregation to be conscious of the world beyond.
He concluded that life was so brief and must be handled with care, adding that death was sure for every living person. He expressed optimism that Igwe was already resting with the Lord.
When he addressed the gathering, General Overseer of Evangel Pentecostal Church, Pastor Paul Alowei Toun, a retired Major General, said the unexpected news of the death of Pastor Dimgba Igwe, swept all the members of the church off the ground like a tsunami, stressing that it was completely beyond anyone’s imagination, noting that it generated all manner of questions in the minds, questions that rocked the root of existence as believers.
He variously described the late ace journalist as a great man of God, a general of the army of heaven, a rare breed, a teacher of the word, a counsellor of great insight, a pastor of a countless number of men and women and a philanthropist with an extremely large heart. He said: “He was a trusted friend, caring father and loving husband; a man so closely connected with the high and mighty and yet, so comfortable and lowly. A man extremely gifted for the work of the kingdom. We salute a man of truth and courage. We salute a man who would not and could not speak from both sides of the mouth – a practice that is very common today. We salute a journalist’s journalist.”
He announced that the church had established the Dimgba Igwe Trust Fund in his honour for the educational upkeep of his children and to also keep his legacy alive. He stated that the church had already deposited the sum of N500,000 into the fund.
Many distinguished personalities from all walks of life attended the service of songs, including Ray Ekpu, Erastus Akingbola, Dr. Doyin Abiola, Kunle Ajibade, Cosmos Maduka, Nduka Irabor, Eze Uche Dimgba, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, Dr. Ukpabi Kings, Tony Chiejina, Mrs. Sylva Esajere, Dan Agbese, Daniel Adegoke. Members of the senior management of the Sun Publishing Limited. Those who also attended the special service were the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Steve Nwosu, Executive Director, Special Duties, Tunji Bolaji, General Editor, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Saturday Editor, Bruce Malogo and General Manager, Corporate Services, Neta Nwosu.
Igwe was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Saturday, September 6, as he was jogging in the morning within his neighbourhood in Okota, Lagos. The service of songs was soaked with great testimonials of the man described as one who cherished his salvation and guarded it jealously even as he worked hard to tell others about the forgiving love of God shown in the eternal sacrifice of Christ on the cross for the redemption of man from sin.
The floodgate of tributes was thrown open with a musical rendition by Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola-Iseli, Nigeria’s multi-talented music maestro and flutist. The heart-touching rendition of the popular song, “Amazing Grace” drew tears from many people in the congregation.
This was followed by a heart-rending tribute by Mike Awonyinfa, who described the late Dimgba Igwe as his friend and twin brother.
His words: “Oh people of Israel, let not the Philistines of Nigeria rejoice. Let there be no dew, nor rain upon you. Let there be no tears, because my friend is gone. We were birds of different feathers yet we flocked together. In our differences, we found love; we found unity. Let there be no tears because my friend is gone. He is gone to a higher place.”
Speaking on his eventful life journey with the deceased, he recalled their numerous trips abroad together and recounted a particular trip they made to the United States, when he fell down exhaustion. He said: “When I fell down in the city of New York, my friend was there to revive me, but when Dimgba fell in the city of Lagos, I was not there to revive him.”
Awoyinfa noted that as good friends, there were days they quarrelled. Most of the time, the quarrels were sparked by his usual habit of not wanting to part with money any time they parked at a filling station to buy fuel.
Eulogising his friend further, he described him as someone with a good sense of dressing, noting that Igwe hated jeans like Ebola. He recalled that any time he, Awoyinfa, wore jeans, his friend would ask him why he was “dressed like a mechanic.”
Recalling the role Igwe played during his 60th birthday, Awoyinfa thanked him specially for making his birthday memorable.
“But above everything, I say thank you for the encouragement. You always talked about Heaven. I will work hard to make it to Heaven, so that we can be reunited. My dear friend, sleep well and rest in peace. My dear friend, I promise you I would do my best. Thank you and may you rest in peace.”
The Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina, in his tribute titled, ‘See you someday, boss’, noted that writing a press release announcing the death of Igwe on behalf of The Sun Publishing Limited, was one of the toughest things he had ever done, adding that his fingers shook as he typed the words.
“I had been at the hospital, when the sepulchral news was broken that you had lost the battle for life, but the stark reality of that tragedy did not sink in till I began to type the press release. I wept as I typed. The keyboard was suffused with the raindrops from my eyes, and how I wish tears could wake the dead. I would have shed enough to fill the ocean. But you were gone. You had exchanged mortality with immortality. You were in another realm, where they neither fall sick nor can they be hit by drivers from hell. You were already in indescribable light, before the Master you had served faithfully for decades. Even if we had the power to call you back, it was doubtful if you would have answered us. No man beholds that infinite glory, and willingly exchanges it for this finite one. The battle is over, and victory is won,” Adesina said.
Casting his mind back to when they started working together, 25 years ago at the Concord Press of Nigeria, Adesina said: “Igwe was one of the chefs that cooked those appetizing meals we never missed. It was, therefore, an honour for me to meet him later, and work with him. Since then, we had never been apart, at least not professionally, till this final parting. We spoke the previous night, and how come we didn’t know it was valedictory? Why did God hide it from us both? Why, why, why?
“But the parting can only be temporal. Whether for a long time, or a short time, we will see again. Who can stop that reunion? Not sin, not death, not things on earth, or beneath it. I believe in the same God whom you loved, served and trusted. You have gone to be with him. You only went ahead of me, and of millions of others who love this same God. Who will stop us from joining you at the fullness of time? Who? Who will ever dare do it? I can only say for now: see you someday, boss. We will surely meet again. How happy that day shall be.”
Virtually everyone was moved to tears when one of the sons of Dimgba, Chinazam, mounted the rostrum to pay tribute to his father and said: “A piece of me is gone, one of the biggest pieces keeping me sane. Now all I see are pieces and I am puzzled. What am I to do? How do I go on? What is my motivation for life now? Should I just end it all here? But no, you would never forgive me if you saw me.”
The young Igwe recalled waking up on that morning, shocked that his father didn’t wake him up with the usual call to prayer. But later he just assumed that he had gone for his routine morning exercise.
He spoke further: “I can’t even remember my last words to you. The day before, I followed you to go and see mummy in her shop. I guess that was our last time together and I will forever cherish that moment together. I remember going off with Charlie to my GCE centre and I just kept seeing people jogging, it was strange at first but I just discarded it, I guess that was God’s sign to me that something was wrong.”
“Why did you have to go? Why now? Why? Why? Why did that man decide to drive his car out that day? I had just asked you the night before if you would love your children to build a house for you to live in. You replied with a big yes. You were who I looked up to. You were my only true mentor. I had made a vow to God and myself to surpass you. That I would do better than you. You told me that when people see you that it would be better for them to say, “Aren’t you the father of that great boy” than when they see me and say, “Aren’t you the son of that great man.”
“I would be strong for mummy, I will not cry again, instead of mourning your death, I’d rather celebrate your life. You have been elevated to new heights, the greatest there is. Now I have my own definition of when someone tells me the sky is not the limit, heaven is. And I know you have reached that limit. Dad I miss you, I always did and I still love you, you were my source of joy. Dad, thank you for training me, for teaching me all I know, I will hold it dearly.”
His tribute was also followed by a song tagged, “My Help cometh from the Lord”, by his sister, Victory.
In his sermon, the General Overseer of New Testament Assembly, Pastor Samson Bamigbeyan, said he received the news of Igwe’s demise like a bullet while he was in Europe. Describing the tragic end of the journalism guru as most devastating to him, he recalled that the deceased delivered a sermon during his (Bamigbeyan’s) golden celebration, seven months ago.
In a message titled, “We shall be changed”, he eulogized Igwe, stating that he came, saw and conquered before his exit from the sinful world. He argued that death was not the end of man, pointing out that it was only a gateway to another world beyond. He urged the congregation to always stand by the truth and to toe the path of what is right, noting that death could knock at anyone’s door at any time.
Bamigbeyan noted that no matter anyone’s status, be it intellectually, politically and otherwise, all would be changed by death one day. He maintained that the only thing one can be remembered for was the kind life lived, urging the congregation to be conscious of the world beyond.
He concluded that life was so brief and must be handled with care, adding that death was sure for every living person. He expressed optimism that Igwe was already resting with the Lord.
When he addressed the gathering, General Overseer of Evangel Pentecostal Church, Pastor Paul Alowei Toun, a retired Major General, said the unexpected news of the death of Pastor Dimgba Igwe, swept all the members of the church off the ground like a tsunami, stressing that it was completely beyond anyone’s imagination, noting that it generated all manner of questions in the minds, questions that rocked the root of existence as believers.
He variously described the late ace journalist as a great man of God, a general of the army of heaven, a rare breed, a teacher of the word, a counsellor of great insight, a pastor of a countless number of men and women and a philanthropist with an extremely large heart. He said: “He was a trusted friend, caring father and loving husband; a man so closely connected with the high and mighty and yet, so comfortable and lowly. A man extremely gifted for the work of the kingdom. We salute a man of truth and courage. We salute a man who would not and could not speak from both sides of the mouth – a practice that is very common today. We salute a journalist’s journalist.”
He announced that the church had established the Dimgba Igwe Trust Fund in his honour for the educational upkeep of his children and to also keep his legacy alive. He stated that the church had already deposited the sum of N500,000 into the fund.
Many distinguished personalities from all walks of life attended the service of songs, including Ray Ekpu, Erastus Akingbola, Dr. Doyin Abiola, Kunle Ajibade, Cosmos Maduka, Nduka Irabor, Eze Uche Dimgba, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, Dr. Ukpabi Kings, Tony Chiejina, Mrs. Sylva Esajere, Dan Agbese, Daniel Adegoke. Members of the senior management of the Sun Publishing Limited. Those who also attended the special service were the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Steve Nwosu, Executive Director, Special Duties, Tunji Bolaji, General Editor, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Saturday Editor, Bruce Malogo and General Manager, Corporate Services, Neta Nwosu.
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