The ear-shattering news of the sudden demise of the late Rev. Canon Ejikeme Ezenwome, which could best be described as another eclipse of the sun, was the rudest shock I have received in recent times.

To say that I was deeply shocked, devastated, mystified and thrown into a state of schizophrenia, would be an understatement.

The late vibrant and flamboyant cleric was the immediate past Vicar at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Garriki Enugu where I worship.

He was a priest that I respected so much for multifarious reasons. His expository analysis of the scriptures whenever he mounted the pulpit was astounding. 

His inimitable phonetics (like a well trained radio broadcaster), coupled with his elegant diction, eloquence and mastery of the English language were unassailable.

His juicy hypothesis backed with relevant scriptures, and garnished with a robust sense of humour, which he brought to bear as he delivered his inspirational messages, could give a long lasting relief to someone suffering from sleeping sickness!

Suffice it to say that there is hardly any hymn in the Ancient and Modern, which the late iconic cleric could not sing some stanzas (off hand), using his mellifluous deep bass to add melody to it, including other songs!

Indeed, once again, I've come to realize that the beautiful things on this planet earth are simply transient. We are however consoled by the scriptures in the book of Isaiah 57:1-2.

While bidding you farewell as you embark on this celestial journey to meet your creator, I pray God to grant your gentle soul eternal repose in His bosom, in addition to extending fortitude to all those you left behind, to bear the irreparable loss. 

Adiue, our Canon!

Adiue, the indefatigable colossus, in the Lord's vineyard!

Adiue, our Big Daddy!

And may the angels of God usher you into His paradise, until we meet on the resurrection morning to part no more.

As a writer, at times my wandering mind begins to conjecture some thoughts of absurdities, or near impossibilities. Most times, I even begin to be scared of the possible manifestation of such bizarre thoughts.

One of these thoughts which has just flashed in came as a question. And I would like to share it here, if only to unburden my heart.

If you were a priest, and someone came to you to confess that he was responsible for the assassination of a prominent member of the society, whose death attracted public condemnation and sympathy, how would you handle the issue?

As the priest, would you conceal the secret and tell him/her, "Go, your sin has been forgiven, but sin no more," as characteristic of most priests? 

Or, would you pretend to go and ease yourself, and in the process, quietly alert the appropriate security agency for necessary action?

Ndigbo would liken this apparent state of quandary to "Otito toro nwa ngwere n'isi." This simply means; a red boil on the delicate head of a lizard. 

If you try to pop the boil to get rid of the pus, the lizard might die in the process. And if you decide to leave the boil to avert the fatality, the lizard might as well die from the excruciating pain of the pus.

So, what's your opinion.