Over the years, the problem of unemployment has continued to pose a hard nut to crack, to both the present and past administrations in this country. 

With each passing year, this ugly trend rather than abating, has continued to escalate, despite several assurances by the government to tackle it.

The harsh economic realities of our time, occasioned by the global economic melt down, which have drastically reduced the purchasing power of the naira, have equally made this demand expedient.

According to credible statistics, unemployment rate has skyrocketed from 23.1% in 2018, to the present 27.1% in 2020. This implies that a total of over 21.7 million Nigerians have remained unemployed. What a sad commentary!

Most times, we travel far away in the elusive search for the solution to our self-inflicted problems. But unknown to us, the solution is right there with us, staring us in the face and yearning for utilisation.

It does not require a necromantic practice to understand that the spate of armed robbery, kidnapping, militancy, terrorism, oil bunkering, ritual killings, and other social vices which have bedevilled this nation, could be traced to joblessness, hunger and frustration. 

Come to think of it, how can someone who is gainfully employed in any organisation have the time to think of such suicidal criminality?

 It is said that an idle mind is the devil's workshop, while a hungry man is not only an angry man, but also a very dangerous person.

It therefore goes without saying, that if the government provides jobs for our teeming youths, and pay monthly stipends to those who are yet to be employed, then the spate of crimes and criminality in our country would have been reduced to its barest minimum, and Nigeria a better place for us all.

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.