On Thursday, January 20, 2012, precisely seven years ago, Enenche Akogwu, the famous Channel TV reporter feel to the bullet of the angry Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnati Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram in the volatile city of Kano.
Enenche, the down-to-earth newsman fell down by the fray bullet of the dreaded Boko Haram foot soldiers, during the multiple attacks orchestrated by the outlawed sect at strategic security outfits in Kano.
The young chap, who doubled as reporter and cameraman for Channels Television in Kano, was shot at close range while he was reporting the unveiling pandemonium at Farm Center police station.
A picture of the deceased, showing him kitted with PRESS written boldly on his chest, went viral on Facebook and several blogs.
He went to do what he loved doing, only to be killed by some cowards masquerading under the guise of religion to perpetrate evil and unleash terror on the land.
He wanted the world to see the cruelty and terrorism that have taken over the streets
of his beloved nation, not knowing that death was lurking behind through the infamous sect that is currently tearing the peaceful co-existence of this entity called Nigeria apart.
What on earth would make a right thinking man or group dare to take another man’s life? Pure madness!
The late Akogwu until his sudden termination was still a bachelor, the first son of his widowed mother and the family’s breadwinner.
Five years after his sudden transition, lips are now sealed. The widow mum is abandoned, biting teeth and nose in the ancient city of Orido, Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State.
No one cares to know how the family is faring. What a nation.
Report had it that the Senate President David Mark gave a cheque N500, 000 to Channels TV to give the family, how did the money go? This question is still yet to be answered.
Come to think of it, what is N500, 000 when Enenche left with the promise of building a house for mum. What money is equal to Enenche’s promises for his family and the entire Idoma nation.
It is equally important fact that the family be hugely compensated. The deceased was the breadwinner of his family before his life was cut short by Boko Haram’s bullets.
As it is said, what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander, if Borno State Government could pay N100m as compensation to the family of Mohammed Yusuf, the late Boko Haram leader, it is also appropriate that the family of Akogwu Abah Ododa be compensated. This is a challenge to Channels Television and the Kano State government on whose soil the youthful Akogwu’s blood was shed.
The widow mum, Mrs. Agnes Akogwu had earlier said that the death of her 32-year-old son, who was gruesomely murdered barely two years after his father’s demise, is a big blow not only to the family but his entire community.
She thus, appealed to the government and Channel’s TV not to allow his son’s name die but immortalize his good works and courageous deeds in the filed if journalism.
But sadly, two year after; Enenche died, his name died too.
I expected Enenche Akogwu to be immortalized. I expected NUJ to name a centre after him or probably set up a Courage Reporting Award or a fund organization for Crisis Reporting but I never knew I was out of the moon.
How long would the blood innocent Nigerians continue to flow on the street?
Although the burial of Enenche Akogwu is over, the wound and havoc caused by the sting of death, courtesy of the insurgency of the demon incarnates called Boko Haram, shall forever remain fresh in our memories.
Five years after, though many have forgotten you; but as a friend, colleague and brother who we both drank from same river, I can’t throw him into the trash bin.
Oyine, you would be remembered for bravery and courage. You died doing what you loved doing… that’s the spirit of patriotism, resilience and boldness you displayed in the face of wickedness and murder.
But you never lived to report back to a channels TV newsdesk. Sad!
You returned back to the people of Ai Odo Otukpa, Ogbadibo Local government of Benue in a casket after spending your last Christmas with them in a hall.
As I end this piece with tears in my eyes, I leave you with words of wisdom from the Good Book: “A nation will prosper when its ruler is mature, and its leaders don’t party too much.” Ecclesiastes. 10:17 (Contemporary English Version)
Sleep tight brother.
We see tomorrow, when we shall see up there to interview the author and finisher of our faith.
