By Sylvester Udemezue
Admitted to the largest Bar in Africa in 1991, Okey I. Anichebe was the first lawyer to come from Umulokpa Town, just as Christopher Alexander Sapara Williams was the first lawyer in Nigeria. Accordingly, Okey Anichebe was a pioneer of the legal profession in Umulokpa
He had opened the door and led the way for Umulokpa’s entry into the law profession; we then followed the path he opened, into the legal profession, a peregrination we do not regret.
Learned senior, Okey was a top-notch in Zenith Bank’s Legal Department.
I must say that unknown to many, Mr Okey Anichebe had contributed a lot to my growth in one special way: just as our views and opinions are different in the same way our faces are different, we enrich our reservoir of knowledge and wisdom when we are treated to different sides of every arguments and issues. On a great deal of a lot of issues, Mr Anichebe and I held different opinions – i. e., disagreed, yes, we did – which I think was normal because being on different sides of discussions gave me an opportunity to learn a lot; holding different opinions encouraged me to consistently and persistently be on research and objective verification of all information available to me, and of all my positions on every and all such subjects, all towards, in search of, and in promotion of, truth. Such consistent efforts at research and verification increased the horizons of my knowledge and wisdom which wouldn’t have been possible if I did not have someone who never agreed with me nor ever believed in me.
Truth is, speaking generally, there’s hardly anything anyone can learn from anyone else who always agrees with one, but from one with whom one always disagree. A philosopher once said that “The greatest learning comes from those who challenge your assumptions”. Thus, he who has learned to disagree without being disagreeable has discovered the most valuable secret of a diplomat. As Linus Pauling put it, “The only way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas….”. Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate. Great leaders are those who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand. Accordingly, as Robert Jones Jr. wrote, “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” Thank you, learned senior, sir; you’ve played your part according to your convictions. Unfortunately, death struck without notice to cut short a huge voice. Sad!
An unfortunate, sudden death! Death is a certainty, an inevitable realization, the only thing that we know will befall us. Indeed, just like birth, aging and sickness, death too is an inescapable reality of life. This emphasizes its certainty and undeniable nature, and encourages people to cherish life by acknowledging that death will eventually end the life we live. However, as Laura Bohannan’s said, “We all owe life a death, an inevitable death which we can meet. But the unnecessary death that wastes life denies all consolation.” In my opinion, the present death is a huge tragedy to us all – tragic to Enugu-na-Uwani, to Akiyi-Umulokpa, to Uzo-Uwani, to Enugu State, and to Nigeria. We have lost a notable figure. Unfortunate!
Dear Mr Okey I. Anichebe, LL.M, Barrister and Solicitor of Supreme Court of Nigeria, I would miss my elder brother and a great lawyer. Sir, rest in peace in the Lord’s exalted bosom. Amen🙏
Respectfully,
§¢µð𝓮̂𝓶𝓮̂𝔃µ𝓮̂
Sylvester Udemezue (udems),
Legal Adviser,
Akiyi-Umulokpa Town Union (ATU).
(02 April 2025)
