Prof. Anslem Biakolo… Enormous Asset Heads to Conclave of Celestials
As the body of erudite scholar, Prof. Emevwo Anselm Biakolo who died recently was interred in country home in Warri, Delta State, one of his colleagues, Prof. James Tsaaor offers a tribute. Excerpt:
TODAY, Emeritus Professor Emevwo Anselm Biakolo, my teacher, adviser, mentor, dean, colleague, friend, cheerleader, and poet, academic, scholar, journalist, columnist, administrator, public intellectual, marriage counselor and family therapist is being committed to earth in his natal home, Warri, Delta State.
Prof. Biakolo is a man of many parts and an enormous asset to family life, the academia, scholarship, public policy, media practice and communication industry. His passing is indeed a huge loss to humanity, not only in Nigeria but globally.
I mourn him as a mentor, colleague and friend who epitomised the best of humanity with his humaneness, contagious humour, valour, moral flavour and heroic virtue, power of erudition and persuasive rhetoric which helped to build human beings, families and institutions that will surely outlive him and endure as his enviable legacies.
As he returns to his maker and the terminal rite of dust to dust, and ashes to ashes is being performed, it’s a sober and traumatic moment that reminds all of us about our mortality and the transience of our sojourn in this vale of tears.
Prof. Biakolo positively impacted persons, families, media, society and institutions in Nigeria, Botswana, South Africa, Europe and America. Today that positive impact is the only testament that can, and shall speak for him.
Dear Prof, as you journey to the celestial realms which is the beneficiary of our loss, may the portals of heaven be laid wide open to you. May the vast company of angels, saints and all the hosts of heaven herald you into the glorious presence of God’s divine Majesty and may the Christ crown you with a royal golden diadem.
May you reunite with your beloved spouse, Dr. Margaret, elder brother, Professor Anthony and all the faithful departed to sing an eternal chorus to the Holy Trinity in the maternal company of the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God as you await our arrival. We count on the efficacious power of your prayers as your apotheosis confers on you the status of a celestial ancestor.
Dear Professor, may you mark the pathway to heaven with the lush leaves of love until we travel home too to meet in that conclave where every tear will be wiped away and every sorrow turned into blissful joy. There what only matters is to contemplate God’s splendid vision and sing his eternal praises.
Rest in the bosom of the Lord, our inimitable Emeritus Professor Emevwo Anselm Biakolo!
