[dropcap]I[/dropcap] can’t find the words to describe how I feel.
From the moment I confirmed his passing on phone with his personal assistant, Ipi, sorrow filled my heart, a sorrow that is deep and personal.
Oronto Douglas was my friend, then, he began to call me his sister. I began to call him brother, too.
I was asked to write a tribute… and for a person of letters, it should have been considered a done deal. But this one… writing about the special person who Oronto Douglas was… I can’t bring myself to do it. It is just too soon for me.
This is what I can say for now. Oronto was an all-together good person – a divine combination of kindness, humility, service, courage, purpose, vision, and toughness; and his death hurts, it hurts me so bad.
Oronto Douglas was a splendid man, of great intellect and a big heart. The character of the life he lived might be summed up in a few words – he was sincere, he was honest, he was kind, he was courageous, he was fiercely loyal, he was industrious, he was self-sacrificing, and he was cultured.
His passing is an enormous loss to his family, to his friends, to Nigeria, to the Earth.
As Christians, we believe that God has a plan for us all. This one, as it relates to taking Oronto away from us, leaving us in deep sorrow; me, grieving beyond measure… it is just too hard to accept.
May the Almighty God, the gracious God, Jehovah Most High receive Oronto Natei Douglas home and stretch out His hands of Love and cover his wife, Tari and children and comfort the rest of his family and friends.
Oronto Douglas will never be forgotten. He just can’t.
*Teardrops*
Aziza Uko is Executive Editor of The Trent. She is also Chief Executive of Ziza Group, a company she founded in 2009. She is award winning graduate of marketing and a marketing communications professional with over 16 years post graduation experience. She is a writer, editor, and music lover. She can be reached on email HERE, on Twitter at @azizauko, and Facebook HERE.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
