What B. M. Wifa Told Me Before He Died – Rufus Godwins
What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. But what we have done for others and the world remains. And, it is immortal!
Those are the immortal words of American lawyer, Albert Pike, born December 29, 1808 and died April 2, 1891.
These words were reechoed by Barrister Rufus Godwins, Rivers State Head of Service (HOS) on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Day of Tributes/Service of Songs in honour of Sir Barinua Moses Wifa, OFR, SAN, DSSRS, KJW, JP who died November 7, 2020 and would be committed to mother earth on June 26, 2021 at his home town, Kono in Khana Local Government Area of the State.
Barrister Rufus Godwins, who was at the event in dual capacity, standing in for Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and, for himself, being one of the ‘professional sons’ of the late legal icon, could not shirk from his duty of paying glowing tributes to the man he fondly called Uncle B.M. during his lifetime.
The Head of Service began by requesting a standing ovation for a young soloist, Alexius Mbata who prior to his speech, delivered a classical piece in Spanish, a performance that was well applauded by the audience and shook the gigantic auditorium to its foundation!
He could not hide his admiration for Mbata who although physically challenged, but was immensely gifted with a superlative voice that eclipsed any shortcoming.
Godwins, a flawless speaker of the Spanish language declared that Mbata had performed one of the most difficult Spanish pieces, very brilliantly, effortlessly and so flawlessly.
“You have done so well, I listened to every word of that classical music and I can only say to you in Spanish: Gracias Y Que Dios TeBendiga. It means in English: Thank you and God bless you”, he said and described Mbata’s performance as highly emotional and, according to him, only the old school members in the house would understand the depth of what the young man did.
The Head of Service went on to describe the late Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as a great man with a courageous voice, who loved his country very passionately. He then revealed a WhatsApp chat which, according to him, he had with the late Wifa, five days to his death on Saturday, November 7, 2020.
Shortly after the news of his demise filtered into him, Godwins said he had to quickly look at the WhatsApp chats he had with the deceased before his demise. Seeking the kind permission of the widow, Barrister (Mrs.) Cecilia Lebia Wifa and daughter, Dr. Mrs. Anita Nubarido Wifa Oweredaba to read out the chats, he noted that even in death the deceased continues to condemn injustice in the country.
“I was privileged to be communicating with him five days to his death. I was going through my chats with him and I was shocked at how alert, how fresh and how mentally vigilant he was. With your kind permission (widow and daughter), I will be reading from my device for the first time, to show you what a great man, what a nationalist and a patriot, Uncle B.M. Wifa was”, he said.
As he picked up his phone device and scrolled up the last chat with Wifa, the Head of Service said the late nationalist who had over 12 books, articles and selected poems in his kitty, called him by his initials ‘RM’, a situation that defined how close they were.
“RM good morning. The last post you sent to me dealing with the continuing sociopolitical and economic problem called neo-colonialism that causes underdevelopment of Africa. The other two posts, if you can recall talked about the problem of political injustice in Nigeria. North/South, Majority/Minority syndrome in Nigerian politics”, he read the words of the late Wifa, adding that he was shocked at how alert, fresh and mentally vigilant he expressed himself.
He went on that Wifa pointed out that these problems may remain as long as Nigeria existed. He recalled that Wifa even pointed to the End Sars protest, which according to the deceased, was aimed at confronting ‘the political hegemony of the North with the hope of wresting political power from the North, for the benefit of the South.
He went on to read the chat, “The problem I have, and it’s a great disservice, is that the opposition is not a coherent, cohesive body with a clear leadership mantra. What we have unfortunately is a community of unassailable groups whose ideological administrations, hopes, aspirations are without a well-defined leadership”.
The WhatsApp chat ended: “They lack the element of speaking truth to power. Maybe when God will cause His miracles and Nigeria disintegrates, God forbid, then a new Nigeria will emerge. Until then, we will continue to exercise our right to free speech”.
“I cried when I went through this. This is a man who was sick and was following every event. He will call me very late in the night and we will chat on WhatsApp till 1a.m. I will say ‘Uncle, you need to sleep’. He will say, ‘I beg, I want to talk with you’. We did this until 2nd of November, 2020”, Godwins said, fighting back tears.
“But Governor Wike does not break his promise to anybody. Even when I was not aware, he was fully involved in all the processes about the last days of the late icon, he still came out boldly
“For, us, our generation, he engendered undangered generation. Not
generation cut off the road to the future, where the youths are uncertain of where they are going”.
Sad, Wifa Didn’t Live To Use The Bori-Kono Road – Gov Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has expressed regret that the late elder statesman, Sir (Barr) Barinua Moses Wifa, did not live to see the completion of the Saakpenwa/Bori/Kono road project, which he personally promised the demised Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Speaking while paying tribute to the late legal luminary at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt on Saturday, the governor said the extension of the Saakpenwa/Bori Road to Kono was one of the many promises he made to Wifa whom he admired greatly during his lifetime.
“For most Nigerian politicians who make promises, the death of Uncle B would have been the end of that promise”, he said.
Represented at the event by Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins, the governor acknowledged that Wifa at many interactions with him never failed to buttress the importance of the project and its benefit to Kono people and Ogoni in general.
Governor Wike recalled that he was in Kono, the birth place of late B.M. Wifa, the great illustrious son of Ogoni, to flag off the remaining part of the Bori-Kono Road, saying that his life on earth was something to treasure.
Noting that the deceased dedicated a greater part of his life fighting for justice and equity. “Even as we sit down here, he is aware of what is going on and they will continue to agitate in his mind because he was not one who keeps silent, even at the point of illness. We will continue to appreciate the worth of such a man”, he said.
Governor Wike went on: “At a point when great men, solid men, valiant men, courageous men are in short supply, Uncle B.M. stood as a colossus and truly continued to
engender issues of justice. He is ever interested in this North/South dichotomy and I hope that intellectuals and young men he left behind to man his chambers, Eze Alikor, for instance would not let him down”.
The governor urged members of the Wifa family to be strong, steadfast and look up to God the way the late Wifa did, adding, “You have to be like Uncle B.M. He was ever predictable. It cannot be in doubt, whether at the Bar or anywhere, where he will stand. To sum it all, Uncle B.M. will be greatly missed, not only at the Bar, or the circle of the inner Bar, not only within this profession but in the state. Continue to speak his voice unambiguously”.
M. Wifa Will Be Immortalized – Rt Hon Dekor
The lawmaker representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in House of Representatives, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, has expressed conviction Rivers State government will immortalize late Chief B. M. Wifa for enormous contributions in his lifetime.
The federal lawmaker who spoke in an interview on day of tributes for the late legal icon said he made contributions to the state and country.
Rt Hon Dekor said: “I believe very sincerely that he will be immortalized. I believe he will be immortalized. It’s not about talking about it. His contributions are enormous so definitely he will be immortalized”.
He said it was difficult talking about the late legal icon and described him as symbol of hardwork, humility and doggedness saying that he was a great man.
He also said the late legal icon was first to become Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in Ogoniland and distinguished himself.
He said he also distinguished himself in community life and almost everything he engaged in.
Talking about his contributions, the lawmaker said: “He was very great a man. He was a legal colossus. He’s a man who made so much contribution to this country and to law practice in this country”.
He further said: “He set standards within the Ministry of Justice as Attorney-General and also at the national level virtually every discourse that had to do with law practice he’s always involved. So Nigerians and Nigeria will miss him. The Ogonis will miss him particularly and those of us from Khana Local Government will miss him greatly”.
When reminded the late legal icon believed leadership in the country was not at its best the federal lawmaker said that he was right leadership was not at its best in the country.
He however said there was room for improvement and expressed hope leadership would improve.
He said everyone came to celebrate him because he deserved celebration and urged up-and-coming legal practitioners in the state and country to take after him and be committed.
Rt Hon Dekor offered his condolences to the immediate family saying while everyone would miss him, they should celebrate him and be excited and proud to have had him and associated with him.
For the family, the wife, the daughter and every other member of the family my heart goes out to them, he said.
The day of tributes was held on Saturday at Obi Wali International Convention Centre. He was aged 84.
Many Will Miss Him – Prof. Briggs
A former Vice-Chancellor of University of Port-Harcourt, Prof. Nimi Briggs, has said many would miss late Sir B. M. Wifa saying he was a good man in his lifetime.
He said he was all things to all men saying he felt sorry for his death for many reasons.
He was speaking in an interview on day of tributes for the late legal icon at Obi Wali International Convention Centre.
Prof. Briggs said: “He was good to all persons he came across. To what extent we have utilized our own lives in improving the lives of others that is what I think he lived for and I will miss him. I’m sure many will miss him”.
He said although he was not a lawyer to know extent of his contribution to legal practice he was aware that he contributed tremendously to the country’s 1999 Constitution.
He said being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria alone showed the late legal icon made tremendous contribution to legal profession.
He said he lived a life which was fantastic saying he was one of those deeply respected in legal profession.
The former vice-chancellor said: “I do know that I do have a lot of lawyers as friends and as relations. I do know that he’s one of those they respect deeply and give sincere respect”.
He also said he was respected for quality of his professionalism saying that he doffed his hat for him in that regard.
Prof. Briggs said: “The lawyers all know themselves and when you ask them they tell you who is who in the profession. I do know that he’s one of those they count”.
When reminded the late legal icon believed leadership was lacking in the country the former vice-chancellor said he also believed, like the late legal icon, that leadership was tremendously lacking in the country.
He said: “Leadership is lacking tremendously in this country. I personally believe so that Nigeria wouldn’t be where it is now if we had the appropriate leadership over these years. Being the cerebral man that he was I’m not surprised that he would believe that way because that is the correct position of the problem of our country that we do lack the leadership that should lead the nation as endowed as we are in Nigeria and sadly we have groped from one corner to the other not making much of a progress”.
But he expressed hope that right leadership would come and govern properly to bring progress.
He said he would not dictate to those in authority on need to immortalize him.
His Legacies Will Stand Test Of Time – Khana LGA Boss
The Chairman of Khana Local Government, Dr. Thomas Bariere, has said legacies of late legal icon, Sir B.M. Wifa, will stand test of time.
He described him as an icon and elder statesman.
He spoke in an interview on day of tributes for the late legal icon saying it was because of his status everyone came to attend the day of tributes.
The council boss said: “Elder Barinua Moses Wifa until his death has been an icon, an idol, an elder statesman. He has been a mentor to a lot of us from Kono, Khana, Rivers and beyond. His legacies are there and will continue to stand the test of time”.
He said that his contributions to the state and country were enormous saying his legacies would remain in people’s memory.
When reminded the late legal icon believed leadership needed to be improved upon the council boss said he agreed leadership needed to be improved upon.
He said: “Leadership needs to be improved upon which is why people’s expectations are always changing. You know, the society keeps evolving, needs keep changing and so it is expected leadership should also be structured in a manner that meets the expectations of the people which is why you can see the process of bringing up candidates to run elections are beginning to change. Political parties have become very serious about candidates they field for elections considering that competence is needed and the people are beginning to hold their leaders accountable for their actions”.
He further said: “As Chairman of Khana Local Government Council I am conscious of the fact that when I’ve finished my tenure I’d be made to account for the period within which I have been chairman. Moreso the campaign promises we made are things that we would be called upon some day to give account of so we are careful and we are committed to ensuring that we are able to match our words with action”.
He said he assured the people his government would do everything within reach to ensure it provides good governance.
He said he also agreed with the late legal icon there should be justice saying “justice means everything”.
He said justice was about being fair to everyone and not “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.
The council boss said: “Late B.M. Wifa believed in justice and what that means is that as chairman of Khana Local Government Council it is important that we put up policies and programmes where fairness and equity will be the hallmark”.
The day of tributes for the late legal icon held at Obi Wali International Convention Centre.
He was aged 84.
I Would Keep With Me My Father’s Legacies – Dr (Mrs) Anita Nubarido Wifa Oweredaba
The surviving daughter and only child of late legal icon, Sir B.M. Wifa (SAN), Dr (Mrs) Anita Nubarido Wifa Oweredaba, has said she would keep with her legacies left behind by her father.
Speaking in an emotional voice during an interview on day of tributes, the daughter of the late legal icon recalled she had personal relationship with him.
She also added he groomed her to become who she is.
Asked what she would keep as part of his legacies, she said: “Hardwork, don’t stop striving to be the best at what you are, justice, be patient with people, be kind and make sure my life is meaningful and purposeful”.
She said she had many fond memories of him saying that he loved to sing hymns, eat good food and have people around him and entertain them adding he would thank God for any small reason he had to do so.
She said outside of everything he was he was simply her father saying words were inadequate to describe him.
Dr (Mrs) Anita Wifa Oweredaba said: “For me it’s more of my personal relationship with him because outside of everything he was he was just simply my father. He was the one that would make sure I do my homework. He was the one that would make sure I get everything that I wanted. He was the one that would pray with me”.
She said he also shared her happy and sad moments saying he made her become the woman she is.
He Was A Father To Me – Larry Wifa
A younger brother of late legal icon, Sir B.M. Wifa, has said he was like a father and had helped him in life.
Larry Wifa who is of same father as the late legal icon said he was also his role model.
He spoke in an interview on day of tributes for the late legal icon on Saturday.
Wifa said: “He was a father to me because I am his first human investment. He trained me. I lived with him until he got married and I was in the house until I had to move out to pursue other life ambitions. He was my role model. He disciplined me when necessary. He was a very strict disciplinarian. He wanted me to be the best that I could and he lived his life in exemplary fashion”.
He said the late legal icon was people’s man.
He also said he wanted the best for the country adding he was contented with role he played in society.
He also said everyone who came across him had good thing to say.
Wifa said: “He was a philanthropist to a very good degree. Those he helped he didn’t have to help them but he helped them because he felt the need to for the sake of humanity”.
He also said he wanted justice and better society.
He said: “His devotion to public life and the way he served this state under Oyakhilome was exemplary”.
He said he would take with him legacy of sense of purpose, to believe in oneself and never give up.
He said he also made him feel the need to live by example.
