Ah, Joe Is Gone!

On switching on my phone when I returned from Church yesterday, the first message I read was a cryptic remark on Mr. Joe Anatune: “Joe Why?” Trying to disabuse my mind  from what would ordinarily come to one first, I chose to believe that he might have taken one rash, condemnable decision as the new signage boss. But Joe  was always measured in his speech and acts, to take a sudden rash decision. As I was pondering on so many things, my wife  called me and said, “the big Joe is dead.” I was speechless for a while.

The last discussion with Joe was on phone. I had called to congratulate him on his appointment. I told him I was happy that he was made the Chief Executive of a critical agency, away from his first love: media. “You may even do better at Signage”, I quipped. I reminded him it was another opportunity to prove his mettle.

Joe had been mettlesome in all he did. As a Media Manager, he faced tremendous odds, but was able to conquer, because he learnt long ago not to allow political differences to affect personal relationships, nor drop people’s names falsely to be seen as active – well, he was not looking for job.  We shared  the same belief that it would be folly answering, reacting or commenting on some people’s reactions to our posts, especially when they are evident rivalry between mediocrities  and idiots seeking attention. Who has seen Joe “Chia waka” at any time?  Joe did not allow political differences affect cordiality of friendship.  

As a worthy tribute to his memory, Gov. Charles Soludo should not allow some minions around him to sound the tocsin of media war for their selfish ends. The paramount need in the state today is maximum support for Soludo to repay the maximum damage of the last eight years.

Joe was a regular visitor to Toga Fashion and had, at a point, promised to bring our Governor to Toga to see things for himself. “Val., with what you have here, any serious Government should reach out to you for collaboration on training of the youth”, he told me. 

Toga must have made over 100 clothes for him and different friends he normally came with. Nursing a spirit as progressive as Joe’s, one of his friends, in the bid to see Toga grow from strength to strength has gone to the extent of recommending tailors for Toga Fashion. Joe’s sense of universal brotherhood was infectious. Considering how good Joe was, one could go on and on reminiscing on the encounters with him. 

There was absolutely nothing modern in Joe. In him we saw the old qualities of loyalty, respect, affability, magnanimity, love, commitment to principle and understanding, which is sadly in short supply among the children of today that are guided by the relativity of morals. Nothing is scared to them!  Have you seen the opposition attack Joe? 

As Joe is no more, he has undoubtedly left for us what could be termed “code of good living.”

May his soul Rest In Peace!

– Valentine Obienyem writes from Awka, Anambra State.