There was a vacancy in Heaven for a Master of Ceremonies and Ikenna Ndaguba MFR was recruited.

No other title other than ‘Onwa’ (literally ‘The Moon’) would have better captured the essence of a man who brought laughter, mirth and illumination to others and his environment.

His distinct mellifluous voice was deployed vigorously along with his physical presence, to convey moods and interpret situations. He was the essential Communicator-in-Chief who moulded every event according to his image.

Onwa always left deep impressions. His life had no boundaries and he traversed this mortal plane as a single seamless experience knowing neither age, tribe, creed nor gender otherwise how dare I suggest friendship with this colossus who defined and dominated the art of communicating in his generation.

Late Nduaguba

Generous in spirit and in every other way, jolly, epicurean in taste, urbane, contemporary yet with a keen sense of history, modern yet traditional, Onwa never wasted words. He used them with passion, precision and exactitude to control situations to his end. Language to him (whether his native Obikporo dialect or English) was to be woven into a lively colourful tapestry of his milieu, of his time and clime

The Moon does not die, it sets.

Onwa has set on this portal to shine forever in Heaven.

We do not grieve over him because we remember him always with smiles and laughter. That was his wish, that was his mission; to bring laughter to all which he did with relish. He lives in every heart that knew him.

Ikenna Ndaguba was a metaphor for quality, for quintessence, for nobility. To him choices were limited. You either carried out an assigned task well or you did not. There was no midway. The only way is hard-work, stretching ones endowments to the very limits, and excellence.

Farewell, Uncle, friend, in-Law, critic, supporter, farewell to the melodious, greeting ‘Victor Ludorum’. You lived life on your terms and translated to eternity when you must, like every mortal must.

You have earned your rest in Paradise.

*Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba OFR, SAN, is the Senate Leader.