BY SOLOMON NWOKE

TRIBUTE
OUR hearts are broken by the passing of Dee (Uncle) Pini Jason, a legendary Nigerian journalist. We have lost a tireless advocate of social justice, whose role on the public stage will always be missed. I heard about the sad event on Saturday morning, May 4, 2013 from my elder brother, Emmanuel, who called from his Abuja base. Like most people, I was sent into a state of  rude shock with many questions bothering my mind relative to the actual cause of his death.

My Uncle, Dee Jason (Chief Pini Jason Onyegbadue) as he was fondly called by family members and his younger relatives, was a towering figure, a personality not only in Nigeria, but also in the world of journalism. He was independent, fair, fiercely patriotic, brave and roaring with the desire and rage for socio-economic and political justice; a journalist, a classic essayist, humourist and precision story-teller, particularly, as developing events relate to the human condition and prevailing social order.

His legacy was rooted in the conviction that giving up in the fight to right the wrongs of our beloved country was never an option. Most of us admired the courage with which he battled injustice, especially when he employed tools dripping with provocative words and calling for systemic change which was enough to shame even the most timid into action.

*Pini Jason

Indeed, the void created by his death will be felt not only by our immediate family and relatives, but also by the peace-loving; justice and democracy-seeking people of Nigeria and journalism profession in particular. Dee Jason, was a man of courage, principle and commitment to the cause of justice. He was good and humane; lived and led an exemplary and useful life and contributed immensely to the course of making our country a better place to live.

Dee Jason, I have not stopped crying since you took your sudden exit that ill-fated Saturday. I still have not come to terms that you’re gone. You touched so many lives positively and made life meaningful to them. I am one of the many you touched when life was miserable. I have not forgotten how you encouraged and mentored me in Journalism when I was hopeless; the role you played to save my life when renal dysfunction almost took it in 2004. In 1996, you brought me to Vanguard. I was told how you wept bitterly by my hospital bed for fear that I would die. You paid all my hospital bills.

Oh death! You are so cruel and dastardly that you laid your wicked fingers and took my beloved uncle away. I regretted not being able to speak with you for the last time as I was away on official duty in Morocco. All I have now are the memories of you from childhood until your last days. Still remembering those early days  when mama would prepare a special delicacy, packaged in a basket and sent me and my elder sister, Joy, to deliver to you at your popular 115  Ijesha road residence as we lived in the next street; 12, Shofolahan Street, Itire, Lagos.

Dee, I can only take solace knowing that you are resting in the bosom of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As a loving and caring uncle who was always there to provide counsel, I will miss your smiles and jokes about No. 11 Ururu Road, Amaudi Ovurukwu, (my village), and your ‘contagious’ laughter.  Dee Jason, you were a special uncle, father and a blessing to every member of the family. The family is comforted because you are with the heavenly Father and as such in the safest hands.

Leadership role
As your native name, Okwuadighi, which means peace or  peace keeper, your leadership, both in our family and even in our nation, through your write-ups, was worthy of emulation.  I have not also forgotten your leadership role whenever there was a problem in the family because you always ensured there was peace. You meant so many positive things to all of Onyegbadue’s family and beyond. The peace you sought to bring about was not as the world gives; it was peace from God. It was the kind of peace endured.

Dee, you promised to bring all of Onyegbadue’s family grand and great grand children together this December, for us to familiarize with ourselves as the family  is growing bigger; this you never lived to actualize and today unwittingly, your passing on has brought that to bear. We have gathered to bid you farewell.  May your soul  rest in perfect peace as your legacies live on to inspire the generation  yet to come to continue from where you stopped.