By Mark Columbus Orgu

And King David lamented glory of Israel is slain upon the high place, how are the mighty fallen, tell it not in Gath, publish it in the street of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph”.

This was when the news came to him that the could hands of death had sheathedSaul like wind.

When the news of the demise of the First Clerk, House of Representatives in Nigeria, Chief Benjamin Olinmah broke out, it was like a dream to the family- that an ‘Iroko tree” has fallen- a man they loved, admired with much respect is no more. A man who possessed the four chief virtues of life;
wisdom, justice, fortitude, and temperance–These good qualities made him to excel and became resourceful and courageous to national duty and family life. His epitaph of life illuminated a profound truth that challenges us to set aside our grief of season and move forward with more determination and well focused life style.

As first Clerk, House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olinmah never enriched or made himself to be corrupted but was committed to rendering selfless service to our father land. He was such a resourceful noble man of principles who loved his country
and family.

He believed that humans are not only mortals but shadows and dust, therefore need not struggle for earthly things that would not last. This made him to be contented and built a small house in his
own town, Asaba, and lived quietly in his satellite town close residence, Lagos, trained his children and devoted his life to the service of God until death smiled at him.

I remember those days he used to visit the late Papa OdogwuUdobi with his small leather bag (where he kept money) and a round black cap, he will gist and laugh with Papa Udobi, saying politicians have destroyed this country and during our time, we never had of this type of leaders
who only think of themselves.

As you will be remember today by your lovely children and family, Lets us all know that death is never the end but every living creature must experience it. No wonder Martin Luther King Jr. in his
autobiography, edited by Clayborne Carson noted;‘death comes to every individual.’ He further said: ‘There is an amazing democracy about death. It is not an aristocracy for some people, but a democracy for all people. King dies, beggars die, rich men die and poor men die; old people die and young people die, death comes to the innocent and it comes to the guilty. Death is the irreducible common denominator of all men. I hope you can find consolation from Christianity’s affirmation that death is not the end’.

Death is not a period that ends the great sentence of life, but a comma that punctuates it to more lofty significance. Death is not a blind alley that leads the human race into a state of nothingness, but an open door which leads man into life eternal”. Let this be your darling faith, this great invincible surmise, be your sustaining power on this Remembrance Day.

Like I did say in my previous write-up (tribute) that death is an individual experience and no matter how much empathy we have mustered in the last couple of days, we cannot feel it in the same way a wife, husband, children, relatives and friends may feel it, yet the Holy book tells us to give thanks to the All-Knowing God because He alone knows the reasons-for allowing both the good and bad to die.

Chief Olinmah was a worthy man whose life was characterized by both fortunes and challenges. He understood his purpose of existence-both life and death; in fact he was a bible many read.

Yes, death is a blessing, not a curse if only we knew the purpose of life and act or dance towards it. This was one of the attributes that kept the clerk. He proved himself beyond human reasoning and left indelible mark on the sand of time-a legacy of posterity.

Chief Olinmah offered himself the true volition of selfless service to our
dear nation.

Reflecting more on the life of this national patriot, the children should also understand that their father lived a good life and recorded his name in the country’s history book as the First Clerk of
the House.

Meanwhile, Robbins Cruise reveals to us that all men and women must die no matter how big or small, but what matters is how we live our lives and die. Chief Olinmah lived a fulfilled life, a life
he enjoyed and made a pact. He was loved because he was forthright, blunt, and principle, very diligent and courageous. A genius and bright morning star to his family. As he is being remembered today, let us keep faith with the Maker of all things.

A story was told of a gardener who planted a mixture of beautiful flowers in his garden. The plant-flower and flowers bloom. Admirably, looking at the beautiful flower, the gardener is attracted to a number of the flowers to decorate his living room and enjoy the scent coming from the flowers. He decides to plunk any one any time he wishes or wants. Like the gardener, the Giver of life plants human beings in His early garden. It is His decision when, how and why to plunk any of the
scent-able and beautiful flowers.

And that is why in the wisdom of our ancestors tells us that the tree that is without blemish does not last longer in the forest. Therefore it would be a mystery to see a tree ask the tree-cutter, why are you doing this to me. Chief Olinmah was a beautiful flower and bible that will ever remain in our hearts.

He was without blemish in the discharge of his national assignment-very devoted and industrious in all capacity. This gave him fortunes, honours and commendations. For instance, he was awarded a certificate of recognition by the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, for meritorious inputs to the promotion of international understanding in June 1983.

And in 1985, got a letter of commendation from the head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria and Commander –in- chief of Armed Forces for contribution to the 38th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland on May 6, 1985.