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By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
It is usually a thing of shock to come into consciousness that the phenomenon called death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustains every mortal. Watching a peaceful death of a human being reminds us of a failing star, one of a million lights in a vast sky that flares up for a brief moment only to disappear into the endless night forever.
Each time I reflect deeply, I contemplate the transient nature of human life and I realized that from the beginning to end, life is impermanent like an illusion. We have not heard of anyone who lived ten thousand years. How fleeting is a lifetime.
On Saturday the 20th of February 2021, a golden heart stopped beating as Chief P S Aduku-Aluyor went to be with the Lord after 88 years of sojourn on earth.
Born to the great and famous family of Osikhuemeh in Ikpoko-Ivioghe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, attended primary, modern schools and later joined the E-Department of the Nigerian Police Force and later redeployed to National Security Organization (NSO), a special unit of the Nigerian Police Force now known as Department of State Security (DSS).
Late Chief Aduku-Aluyor, due to his resilience, hard work, dedication to service and outstanding performance, he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and made to lead the NSO division as at that time in Auchi.
He was later transferred to Enugu State where he served as Police Aid De Camp (ADC) to the then Military Administrator, UkpabiAsika. Based on his meritorious service, he was again promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP), after his last promotion of DSP, the position he held until his retirement in 1984.
Late Chief P S Aduku-Aluyor undoubtedly lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation, one that could aptly be described as fruitful in every sense of the word.
Death remains death and it will come when the time comes. The demise of loved ones often throws the living into a state of agony, grief, pain and despair. When an individual dies, the African belief is that such a person has gone to the great beyond and has joined his ancestors. While some great minds have argued that the longevity of human life is inconsequential and that the impact is what matters while others have said that the joy in existence lies in longevity of human life.
Personally, I hold the view that while an individual lives, he or she should make the best use of the opportunity of living because the joy of life lies in existence. Death is said to be inevitable that it would come when it will come but the question of when and how will it come is what we don’t really know.
As it is widely practice, Chief Aduku-Aluyor got married to his ever loving, passionate and affectionate wife, Mrs. Comfort Aluyor and the marriage was fruitful, resulting in the birth of ten lovely children.
Late Chief Aduku-Aluyor was said to be a pillar and a husband, a confidant to the family. This could undoubtedly be seen in the way and manner they grown their children successfully. His fatherly love and care showed on his children undoubtedly saw them grow to enviable height in the society.
Evidence of his success story in bringing up his children are the Vice Chancellor, Edo University Uzairue, Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor; former Dean, General Studies, Auchi Polytechnic, Mr. Godwin Aluyor; Dr. Mrs. Susan Konyeha of the University of Benin; Barr. Augustina Usifo among others.
According to the children’s respective tributes owes much of their rises and successes in life to the solid upbringing they enjoyed from their late father.
Specifically, Engr. Prof. Aluyor in his tribute described his late father as the happiest man who he will continue to imbibe his principles of discipline, honesty, faith and integrity which he said has sharpened his life character. “A good father, a generous giver, a humble and community leader”. In a display of sheer humility, their late father would personally ensure everyone had the delicacy of their choice ensuring that they (children) were well fed and satisfied and also always ensured that every visitor have food to eat irrespective of tribe or religion.
How many would I be able to say about a man who was best described as loving husband and caring father, hardworking, confidence, humble, courageous, generous, a community leader and a disciplinarian.
According to Dr. Mrs. Patience Aluyor in her tribute described him as a beautiful and wonderful in old age whose life has been a bundle of inspiration to her in every respect and often admired the great work he has done in raising his children and feeling very lucky to have the privilege to be one of his daughter in-law.
“It is not how far but how well” God bless late Chief Aduku-Aluyor with long life and a life fully and truly well spent. A man full of wisdom, love, generosity, courage, above all, a God fearing and a great ambassador for Christ.A father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather. True to the saying that ‘Legends never die’ because his death has immortalized him for eternity in the hearts of many”.
A man who always considered others above himself and fought for others courses disregarding the consequences at the detriment of his life.
A man is meant to be a pillar in the family, one whom the wife can always count on, a man who is there to share in her joys and pains and not only that, a positive influence to the children, in the world where these qualities are increasingly been lacked, the late Chief Aduku-Aluyor was all of these to the family as well as every person that ever came his way.
Those who ever crossed his way can allude to the fact that he was a positive influence to them. He was a husband, father and a man with a difference. His sterling qualities no doubt stood him out among the crowd.
You will agree with me that there is scarcely any better way the success of a marriage is measured than in the life of the children. Today the late Chief Aduku-Aluyor can boast of leaving behind fulfilled children who have found their ways to the peak of their careers in life as a result of the love and solid upbringing they enjoyed from their late father.
Little wonder his children can look back with great confidence and satisfaction to say of a truth they had a father and a friend indeed a counselor, one whom they can share their pains, fears and inner thoughts with.
Beyond that, he was a spiritual pillar to the children. A devout Christian who knows the teachings of the Holy book. He lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation by every father such that today the Aluyor’s family is a proud of accomplished men and women who have stuck to the exemplary spiritual foundation laid for them, just as it is written in the Holy scripture, train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
His children refer to him as a positive force in their lives, whose influence in shaping their lives cannot be underestimated. His counsel and discipline, as well as his encouragement and support were no doubt timely. No wonder his exit came with great pain to his loving offspring who described his loss as monumental and irreplaceable, knowing fully-well that he will be missed for all these and most importantly his priceless presence.
At the funeral service, the officiating Pastor, Pastor Peter Okogie whose message entitled ‘Time to Return’ as stated in the book of Luke 15:16, eulogized the outstanding sterling qualities of late Chief P S Aduku-Aluyor.
Pastor Okogie used the opportunity to advise the children to continue from the lot of legacies their father left behind.
At the ceremony, it was a gathering of eminent personality from the political cycle, academia and captains of industries within and outside the country.
In their separate comments, Hon Barr. Pascal Ugbomhe; Deputy VC Edo University Uzairue, Prof. Steve Omodia; Deputy Rector Auchi Polytechnic, Ven. Okpoduwa; former Registrar Edo University, Dr. Mrs. Isoken among others eulogized the outstanding sterling qualities of late Chief Aduku-Aluyor.
They described late Aluyor as a good man a father to all who was able to invest on the children’s education, contributed to the national security as a retired police officer and lived impactful and exemplary life.
They however advised the children to remain united, live in peace and harmony, be nice to people, continue to fly the flag of development, love and promote community development that their father lived for.
The various dance groups at the funeral indicated that late Aduku-Aluyor not only died at old age, but also made positive contributions to the society during his lifetime.
It is said that good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. This also reminded me of one of the late Bob Marley songs ‘when you live for yourself, you live in vein but when you live for others, you die to live again.
Farewell Chief P. S. Aduku-Aluyor, may your precious soul continue to rest in God’s bossom. Amen
