A trip to the eastern parts of Nigeria is always a pleasurable experience for this reporter. Every trip presents a golden chance to sample the culinary delights of the Region, from the greenest vegetable soup on Channelview Street in Calabar to the famed ofe anyara (garden-egg soup) on Lagos Street in Owerri, and the tasty fare in the high altitude of Obudu Ranch.

However, the latest trip to Emii in Emekuku-Owerri, Imo State during the final days of September (Friday 27th to Sunday 29th) offered no such succour. This was an obligatory journey to bid goodbye to a late close friend and colleague, Mrs. Roseline Osonamane Okere, who sadly exited this world in August.

Our delegation drawn from various units of the Branding & Communications Department of Dangote Industries Ltd comprised Messrs. Okey Nwankwo (Media Relations), Victor Ogunyinka (Digital Media), Jerry Okolie (Graphics), Victor Okpanachi (Transport) and this reporter (Internal Communications) set out from Lagos to Emii, Emekuku in Imo State, the hometown of Pst. Mike Okere, the husband and doting partner of our late colleague.

The slight hiccups in our travel plans, where we had to go by flight to Enugu from Lagos, and by road from Enugu to Owerri did not deter us from the grim task ahead. Fortunately, the delegation Leader, Okey Nwankwo had gone ahead to make the logistics of our trip smoother.

Neither did the cumbersome task of locating the family house and paying our respects during the wake-keep on Friday 27 September for our dear colleague deter us. All the repeated attempts by the hired driver to dissuade us from going to the hinterland fell on our deaf ears. We had come to pay our respects to a friend, and this was not negotiable!

On our return to Emii for the burial on Saturday after the strictly observed environmental sanitation programme, we co-incidentally ran into a convoy which included the hearse bearing the earthly remains of Roseline, which we followed first to the Okere family compound and then to the Okere house for the burial service. The presence of your former editor at The Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Babatola Adeyemi also complemented our presence in Imo State.

It is one thing to approach a task with bravado, it is entirely another to behold the face of a dear friend embalmed in a casket. Rose, the only consolation I had from the lying-in-state was the serene look on your face; a peaceful look devoid of the attendant wincing pain you were subjected to by the scourge during your last moments.

Reading the tribute of our Head of Department, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, during the burial service evoked fresh memories of your energy, zest for life and total focus on your duties, which signposted your personality during your six years’ stint with us in DIL. Listening to my own tribute read by my colleague Jerry Okolie, only deepened a poignant moment for me in particular and the whole DIL team in general. We did our best to stay calm while peering at your casket, as expected of us. How emotionally tasking!

Our return to Enugu after the burial service on Saturday and back to Lagos the next day did little to assuage our individual pain and collective sorrow at your departure, Rose. The plethora of tributes shared about you at the service only confirmed what we already knew; that you excelled at your best and God did the rest. You were a lioness who fended for her cubs and took care of her partner the lion, in a world of constant struggle for survival. Your husband also took good care of us, as you would have wished.

Our roller-coaster movement to Emii in Imo State to bid you goodnight has come and gone, but we are still grappling with the reality of your absence. The days when we arrive early to the office in Ikoyi to meet you already seated, praying or working are now gone. But the fond memories we shared and the triumphs we achieved as a unit and a team are indelible and firmly etched in the sands of time and history.

“Rosie Rosie,” your never-say-never attitude influenced our work positively, and your impact was felt by me even away from the world of work. Till the very end, you were a dedicated team member, determined colleague, dutiful wife, doting mother, and a devoted believer.

It is obvious that you have gone to a better place, which is the wish of every human. We are also reassured that God Almighty will comfort the families, brethren and colleagues you left behind. You remain God’s General wherever you are!

Good night, my co-Editor of the Dangote News; goodnight my friend and colleague.
May God be with you now and always.
• Akosile is a member of Dangote Industries’ Corporate Communications team.