Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem
In his 17th century defiant and immortal sonnet, iconic British poet, John Donne, challenges the traditional view of death as a powerful and fearful force. Instead, Donne argues that death is not as formidable as it seems and that those who “die” actually experience a transition to eternal life.
Titled “Death, Be Not Proud,” the poem directly addresses Death, rejecting the idea that it is mighty or dreadful. Donne argues that death is merely a temporary state, a “short sleep” leading to eternal life in heaven.
Emphasising that the power of Death is grossly exaggerated, he points out that death is subject to fate, chance, and human actions, rather than being a master of its own destiny. The poem emphasises that death cannot harm the immortal soul, which continues to live on in another realm. The final couplet dramatically proclaims that death itself will eventually be overcome and cease to exist, making the poem a powerful assertion of immortality.
Donne’s arguments are convincing as they come with vivid imagery to subvert the traditional view of death and offer a message of hope and eternal life. The evergreen piece is a powerful meditation on mortality and immortality.
But two latter-day musical geniuses who could be regarded as poets in their own right, Ayinla Omowura (In ‘25 times 40’) and Sikiru Ayinde Barrister (In ‘Fuji Fantasia’) extolled the stubbornness and unrelenting persistence of Death, saying no matter what you do, however hard you try to stay away from trouble and live a healthy life, when death is ready to snatch you, it will do so with cold efficiency and clinical precision.
Death has done such incalculable damage that, like Donne, one has lost the capacity to fear it.
Its recent strike on one of us has come as a huge shock that words can’t express. My time in the State House as a reporter has been the highlight of my career. And a certain Dr. Leon Usigbe was the highlight of that highlight.
As a former Group News Editor of People’s Daily Newspaper who was sent back to the field to fill the vacuum in some strategic beats, I was drafted to the State House as a correspondent when Yusuf Ozi-Usman left and Mohammed Isa Funtua (May Allah rest his soul in Aljanna Firdaus) who was waiting for accreditation to replace him was appointed as Special Adviser on Print Media to the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
That was when my paths crossed with Oga Leon. He encouraged me from day one. When I was waiting for accreditation and preferred to remain outside and be getting stories from him, George Agba and others, he insisted I should come and be staying in the Banquet Hall (now, Conference Centre) pending my accreditation. When I eventually bowed to his pressure, he saw me on that first day and said: “Look at you, fine and young and you write well. Be staying here and get to know colleagues and acclimatise to the environment even before you get the accreditation to enter inside. Don’t you like the environment? You can see it’s so beautiful and comfortable.”
And that was it. I never left the environment until I eventually left when I decided to. I never left Oga Leon’s presence until destiny separated us years later.
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Oga Leon was one of the finest journalists I came across, with a compelling and forceful opinion on national and international issues, and an engaging writing style. He knew everything and read every book he could get in the store. We disagreed on European football because he was for Chelsea and I was (and still) for Manchester United. But our passion for the round leather was the same. We disagreed on national politics in the 2015 election buildup because he was for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and I was for General Muhammadu Buhari (of distinguished memory). We disagreed on US politics because he was for Donald Trump and the GOP while I was for Obama/Clinton/Biden/Democrat. Even when you disagree with him, you can’t help but learn from his erudition and depth of knowledge.
He was one of the purest souls I met. He loved me genuinely and my family felt his sweet smile and touch. Alongside my boss, Mr. Abdulwahab Isa, he came all the way to Lokoja for my wedding and my wife became fond of him. When we meet in social gatherings, the ageless Oga Leon was always wearing shorts and other casual stuff that made him look half his age, and my wife talks about that part of him each time we are discussing him. We still did that few days ago without knowing that he was at the departure lounge already.
A fitness buff and a very happy and fulfilled man with zero worries, he would say: “Abdulrahman, you must go to the gym regularly with me, you need to build some muscles, even your wife will like it.” He would make sure I eat two hours before gym time and when it’s time, we jump on his elite Toyota Forerunner and go. We toured the city too and had many memorable moments in that elevated automobile.
We also travelled to countless places together within and outside the country and Oga Leon was special. In the twilight of our Villa rendezvous, we were in Accra, Ghana, together and that was President Jonathan’s last official foreign trip.
When we met late last year to make merry and catch up, Oga Leon was looking as young as possible while wearing his MAGA face cap, having gone to the US (he does this religiously at least once in a year) this time, to play some roles in the re-emergence of Trump as US President. I asked him why he kept looking like a Gen Z at over 60 and whether it was all about using the gym, but he said: “It’s not the gym, it is the gene.” Oga Leon is not someone you would think will pass at this age. But life is a mystery and God knows best.
His presence has been a huge blessing to me and my family. He told me to bring my family to his new house for the Yuletide. I told him my mum would be around also and I will bring everyone. But I didn’t fulfill that promise and now my friend, teacher and mentor is gone. This is most regrettable!
He had most of his professional life in the North. He spoke Hausa fluently but never lost touch with his Edo routes. He had a farm in the village which he cultivated by himself regularly. He was Bello Masari’s spokesperson as Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was a fantastic and accomplished professional.
A big loss to the Nigerian Tribune family, State House Press Corps and the media industry in the country but a big gain for the heavens.
Oga Leon, it pains me that I won’t get to see your infectious laughter again, your analytical mind and camaraderie.
You always say whatever happens, “Life must go on.” I will love you forever and will pray for you.
May you find peace and eternal bliss among the angels. May your beautiful family find the strength from somewhere to withstand your absence and cope with the huge vacuum you are leaving behind.
Adieu, Leah Habby. A jolly good fellow!!!
