It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute on Thomas Imoniche Joseph on behalf of our friends from Layin – Kosai in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna.
Layin Kosai is very popular and interestingly, former residents of this area are found in most part of the country, who somehow have this unique features that distinct them from others. This area had produced football stars, notable politicians, scholars and administrators that had achieved giant strides in their various fields of endeavours.
Apart from being one of the flash points known for its notoriety in the days of Kaduna crisis, zangon Kataf and sharia, among others, it was also regarded as a melting point where Kaduna boys from all shades – ethnic, religious and social standing converged, argued and shared opinions on every topic under the sun especially politics, sciences and humanity generally.
It brought out the finest in many who reside in and around Layin Kosai and by extension Tudun Wada in Kaduna, such that the roll call of the personae associated with majalisa (Assembly) and Layin Kosai phenomenon made residents of other areas green with envy.
Not only did Thomas Imoniche lived at Layin Kosai, his father’s house on Ibrahim Taiwo Road was one of the points of convergence where all of us who were friends from different extractions: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Edo, itsekiri, Igala, Kanuri, Fulani, Kataf Nupe, just name it, lived happily together in the same nieghbourhood arguing about Karl Marx, Martin Luther king, Malcom x Leninism, the downfall of socialism/ communism, the need for the world to go western; embrace capitalism and free market economy, etc.
So interesting and educating was such convergence of different people and ideas that youthful exuberance and energy, were dissipated and channeled at more enlightened mental exercises and positive development than what currently exists.
In all of these, Thomas Imoniche stood out. You can’t fault his eloquence and mastery of the English Language. As friends, all argument on grammar, spelling, syntax or sciences and break-throughs as well as new discoveries are brought to the frontage of Thomas father’s house where at the end of the day, anyone with superior argument takes the day.
That was the spirit and conviviality that grows and nurtures among us, all friends of Thomas till today, such that many years after we relocated to other areas and towns, got married and some of us becoming grandfathers, we were inseparable and still converge at Layin Kosai occasionally and do our things, albeit in a mature way now.
Over the years, we visited each other during marriages, naming and burial ceremonies and as well visit relations and family of the dead among us on Sallah or anytime occasion demands, and on all occasions, Thomas Imoniche was always available in cash and kind, regardless of our cultural and religious differences.
Today at Layin Kosai, Tudun Wada and elsewhere in Nigeria, this type of communal and brotherhood relationships has for long seized; no thanks to our leaders in politics and religious divides, who have succeeded in exploiting our fault lines to polarise us further. These days, brothers are killing brothers, neighbours maiming each other and dogs eating dogs.
One only pray that some day this type of brotherhood, good neighbourliness and one love enjoyed in the past would be re-enacted not only in Kaduna but the entire nation where everyone would live together in peace and harmony regardless of our differences. Only then, would there be no room for sectional leaders, militia, joint task forces or Amotekun.
No doubt, the death of Thomas is a great loss to all of us. We will sorely miss him, but we take solace in the fact that he had lived a life well spent in the advancement of humanity and service to the Lord Almighty. He is detribalised, a strong believer in one Nigeria, just like many of us, his friends. This is not surprising, given our background as many of us were born and grew up in the same environment over 50 years ago.
On behalf of myself and all our friends from Layin Kosai, GSS Tafawa Balewa Way, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Nassarawa State University Keffi where Thomas obtained his Masters Degree and elsewhere, we pray for his gentle soul to rest in perfect peace and may he rest in the bosom of the Lord.
To his wife, Lola and the three children, Michael, Daniel, Anna and the rest of the family we pray God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss. Amen
Adieu Thomas Imoniche, our gentle and amiable friend.
By Abdukadir Garba
On behalf of his friends
