With Tears But Full of Praises to God

Okolo Limus


Except God watches a city, in vein does a watchman keeps vigil, because scripture says in Isaiah 31:2 and yet he is very wise and from him disaster will come.

Mr. Christopher Azubuike Nwani one of the security aids to the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan in June 2010, purchased a Honda Accord Car, Aka Honda Hala, with registration number AE825AKU.

This was to make his movement easy, but little did he know what fate awaits the car, which was seen as his companion.

Also Miss Osaigbevo Odion from Edo state was fully prepared with her clothes and shoes ready for the trip to her state to have a colourful celebration with her relatives, but such journey was a mission for clothes and shoes sacrifice.

Mr. Nwani in October 2010, few months after buying the car, had to under go an engine replacement, sequel to the knock of the first one. After the engine replacement, and in his quest to be comfortable and satisfied with the car, decided to install an Air – Conditioner AC.

Though, he had earlier disclosed that the AC was reducing the capacity of his engine.

The effect of the AC reached it peak and “Thing Fell Apart” on the sad day of 18th December 2010, at about 4pm. Mr. Nwani was returning from a trip to Abraka in Delta State, in company of Comrade Okolo Linus, Mr. Jimoh Ibitoye, a police corporal attached to the state government House Asaba, Osaigbevo Odion and another person whose identity could not be identified as at press time.

About 30 minutes to the trip back to Asaba, the temperature of the car rose, and speedometer ceased working. Nwani bordered with the rise in the temperature, reduced his speed to about 40 speedometers, but such was less than quarter solution to the problem.

After a while, there was an unfriendly sound produced by the car. But a wounded soldier commentators said should not be left in the battlefield. Coupled with the expectation of all in the car to get it (car) fixed in order, at Agbor, a neighbouring town to Abavo where the anger of the car was loosed like that of God to the people of “Sodom and Gomorrah”.

There was a sound from the car, which prompted for a stop for proper check, since no mechanic was around. The Radiator was refilled with water, with little smoke from the battery. When the engine could not start, Linus mounted the steering, while other passengers were asked to push the car. Luckily the engine was on with smiles on the faces of all, not knowing that was the last movement of the car on the surface of the earth.

Based on the quest of all to get their various destinations, and in less than 200 meters to the drive, after the water refill, the temperature at this time rose to the highest level, immediately smokes were seen dosing out from the bonnet. And in a twinkle of an eye, the car was engulfed with fire. Not even the little fire- extinguisher donated by two good Samaritans who ply the road could extinguish the anger of the fire.

The car was however left to it fate at the scene of the incident, as it burnt to ashes without a “pin” removed from it. Christopher Nwani with other passengers have no other option than to wave good bye to the 7months old car, and look for another car to convey them back to their various destination. As Nwani was however, consoled with the words of comforters, which submits that, as long there is life, there is indeed abundant of hope.