Like a thunderbolt, the news of the death of one of Nigeria’s choicest journalists and veterans, Pastor Dimgba Igwe, Vice-chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited, hit many, leaving them emotionally and psychologically devastated.
Hours after his death, when everyone had accepted the grim reality, members of the Evangel Pentecostal Church, where the deceased was the deputy general overseer, were still believing strongly that he hadn’t gone. They held, rather, that he was merely resting to wake up any moment. They hinged this on the fact that he had not completed his earthly assignments. As a result, they prayed and waited for the miraculous.
As at Sunday, a day after the tragic incident that claimed the life of Pastor Dimgba Igwe, Major- General Paul Toun (rtd), General Overseer of Evangel Pentecostal Church, held the hand of God in faith, believing that miracle was possible. Most of his utterances on that day were actually hinged on this belief. This may also explain the un-subdued spirit with which Mrs. Obioma Igwe, wife of the deceased, dealt with horde of sympathizers that thronged the residence of the ace journalist on that day. For this mother of four, who was described by many as a woman of unflinching faith, a flicker of hope for that miracle was cleaned.
And for members of Evangel Pentecostal Church (located in Okota), the fact that their ‘daddy’ was lying in the morgue did not translate to death, as God could do the miraculous by sending him back into the warm embrace of his loved ones.
As a result, they refused, in the face of all indicators, to accept the daunting reality of their loss. So, on Saturday, the day the incident occurred, they held an all-night intercessory prayer in their church, asking God to wake him up to continue his work on earth. Also, on Sunday, with sympathizers streaming in and people pouring out their hearts and emotions on the pages of the condolence register, an intercessory, heart-rending prayer session, went on for hours in the Dimgba’s living room. This particular prayer session was anchored by a member of the prayer team, Mrs. Ify Anyalechi.
Holding on firmly to the belief that God could still move to upturn the course of nature, she disclosed that they had presented their reasons to God, pleading with Him to bring Pastor Dimgba back to life.
Also believing that the grim harvester of mankind had not taken their beloved pastor, was president of Women Fellowship of the church, Mrs. Chinyere Ibekwe. For her, the late journalism icon still had a lot of uncompleted assignments, which he must come back to complete.
Recalling how the late Dimgba helped to transform her life, she lamented that it was the deceased who God used to stabilise her and established her in the Christian faith over 19 years ago. She, however, said that as a Sunday School teacher in the church and president of the women fellowship, she would forever be grateful for the role Igwe played in her Christian life.
“He had no hidden agenda. I am one of his disciples. We are still praying that God will bring him back to life because we cannot come to terms that he is dead. He is grounded in the word of God,” she said.
Also stating emphatically, Deaconess Cordy Ejiogwu, another member of the church, had said he would come back, stressing that the fact that he was in mortuary wass not acceptable to them.
She noted that the fact that he promised to preach the concluding part of a sermon to them the following week, was an indication that he had not finished his spiritual assignment.
“He promised to finish the topic he was treating and that he will continue next week during the elders meeting. He has not finished that, so he has to come back.”
However, it was believed that a confirmation was received from God through the G.O., Pastor Toun, to let the man of God rest in peace. According to a member of the church, who spoke to this reporter, “after praying and seeking the face of God to do the miraculous, God told our G.O that we should let him be.”
Earlier, Pastor Paul Toun had told The Sun reporters that he didn’t doubt God’s ability to raise Dimgba from the dead if it pleases Him, adding: “Only God’s will must prevail, as He does all things to His glory.”
According to the G.O, who said the church had wished that God would bring him back, “since nobody can query God, we will abide by whatever He does since He is our maker and knows all things.”
For him, there were lots of uncompleted projects and things Igwe did not finish. His four children, he said, “are still in school; there are books yet to be published; sermons yet to be preached and church members yet to be fully trained.”
The late journalist, according to the G.O, was a founding member of the church and was the church secretary for so many years before becoming the deputy general overseer about six years ago.
Obi, others mourn
Glowing tributes have continued to pour in from different quarters over the September 6, sudden death of the Vice Chairman, of The Sun Publishing Limited, Pastor Dimgba Igwe.
Yesterday, the Publisher and CEO of The Source magazine, Dame Comfort Obi, and other eminent personalities, joined the long list of sympathizers that have paid tribute to the distinguished journalist killed by a hit-and-run driver while jogging in the early morning around his house in Okota.
Expressing her rude shock over the sad incident, Dame Obi, described Dimgba Igwe’s death as a devastating loss, insisting that the slain journalist was not meant to go that way.
“The heart of everyone bleeds at this tragic loss. I particularly feel pained that Igwe struggled with death for four hours to stay alive, only to lose the battle. I don’t believe he was targeted because he lived a straight forward life.
“Dimgba Igwe was not created to go like this. And when such bad thing like this happens, it makes us to ask God ‘where He was when it happened’. But as Christians we must not question God rather we must trudge on with life. However, we must pray and ask God not to allow such fate befall on us”, she stated.
Obi, who is also a member of the Police Service Commission board, vowed that whoever the killer driver is would be traced and brought to justice, as she further consoled The Sun family and Igwe’s wife and children over the sad loss.
Receiving Obi’s condolence letter, Executive Director, Bolaji Tunji, described as ‘painful’ the way the Vice Chairman lost his life to the cold hands of death, as he called on all to emulate the virtues of the slain journalist.
In the same vein, delegates of the National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW), while registering their grief, said the circumstance of Igwe’s death is suspicious as they called for a thorough investigation on the incident that led to his demise.
Leading the delegation, the Senior Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Macdonald Ohabuike, described the late Dimgba Igwe, as a dogged writer that never gives up pursuit to enthrone equity and fairness in the society.
“Igwe’s death is such a big loss. We worked with him and saw his worth. I must say that it won’t be easy to have another like Dimgba Igwe. His writing convinced us that we still have fearless journalists in this country.”
Appreciating the union’s condolence visit, on behalf of the MD of The Sun, Deputy Editor, Femi Babafemi, expressed hope that the security agencies will do their best to unravel the intention of the killer driver.
In his condolence message, columnist with The Nation newspapers, Emeka Omeihe said: “I have known Dimgba Igwe since the 80s and I find him a very gentle, unassuming and compassionate person. It is sad that good people can go this way. But we place everything in the hands of God.”.
Foursquare pastor condoles with The Sun
The Foursquare Gospel Church, District Overseer of the Ikeja Headquarters, Pastor Dayo Adewunmi, has extended his condolence to the Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Limited, Femi Adesina, over the loss of Pastor Dimgba Igwe.
In a letter of condolence signed by Pastor Adewunmi, the clergyman registered the sympathy of his congregation as he prayed God to console The Sun newspapers and protect all her employees from evil.
Dimgba Igwe: Cleric condoles with MD, The Sun
The Foursquare Gospel Church, District Overseer of the Ikeja Headquarters, Pastor Dayo Adewumi, has extended his condolence to the MD of The Sun Publishing Limited, Femi Adeshina, over the loss of their vice chairman, Pastor Dimgba Igwe.
In a letter of condolence signed by Pastor Adwumi and made available yesterday at The Sun’s complex, the clergyman registered the sympathy as he pray on God to console The Sun newspapers and protect all her employees from evil days and nights.
“Learning of the demise of the late Pastor Dimgba Igwe has brought to us a deep concern and I, therefore, write on behalf of Omole Foursquare Church to commiserate with you and the family of our beloved brother, Pastor Dimgba.
“May the Lord of resurrection comfort you and the family the deceased has left behind”, he added.
Shema, Fayemi condole family
Katsina State governor, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema and his Ekiti counterpart yesterday condoled with the family of Dimgba Igwe at their Okota home.
Governor Shema, who sent his condolence through the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Home Affairs, Hon Hussaini Garba Y, noted that Igwe was unquestionably a man of wisdom, discipline and a very versatile columnist whose writings endeared him to many Nigerians.
“Mr. Igwe will be remembered for his dedication, discipline and efforts in social engineering,” he said.
He called on the Igwe’s family to accept his brotherly regards and consideration in this period of sober reflection.
Also, Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi described Igwe as an icon of journalism and prayed to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
In the same vein, Rotary Club of Gbagada, commiserated with The Sun Publishing Ltd. In a condolence message, signed by its president, Prof Kayode Taiwo and addressed to the managing director, the club stated: “We hope that time and memories will help lessen your burden and that you may draw some measure of comfort knowing that you are all in our prayers at this difficult period.”
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter led by its president, Bishop Sola Ore, also condoled with The Sun Publishing Limited and the Igwe’s family over the sad loss of the cerebral journalist.
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Dimgba Igwe: Unceasing testimonies of an icon |
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