James Akpan Essien

Dear James,
What very sad, sad news. I still can’t believe you’re not here. It feels unreal.

I still remember the first time I saw you in church in Harrow and your genuine smile. I also remember all the fun times, the deep talks, and the laughter we shared. Your smile and laughter were so contagious.

You were such a gentle, generous, and encouraging friend. I will miss you. I will always remembe you with love.

A Tribute to James ..

James was a genuinely loving and caring person who had a special way of making people feel valued. He didn't just care about people in words — he poured himself into them through his actions, his time and his kindness.

One of the memories I will always hold dear is from when we were attending church in Cambridge. James would come and pick me and my three children up for church almost every Sunday, except when he was away. It may have seemed like a simple thing, but to me it said so much about the kind of person James was. He showed up for people. He gave freely of himself and genuinely cared.

He was also such a jovial person. His warmth, kindness and wonderful personality made it easy to feel comfortable around him, and his presence brought joy to those around him.

James, thank you for the kindness you showed me and my children, for the memories, and for the love you gave so freely.

It is still difficult to believe that you are no longer here, and saying goodbye is not easy. But I am grateful for the privilege of having known you and for the beautiful memories you have left behind.

You will be greatly missed, but you will never be forgotten.

Rest peacefully, James. 🙏🏽

It truly saddens my heart to hear of the passing of my dear cousin, Brother James. He was kind and very cheerful, and the memories of him will ever live in my heart. I pray that God grants him rest in peace, and hope that someday we'll meet again on the other side of eternity. With love, Junior.

Dear James, I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of your passing. You were such a bright light with your kindness and generosity. You were always the life and soul of the party whenever you walked into a room. I feel privileged to have known you as my brother in Christ. I hope you are now at rest with our Father. As it says in 2 Tim 4:7, you have fought the good fight, you have run the race, and have kept the faith. Rest well.

James has come and has gone so suddenly! It is one of the mysteries that life offers on this side of the divide, questions without answers! The Bible says "The secret things belong unto our God, ---" - Deuteronomy 29:29. We can only put our trust in Him, knowing fully well that all things work together for good to them who love God and answer to His purposes in life (Romans 8:28). Also, we are comforted by the understanding that James gave his life to Christ and as such, when we, who have the eternal hope in Christ, pass unto glory, we shall meet again with him to depart no more! May the death of our son (James) be a lesson to the living so that the living will apply wisdom to life’s existence. Shalom!

James will be remembered for his selflessness, kindness, generosity, and the quiet way he always managed to put a smile on people’s faces. Family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues all experienced the warmth and sincerity that made time spent with James so special.

I will always remember how we met at work at Evri. From the very beginning we just clicked, and before long a real friendship began. We had so many laughs together on shift, always joking around and lifting the mood no matter how tough the day was. Your laugh was infectious and could brighten even the hardest moments.

You were a genuinely good friend, and I’m truly sorry for what has happened. I will always be grateful for the memories we shared and the connection we had. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Writing
The news of your passing came to us as a serious shock. It is difficult to accept that you are no longer with us.
James, you were a beloved cousin, and the memories we shared with you will always remain in our hearts. Your passing has left a painful void in the family, but we take comfort in the good memories and moments we shared together.
Though you are gone from our sight, you will never be forgotten. May God grant you eternal rest and give the entire family the strength to bear this painful loss.
Rest in peace, dear James. You will be greatly missed.

My dear nephew, James until now it's still hard to accept that you have gone to be with the Lord. If it's possible for you to read what has been written concerning you, you will discover that you live a life that was very impactful leaving behind a legacy that will be difficult to be erased. I normally called you JJ when you were growing up. You were very active. agile and wise as a little child. I remember those days at ididep when we all be watching television in the parlor and you will get to the bathroom, carry the blue and robbed all your body. After doing this you came to the parlor and when you noticed that you have been seen, you beat yourself as a proof that you knew that what you were doing was not right so that you cannot be punished. From then, I knew what was endowed on you by God. Growing up and making it is a confirmation of what God had destined you to be. God is all knowing and why your life is cut short is based known to God. We cannot question God but just to accept knowing that a righteous does not die but sleeps and wake up on the resurrection morning. Bye James, we love you but God loves you mire.

# TRIBUTE TO BROTHER JAMES

Brother James was not just a quiet and fine man; he was a genuinely beautiful soul. He was soft-spoken, calm in his disposition, kind in his dealings, and, above all, deeply dependable. He was the kind of person you could think of calling when you needed someone to talk to, someone to listen, or simply someone with whom you could unburden your heart. There was a quiet warmth about him that made you feel at ease in his presence.

It is difficult to accept that someone with such a gentle spirit and such a good heart had to leave us so soon. Life sometimes feels deeply unfair, especially when it takes away people whose presence made the world a little kinder and a little better.

One memory of Brother James that I will always cherish takes me back to about ten years ago, when I arrived in Manchester for my programme. In the midst of his very busy schedule, Brother James made the effort to travel all the way from Scotland, as I remember it, just to come and see me. He had promised that he would come, but knowing how busy he was, I honestly did not think he would make it. So, when he eventually showed up, I was genuinely surprised and deeply delighted to see him.

Looking back now, that moment means even more to me. It was a simple act, perhaps, but it said so much about the kind of person he was. He was a man who valued people, who kept his word, and who was willing to make an effort simply because someone mattered to him.

Brother James may have spent far too few years with us, but the measure of a life is not always in how long it lasts. Sometimes, it is in the lives it touches, the memories it leaves behind, and the love that remains long after the person is gone. By that measure, his life was meaningful, and his presence will not easily be forgotten.

I will always remember his kindness, his calmness, his brotherly love, and that unforgettable visit to Manchester. These are memories I will carry with me for the rest of my days.

Brother James, your time with us was far too short, but your impact endures. Thank you for being a brother in every way that mattered. Thank you for the kindness you showed and for the memories you left behind.

Rest peacefully, my brother. You will always be deeply loved, fondly remembered, and profoundly missed.

Until we meet again, rest in peace, Brother James.

TRIBUTE TO OUR DEAR JAMES 🌹

It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our dear James. It is still so difficult to believe that you are no longer with us. Your departure has left a painful void. You were my brother inlaw but everyone thought you were my younger brother because of how nice and kind you were to me and my children (your nieces and nephew).

Your warm smile, kind heart, and friendly nature touched the lives of everyone who crossed your path. You lived with compassion, humility, and a genuine love for others, leaving behind beautiful and unforgettable memories that we will cherish forever. How can I ever forget how well you took care of me when I visited Glasgow?

Though we mourn your passing, we take comfort in the hope and promise of eternal rest in Christ.

Sleep on, dear James, in the bosom of our Lord. May His perpetual light shine upon you, and may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Forever remembered, forever loved, and
forever missed. 🌹🌹🌹

Angela and children.

My dearest cousin, words cannot express the sudden loss of you. When my father connected me with you I felt excited that I had a cousin in Nigeria that I could bond with. And we did as you graduated and moved to England our conversations about life, politics and your dream to visit me in America was always fun when we spoke. Your laugh and smile reminded so much of my dad it fill my heart with joy. I will remember and miss that the most. You will not be forgotten, brother. May you rest well in the hands of God.

Love always
Your cousin Akon

TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR YOUNGER BROTHER, JAMES

It is so difficult to put down these few lines as a tribute to a brother who was younger than me. It is painful to have to do this, but I must summon the courage to pay you this, perhaps, my last honour and tribute to your person.

As painful as this moment is, I am consoled by the impactful and memorable life you lived while it lasted, even though it was far too short. You were a humble, hardworking, diligent and intelligent young man. You played your part well, to the best of your ability, and in many ways touched the lives of people and the communities you were associated with.

I can confidently testify to your warm and welcoming disposition. This was clearly evident during the period you came to Lagos after your National Service. You were such a pleasant person to be around, and your relationship with my children was particularly remarkable. Despite the age difference and your academic position at the time, you never allowed these to create any distance between you and them. You willingly brought yourself down to their level, played with them, watched over them and gave us, their parents, the opportunity to attend to other things. These are memories that will remain with us. As a family, we sincerely miss you.

Even in simple domestic matters, you were always willing to help. Whether it was running an errand or assisting with household chores, you were readily available. Your position or level of education never stopped you from making yourself useful. That humility and willingness to serve was one of the qualities that made you special.

You also brought joy and honour to the family when you made the courageous decision to leave your job in Nigeria and pursue further studies in the UK. You excelled in your studies and eventually chose to settle there and build your career. Little did we know that the journey which began with such great promise would end in this painful way—with the news of your departure from this world, so soon and without even a goodbye word from you.

At this point, I have had to come to terms with the reality that, as Christians, we must submit ourselves to the sovereignty of God and trust His Word that “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). I therefore lay this pain at His feet and trust Him for the grace to accept what we cannot change.

My dear brother, you came, you lived, you touched lives, and you left your footprints in the hearts of those who knew you. Though your time with us was short, your memory will remain with us.

I trust that you are resting in the bosom of Abraham.

Adieu, my dear brother. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Cletus Umana

I was deeply shocked when I heard of your passing, James. I met you briefly in Cambridge, and despite not feeling well at the time, I could see how lovely, calm, and jovial you were. I saw you as a brother, especially because we shared the same surname and were from the same state in Nigeria.

I knew you had so much within you to give and impact the world with. You had so much life ahead of you, and you promised to live a healthy and happy life. But sadly, death has taken you from us far too soon.

Who are we to question God? He alone knows best.

Rest peacefully, James. You will be deeply missed. May God comfort your family and everyone who loved you. May your soul rest in perfect peace.

Tribute to My Dear Friend James- "My Ogahgahgah"

There are some friendships that become so much a part of your life that you never really imagine having to speak about the person in the past tense. James was that kind of friend to me.

We met in Glasgow in 2011, at a time when we were both relatively new entrants into life in the United Kingdom. Like many people starting again in a new country, we worked security jobs while pursuing bigger dreams for our lives. Those early Glasgow years gave us memories that I will always treasure.

And, of course, there was James's famous okro soup.

James was a very good cook, but somehow his signature okro soup became a running joke between us. It is one of those small memories that may mean very little to anyone else, but today it means so much to me. I would give anything to sit with him again, laugh about that soup and hear him defend his cooking.

Over the years, our lives moved forward. James completed his Master's degree and built a successful career as an engineer. I continued with law and my own professional journey. But despite changing jobs, cities, responsibilities and seasons of life, our friendship remained.

James was there during one of the most difficult periods of my life, my divorce. He remained my friend as I rebuilt my life, and he was there again when I remarried. He became part of my family. There were Christmases when James would come and celebrate with us, not merely as a visitor, but as someone who belonged.

That is how I will remember him.

James had an incredibly generous heart. Saying "no" to people was almost impossible for him. Sometimes I would tell him that he needed to learn to say no, because people knew that if they came to James, somehow James would try to help.

He loved his family deeply. Anyone who knew him knew how close he was to his mother. He was a family man at heart, and beneath everything else was his love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When James suffered a stroke and heart attack, it frightened us. My family and I travelled to Newmarket in Cambridge and spent the whole day with him. Because I had experienced my own near miss with a stroke some years earlier, I found myself constantly talking with him about his recovery, encouraging him about the activities he could do and reminding him to look after himself.

Perhaps that is one of the hardest parts of losing him.

We were not preparing for James to die.

We were preparing for James to live.

We talked about his recovery. We talked about his future. We talked about him getting married. He had even promised that he would eventually move closer to me and my family in Coventry.

There were still plans.

There were still conversations to be had.

There were still Christmases we assumed would come.

And then came the news that James was gone.

There are some phone calls and some pieces of news that divide your life into before and after. His death was one of them for me.

James, my friend, we travelled a long road together. From those security-job days in Glasgow, trying to establish ourselves in a new country, to watching each other grow professionally, build families, overcome difficulties and pursue the lives we had imagined for ourselves.

I am grateful that when life became difficult for me, you were there.

I am grateful that my family knew you.

I am grateful for the Christmases, the conversations, the laughter, the advice, the plans and even that legendary okro soup.

I am grateful that when you became ill, we had the opportunity to come and sit with you, talk with you and remind you that you were loved.

I only wish we had been given more time.

But as painful as your passing is, I take comfort in knowing that your faith was important to you and that you loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So this is not how I imagined saying goodbye to you, James.

You were supposed to recover.

You were supposed to get married.

You were supposed to move closer to us.

We were supposed to have more years.

But life has written a chapter none of us expected.

Rest well, my dear friend.

You came into my life as a friend in Glasgow, but somewhere along the journey you became family.

You will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and never forgotten.

Until we meet again.

Rest in peace, James.

With heavy tears in my eyes and a deeply grieving heart, I share these great memories of my dear son, James Akpan Essien. You were deeply loved and appreciated right from your youth. I fondly remember how you worked beside me on the farm molding ridges and beds for planting pumpkins and other crops, frying garri, and living a life of utmost respect. Everywhere you went, people spoke highly of you because of your gentle nature and hardworking spirit. Your exceptional character was an example to others; even your headmaster once presented you as a role model for fellow students to emulate.

After earning your first degree in Nigeria, you moved to the UK to pursue your Master’s degree. Through it all, you remained a kind, dutiful son to me and a blessing to everyone around you. You always pondered on the good things you could do for others. Even when resources were scarce, you sacrificed endlessly sometimes taking on burdens just to solve my problems and assist those in need. You were a true son in every sense of the word. It is so difficult to let you go, and you will forever live in my heart. It is so hard to say goodbye.

A Tribute to My Friend, James Essien

Oh James, my very energetic friend, I will forever miss you.

As my tribesman, university classmate, member of the same final-year project group, and someone with whom I completed the National Youth Service in the same state, James was a significant part of my life and history. During our early days, we traversed the length and breadth of our country together in search of opportunities.

By a beautiful coincidence, James happened to be in the country and witnessed both my traditional marriage and wedding, moments that now stand as the last times we would ever see each other.

James, thank you for being part of my journey and for the impact you made in my life. You will always be remembered as a true friend and brother. Rest well, my friend.

James had such a sweet and caring spirit. Whenever we spoke, our conversations were always filled with laughter, joy, and good cheer. We were so proud of his accomplishments and admired his desire to keep striving, growing, and moving forward in life.

I was looking forward to visiting him again in London again one day and having him finally show us Cambridge! It deeply saddens me that we will not have that opportunity and see our lives together again, but I will always cherish the memories we shared and the joy he brought into our lives.

Rest peacefully, Bro James. You were deeply loved and will be truly missed.

James, my friend and brother in Christ, I was shocked when I learnt of your passing. The last I spoke to you was a few months ago when you called me and you shared some of your struggles with illness in recent years, I could hear it in your voice and I could not imagine what you went through. God knows best and you may no longer be with us but your memory remains everlasting. Rest In Peace James🙏🙏

Tribute to My Cousin James

It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute to my cousin, James.

Though we were not very close, the news of your passing came as a shock and has touched me deeply.

It reminded me how precious life is, and how important every member of our family is.

Today I choose to remember you with love and respect. I pray that God grants you eternal rest, and gives strength to everyone mourning you.

Though you are gone, your name will continue to live on in our hearts.

Farewell, dear cousin James. I wish we had more time. I wish we had more memories. But I am truly grateful that you were part of our family.

Rest in perfect peace, James. You will be deeply missed, and your memory will remain with us forever.

Your Cousin,
Faith Levi

A Tribute to My Dearest Big brother
I had known you not just as a big brother but also a role model I truly looked up to. Your humility, peaceful nature, intelligence and gentle spirit made you really special.
You were a handsome young man who loved God, and devoted yourself to serving Him. Your life was a beautiful example of grace, excellence and faith.
The news of your tragic passing came as a shock and left me numb. Losing you is deeply painful and words cannot fully express how much that hurts. Your memory will forever remain precious in my heart.
Rest peacefully, dear Big Bro James
Barr. Mfonobong Okon (Mfon Baby) your little cousin.

Dear James,

Thank you for being such an amazing person, calm-natured, and peaceful soul.

May you continue to rest in peace

With deep sadness, yet with gratitude to God for a life that touched many hearts, we remember our beloved brother who for a time worshipped with us at the Church of Christ,Akoka before relocating to the United Kingdom.

During his years with the Akoka congregation, he was known as a brother who participated actively in the life and activities of the church. His presence, fellowship, commitment, and interaction with fellow brethren left lasting memories that we will continue to cherish.

Although distance separated him from us after his relocation to the UK, the bond of Christian fellowship and brotherly love remained. It is therefore with great shock and sorrow that we received the report of his departure from this earthly life.

We may have lost contact with him physically, but we have not forgotten the memories of the times we shared together. His contributions to the congregation, his fellowship with brethren, and the moments of worship and service we experienced together remain precious reminders of a brother whose life was part of our congregation's story.

As we mourn his passing, we are reminded of the words of Scripture:

«“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” — Psalm 116:15»

Our hearts go out to his immediate family, loved ones, friends, and all those who mourn his passing. May God grant them strength, comfort, and the courage to bear this painful loss.

TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED BROTHER AND FRIEND ENGR. JAMES AKPAN ESSIEN

I'm writing this with an heavy heart and with tears in my eyes James.

I cherish every moment I was with you, you always treat me with kindness and with Love.As gentle and calm that you were, your presence brought meaningful moments to our lives.

I Remember when I had difficulties in some areas of Physics during my SS1 class,you told me that cannot happen when you're around,it took you less than two weeks to put me through and promise to make me an expert in those areas,true to your word,you made me an expert just like you were.

I remember so many moments we spent together that I cannot count all,you taught me how to lead in songs in church, you taught me how to do interpretation in church,you taught me everything a Big brother will teach his younger brother,I can not count it all.

James,you were a good hearted person with kindness and very compassionate, full of Love and care to all that comes your way.

You always had this warm smile on your face and I never see you sad. There was a day I playfully asked if you don't get angry,you didn't respond, you just smile and we laugh it off.

You had so much love for God and always stand to defend it, you stood true to the ordinances and true teachings of God,no wonder you had all the fruits of the spirit in your life while on earth.

The last time we spoke,you said you were planning to come home soon and I was happy and expecting we will talk about so many things but unknown to us,God had another plan

Since the day I heard of your demise,I kept asking myself these questions, Why would this happen to a good man like James Essien?How is the mighty fallen in the middle of war? This is real Sunset at Noon.

Since it pleases God to call you home from this world full of troubles and pains,the memories you created while on earth will linger in our hearts forever.

Sleep on my dear brother till we meet to part no more

May the light of God guide you home Engr.James

May your soul rest in peace

From Mfoniso Robert

Tribute to James Essien

It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I pay tribute to my dear friend, classmate, and brother, James Essien.

James was more than a friend to me; he was a brother. We shared many memorable moments over the years, and his friendship was one I deeply cherished. Whenever I visited the UK, James would make the effort to drive for three to four hours just to see me, so that we could spend time together, catch up, share stories, laugh, and enjoy each other's company. Those moments meant so much to me then, and they mean even more to me now.

We spoke regularly on the phone, keeping in touch despite the distance between us. Never did I imagine that our conversations and time together would come to an end so soon. If I had known, perhaps I would have held on a little longer to every conversation and treasured every moment even more.

James was a kind-hearted and warm person whose friendship went beyond words. His willingness to travel such a long distance just to spend time with me demonstrated the kind of friend and brother he was. His passing has left a painful void in my heart that will be difficult to fill.

Though it is incredibly painful to say goodbye, I am grateful to God for the privilege of knowing James, for the friendship we shared, and for all the beautiful memories we created together. Death may have taken you from our sight, but it can never take away the memories you left behind.

Rest peacefully, my dear friend, classmate, and brother. You will be deeply missed, but you will never be forgotten.

May Almighty God grant your soul eternal rest and give your family, friends, classmates, and everyone who loved you the strength and comfort to bear this great loss.

Farewell, James Essien, my dear brother. Until we meet again, rest in perfect peace.

Tribute to Bros J

James Akapn, fondly called Bros J, you were a good man and a true brother whose presence touched many lives. Your memories will forever remain in our hearts.

Rest in peace, Bros J. You will be deeply missed 💔

In loving memory of my amazing brother-in-law,

Though miles apart, your presence was always felt in our lives. Your unwavering support, kindness, and love transcended distance and touched our hearts in ways we could never fully express. Despite the physical distance that separated us, you always showed up for our family, offering your guidance, encouragement, and love when we needed it most.

Your selflessness and generosity knew no bounds, and your impact on our lives was profound. Though we may have rarely had the opportunity to know you on a personal level, the love and care you showed towards us spoke volumes about the kind of person you were.

Even in your absence, your spirit continues to shine brightly, and the memories we shared with you will forever be cherished in our hearts. Your legacy of love and support will continue to inspire us as we navigate life's challenges.

Rest in peace, dear brother-in-law. Your kindness and presence in our lives will never be forgotten.

With heartfelt gratitude and love,
From ;Bassey Essien,Nseobong Essien,Mia Essien and Ivory Essien

Tribute to Our Dear Classmate, Brother and Friend, James Essien.

It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we, the 2005 graduates of Mechanical Engineering Department, of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria (FUTO), pay our heart felt tribute to our dear classmate, friend, and brother, James Essien.

James was an important part of our journey through FUTO. Together, we shared the tasking years of engineering studies—the lectures, assignments, examinations, projects, challenges, laughter, friendships, and dreams for the future. Those experiences created a bond that remained long after we left the university.

James will be remembered for the life he shared with us his friendship, and the memories we created together as classmates. His passing is a painful reminder that while our individual journeys may take different paths, but the bonds formed during those formative years remains with us forever.

Today, we mourn not only former classmates but one of our own—a colleague, a friend, and a brother. Although James has departed from us, the memories of the years we spent together will remain in our hearts.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. We pray that Almighty God will comfort and strengthen them during this difficult time and grant them the grace to bear this great irreplaceable loss.

James, your classmates remember you. Your friends remember you. Your FUTO Mechanical Engineering family remembers you.

May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Farewell, dear James, until we meet again on the resurrection morning.

From:
The 2005 Mechanical Engineering Graduates/Classmates
Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria

A TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED COUSIN, JAMES ESSIEN AKPAN

Today, I remember with a heavy heart my beloved cousin, James Essien Akpan, a cherished family member whose life, presence, and memories will forever remain in our hearts.

James was more than just a cousin; he was family, a companion, and someone whose presence brought meaning to the lives of those around him. His passing has left a deep void that words cannot adequately express.

Although we mourn the loss of his physical presence, we are grateful for the memories, moments, laughter, and bonds we shared. These memories will remain a lasting reminder of the person he was and the impact he made during his time with us.

Death may have taken him from our sight, but it cannot take away the love and memories we hold dear. His name will continue to be spoken with affection, and his memory will remain alive in our hearts.

Rest peacefully, dear cousin, James Essien Akpan.
Your journey on earth may have ended, but your memory will never fade.

May God grant you eternal rest and give the entire family the strength and comfort to bear this painful loss.

Rest in peace, James.
You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Mr & Mrs Nsikak

Tribute to James Essien

I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend, James Essien.

I have known James for a very long time. We first met during our NYSC service year in Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State, where we both served at Manus Comprehensive Secondary School, Okpoko. James was my roommate, and we even shared the same bed. He taught Physics, while I taught Mathematics and Computer Science.

Throughout our service year, we were very close friends and lived together. The school provided accommodation for us in the Corps members’ lodge, where we stayed together and shared many memorable experiences.

One of the experiences I will never forget was the night we were both attacked by armed robbers at the Corps members’ lodge. It was a frightening experience, but going through such difficult moments together further strengthened the bond between us. Beyond that, we went together in search of jobs and travelled to Lagos several times. Those journeys and experiences created memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I was particularly glad when James relocated to the United Kingdom for further studies. Although we did not communicate as frequently afterward, largely because of our different engagements and the distance between us, our friendship remained special to me. Eventually, we found ourselves living in different parts of the world, with one of us in the Southern Hemisphere and the other in the Northern Hemisphere.

James was a kind, gentle, cheerful, humble, and easy-going person. He always had a warm smile and a calm disposition that made him easy to relate to. He was the kind of person whose friendship one valued and cherished.

James, I am still shocked and deeply saddened by this news. It is difficult to believe that you are no longer with us. Nevertheless, I take comfort in knowing that you touched many lives during your time on earth. Your kindness, friendship, and the memories you created will remain with all those who knew you.

I will always remember the wonderful moments we shared during our NYSC years—the room we shared, the Corps members’ lodge provided by Manus Comprehensive Secondary School, our journeys, our search for opportunities, and even the frightening night when we were attacked by armed robbers. These experiences were part of a remarkable chapter of our lives that I will never forget.

James, you may be gone, but your legacy will live on in the lives you touched and in the memories of those who knew and loved you.

May your soul rest in perfect peace.