Adieux Idi-araba.

Adieux Akoka! Adieux Idi-araba! Adieux LUTH!!!

With Nostalgia heavy on my mind, grief an inevitable companion, and determination my strength forward I herald the end of an era.

It did not settle when ‘habeeb’ asked when next we would meet physically. I remained oblivious when we laughed outside as a group. I uninstalled my electricals, still I remained unfazed. It hit me when Chiji and Leo had to leave the room.

I cannot begin to reminisce the times we shared at Akoka or in Idi-araba. I cannot reminisce our internship year together. What stares me in the face however, is the uncertainty ahead.

Most of us might never meet again. Most of us might meet when the other has had all their kids. We would hear of each other’s exploits. We will celebrate our successes with quiet pride, even in absentia. We will ping ourselves; we will reach out for that continued human touch. However, none can deny the massive wave of nostalgia about to sweep through as we end a phase together.

To the friends we made, to the ones we loved, to the ones we lost, to the one I LOST; we will remember, we will visit our moments together, we will visit our trials and triumphs together, we will visit our trophies together, we will visit and celebrate every collective triumph together.

To Bassey; I wept wondering what to do with your mattress, my heart leapt within when Chiji asked when next we would all meet together, Canada, Yankee, Leo Jaydee, my heart leapt within me when Leo asked if he could take ‘your shirt’ he mistook for mine. I know he didn’t notice but my face changed. I forcefully held the tears that would have welcomed the torrent from all three of us. I had to see them off cos i couldn’t face your absence alone. I wept when i got back into the room. I wept writing this. I remembered Tunde saying he had to take two weeks of work cos he couldn’t face it. I still weep.

I will visit the times we shared together. I will visit often, our games together. I will visit my concussion and how you slept with me at the accident and emergency. My Children will know you. I will take you along wherever I go.

To the rest of us, I urge you; cherish the friendships we’ve built. Nurture the bonds we’ve shared, may distance never make us waver. May our pings ring out from the driest points in Sokoto to the coolest hills in Calabar.

Dear God Jehovah, I beseech thee guide, direct and protect us in our venturing. For it does not belong, even to man who is walking to direct his own steps.

And to the Dream Team; Never, Never, Never give up the will to dream, to proact and to create. Therein lies our mantra.

Till we meet whenever and wherever, ADIEUX IDI-ARABA!