Unical students mourn with their registrar

Bishop of Obudu giving the last blessing

The entire University of Calabar was thrown into mourning as the Registrar of the institution Dr (Mrs.) Julia Omang burry her husband Late Hon. Timothy Omang in his home town in Bakwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The burial which started on 13^th March 2013 with Vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ikot Ansa, Calabar was proceeded by the reception of the body by the parish priest at about 8am. It was followed by Valedictory service at the Cross River State House of Assembly, Calabar where late Hon Timothy Omang has served in different capacities. This was preceded by the conveying of most Uncial community to Ukpah Village in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State for the proper burial.

At about 4pm of 14^th March, the body arrived at St. Benedict’s Cathedral, Ogoja where the vigil mass was held. And at about 6:30pm, his body arrived at his compound in Ukpah in Bekwerra LGA where service of songs and Christian wake was observed. This night wake keep was a full display of cultural withal of Bekwarra LGA and show of Unical students as they kept all the mourners on their toes, thus, showcasing that the burial was really celebration of life of “A Man of Peace”.

The burial was equally attended by La crèmes of Unical and Cross River State. In attendance was the governor of Cross River State Sen. Liyel Imoke who was amply represented by his Deputy Barr. Effion Cobham. The Speaker of the State House Rt. Hon Larry Odey, his deputy and many other members of state House of Assembly were equally present/represented. The Vice Chancellor of Unical and most top ranking Unical personnel were not left out.

L-R, Unica VC & Wife, 4th is the Deputy Governor of CRS

During the mass, Unical Students who were led by the President Elect Comr. Bassey Eka block some entrances with their placard which bears many inscriptions like “Unical Students Mourn with their Registrar”, “Unical Students welcome VC and Lecturers to Bekwarra LGA of CRS”, “Unical Student welcomes Rt. Hon Larry Odey, Speaker CRS House of Assembly”, “Unical Students welcome all Honorable Commissioner & House of Assembly member”, “Unical Students welcome the Governor of CRS to the burial of late Hon. Tim.” etc

The State Requiem Mass was staged at St. Augustine’s Primary school because of the population of people that attended the Mass. The Mass was co-chaired by His Grace, Arch-bishop of Calabar Metropolitan Most Rev. A. E. Okpo, and Bishop of Ogoja, Bishop J. E. Ayah and more than twenty other priests.

In his sermon which were drawn respectively from the books of Wisdom of Solomon 3: 1-9, Isaiah 57: 1-2, Romans 14: 7-12 and Thessalonians 4: 13-18 which centers on resurrection, His Grace, Most Rev. A. E. Okpo noted that resurrection is the foundation of Christians faith, “if there is no resurrection, then our faith is of no use”. He noted that he who raised Christ will equally rise up the death at the appointed time.

The arch Bishop admonished that our time and days are more complicated and it is time for us to make the right choice on whom to give our lives to. He also noted the need for government of the day to incorporate the youths in governance as there are several ways and places God can be served.

Adding to this, he said “to all of us, think of the resurrection, what happen when I die” he summed by begging God to accept the soul of the decease.

According to his biography which was read by late Timothy Omang first son Mr. Stephen Oki Omang, late Hon. Timothy Ogbang Omang (1939-2013) was an ardent Catholic, a knight of St. Molumba (KSM) who was so devoted that to miss mass for a day was like being denied food and was always close to his wife. He is also a devoted member of sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a member of the justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC). He has equally sponsored more than sixty couples’ holy matrimony.

Politically, late Hon. Timothy represented Bekwarra in the Ogoja County Council 1963-1966 and had been the President of Bekwarra Development Union which saved the closure of some primary schools in Bekwarra Area because those schools could not afford the mandatory fee needed to sustain them. He was equally one of the staunched personalities that fought for the creation of Present Cross River State. He also served as a member of the state House of Assembly in 1979. The biography noted that “no write-up on the legislative process in the Cross River State House of Assembly would be complete without the mention of Hon. Timothy Omang. He chaired the Committee on Social Welfare, Education, Health and Sports at various times during the tenure”. He has also be thrown to Afukang Prison during the Buhari/Idiagbon Military rule so as to shut his mouth for speaking against injustice. Moderation and simplicity were his watch words.

In his Speech, the Governor of Cross River State Sen. Liyel Imoke who was represented by his Deputy Barr. Effion Cobham admonished that the types of late Timothy Omang are gradually disappearing. He described late Hon. Timothy as one who is firm and never overbearing. Describing him further, Barr. Effion said that “we’ve missed a great Cross Riverain, as a Public Servant, he played his part well. The Cross River that we enjoy today, he is one of the signatories, he left behind a very big shoe” he summed by charging the children of the late Honorable to expand on the big shoe left behind by their late father.

The Deputy Governor of CRS

The Unical Vice Chancellor Prof. James Epoke on his own part described the late Timothy as a perfect gentle man. In his speech, “the news of his death was really shocking to us, especially for me who knows this man who continually tell the wife during my candidature as the VC; if it is what I will personally choose, I will pick this man”. He more so noted that nobody will ever say anything about late Tim Omang without admonishing that he is a peace-maker and the priest has said it all that “blessed are the peace-makers for they shall see God”.

Describing the late Timothy, the Special Adviser to the Governor of CRS on youth, Don Clems said that he is simply “a perfect gentleman for politician in this generation”. “As for the family, they should take it how they see it” he summed.

Before the end of the mass, the voice of Unical Students was already going high in the sky with one Aluta song after the other with their placards. This attracted many attentions including that of the governor’s representative who came and address the students before going. According to the governor, “I thank the students for their pro-activeness in organizing and coordinating themselves to the extent of having placards for this occasion”, he finally expressed his sincere appreciation to the manner which the students has been steadfast, standing under the sun for a long time to cheer their Registrar as well as being peaceful in their dealing. He finally charged them to equally have such a similar zeal in the academic sojourns.

After the burial, the student paid a courtesy visit to the Paramount Ruler of Bekwarra LGA, HRH, Ushie Stephen Omang who is equally the elder brother of the late Hon. Timothy Omang to console him in his palace.

The paramount Ruler who welcomed the students for coming to console him thanked them for their manner and finding him feat to be consoled. He advised them to desist from any action that may be inimical to their studentship and pray for their safe journey back to Calabar.

Cross section of students who attended the burial expressed their disappointment in the SUG President, Imah Ayi Ekpenyong for neither coming to the burial ceremony nor sending any of his executive. They equally expressed disappointment and tamed it “mark of irresponsibility” as the seating SUG administration couldn’t event send a condolence message to the Registrar.

Speaking to our crew after the burial, the SUG president elect Comr. Bassey Eka who lead other Unical Students, members of NUCJ and his Exco to the event thanked all who came to cheer up their Registrar and Pray to God to give the Registrar the fortitude to bear this irreparable lose. He equally noted that he (with his Executive) had a condolence message they wanted presenting but time couldn’t allow them to do that as there were many things to be attended to during the burial.

Also in the exclusive interview, the President elect, Comr Bassey Eka when asked why he lead Unical Students to the burial even when there is a seating President said that “time wait for nobody, if you have a sleeping master, you the servant is not supposed to be a sleeping servant also, you have to awaken your master to enable him know that you are ready to work and that you are working. That is why I thought it wise to lead Nigeria Students to that burial to enable Nigeria students in University of Calabar showcase and show concern for the burial”. He equally acknowledged a great deal of appreciation to the Nigeria Union of Campus Journalists, for their concern in covering the burial event stripso senso.

By Ahanonu Emmanuel Eca, Political Science Department, Unical

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Unical students mourn with their registrar