I would like to take some time out to pay tribute to a friend and comrade who I just learnt passed away on Monday, April 6, 2020 – Phillip Ilenbarenemen @IlenPhilip facebook.com/16361949034864…
The loss of Phillip at this time came as a shock, and deeply saddened me in a week we had begun to have some joy with the traction we have recorded in the battle against #COVID19 in Ekiti state.
This week we had the second positive case successfully treated and discharged from our isolation centre, and our palliative measures to bring relief to our people in this difficult time commenced in earnest.
It was against this backdrop that I received the sobering news of Phillip’s passing, causing me to recollect on his sacrifices as one of the unsung heroes of the pro-democracy struggle that birthed our 4th republic. A dependable comrade who was adept at organising and mobilizing
human and material support for the movement, at great risk and personal sacrifice. He is one of the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes on many fronts including being an anchor of the popular pidgin English programme “I wan talk to una” on the pro-democracy Radio Kudirat
Phillip was a founding member of the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) in Europe. More so, he was a convener of many other platforms in exile in the United Kingdom that supported the struggle in other ways, ...
... including the African Democratic League who in their own modest contribution organised a fundraising event in 1997 to support the activities of Radio Kudirat in those early days when funding was still a big challenge.
He was on the frontline of every protest we organised, often braving the bitter winter to join voices with other patriots to demand for the return of democracy in our country.
A loyal ally of Prof. Wole Soyinka, Phillip was a pleasant human being and dependable comrade who liberally put his time, talent, and resources at the disposal of the movement, always with a smile on his face.
With the return of democracy, Phillip continued his activism as one who understood the need to organically build resilient political parties on the foundations of democratic values, and clear ideological positions on how to deliver governance that served the people’s interest.
He was therefore a founding member of the predecessor parties from the days of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) till our party the All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed in 2013.
He was a voice from the diaspora when we were in opposition, and was even more prolific in supporting the efforts of the ruling party as the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (United Kingdom Chapter) – a position he held until his demise.
A nationalist who deeply loved his native Edo state and Nigeria as a whole, he was the Editor-In-Chief of the Edo Okpamakhin Newsletter, and an exemplar of patriotic Nigerians who live in the diaspora but whose hearts and minds never left home.
I have seen in the midst of this present crisis the beauty of our shared humanity as people have come together to provide care and succour to fellow human beings, many times at risk to their personal safety and comfort.
Indeed, it is in times of struggle for a common cause that we see heroic volunteer spirits rise up to be counted, as has been the case throughout history.
Many of these people hardly receive recognition, choosing to remain anonymous, but the impact of their sacrifice stays with us for generations. Men and women of kindred spirit like Phillip whose labours are the foundations upon which our society is built.
His life’s philosophy can be summed up in his twitter profile statement “I now believe that the world and those who inhabit it belong to God Almighty and are precious, so let’s cherish it and keep it safe – let's spread love.”
Indeed, Phillip’s legacy is one of love and sacrifice in the service of God and country. The passing of this great Nigerian at this time of distress in the world reminds us once again who the real heroes of our society are – the ones we owe our lives and liberties.
May the soul of Phillip Ilenbarenemen rest well, and may God comfort all those he left behind.
~ JKF
~ JKF
