By Henry Akubuiro
A biography and autobiography are realistic recollections of life on earth with real-life characters as the superhero of the narratives. These stories regale us about the ups and downs of great men and women, leaving us with many takeaways to relish and ponder about their exploits, downturns and overall impact on humanity. No matter the trills of modern fiction, no great fiction can rival a biographical account of a remarkable achiever.
Divine Providence: Legacy of LAMB: A Messenger’s Son is a story of the life of Lawrence Abu Moses, now retired, in pursuit of greatness and selfless service. Looking back in retrospect at 87, Lawrence Braimah says in the Prologue, the long walk of grace he has had has been an impeccable blend of joys and sorrows. Among others, he enjoyed career postings at local, state and national levels, as well as some unsavoury personal experiences.
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An Igala man, who hailed from Idah, Braimah was born on the eve of World War II, 26th of May, 1938, at Makurdi in the old Benue Province, to the family of Baba Braimah Adegbe Ayegba and Mama Achetu Ache, the former, who died in 1947. His father nicknamed him Empire Boy, for he was born just two days after the British Colonial Empire Day, a day used to mark the birthday of Queen Victoria of England. He enrolled in St. Boniface Roman Catholic School and regularly topped his class, despite his small stature among bigger boys. He went on to excel in his First School Leaving Certificate Exam, becoming one of the top six students selected to study at St. Michael’s College in Alade, old Benue Province.
This book is interspersed with Nigerian history. From the dawn of party politics in Nigeria, where Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and Sarduana of Sokoto emerged as powerful political forces, to the mystical and leadership grandeur of the legendary Igala king, Attah Ameh Oboni, there are many things to savour in this autobiography. The chronicler recalls an interesting encounter in Kaduna, where all the paramount rulers had gathered to welcome Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England. Contrary to the instruction by the Sarduana of Sokoto for Attah Ameh to bow before the queen and shake hands with her, like others, he refused, for it went against the Igala tradition – the Igala king was forbidden to shake hands with any one, especially a stranger, needless to say a white woman. So, the Sarduana felt slighted by Attah’s arrogance.
Braimah had dreamed of working in the civil service, little wonder when he got wind of the launch of the diploma programme at ABU, Zaria, in public administration, he applied and was among the thirty students offered admission, after which he transitioned to the degree programme proper. The sixth chapter begins the Braimah public servant odyssey, where he flourished. As a family man, he is blessed with nine biological children. Jane, his first wife, bore him three children; while the second wife, Bridget, bore him six children, making it nine. He also inherited the children from his last two wives, who had married before.
Braimah is a man of faith, serving God through music and knighthood. From the word go, he believed he had a special call for liturgical music, which explained why he joined the church choir at a young age as a Catholic, and it grew at Saint Michael College, Aliade, where he joined the College Choir. At Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, where he had gone for his masters, he took lessons in music outside his field of study. A passionate Catholic, he is a Knight of Saint Mulumba, which was conferred on him in 1993. He is also a Papal Knight, an honour bestowed by the Vatican.
The autobiography chronicles the author also as a man of the people, impacting communities across Igalaland, which has made him a recipient of many chieftaincy titles. Following the passing of the legendary Attah Igala, Ameh the Great, he was adopted into the royal household, which set the tone for his enduring bond with the people. Among his chieftaincy titles include the Ochai Amana Attah Igala and the Amana Attah of Igalaland, He was also awarded chieftaincy titles in Agenobode (the Osseseme of Weppa-Wano) and the Chinyelelugo of Agulu Umana in Enugu State. “This recognition, along with similar honours from the Idomas and Tivs in Benue State, underscored the far-reaching impact of my contributions,” he writes (p. 279).
After a glorious civil and public service career, the author officially retired in 1994/95 with his head held high. He rose to the position of a federal permanent secretary. “Integrity and impeccability were our watchwords. The accumulation of undue wealth was totally out of the way. We valued highly the precious name we had earned over the years,” he sums up his career (p.307). After his retirement, he floated Madonna Bus Service, a mass transportation business, and made steady progress; but the dishonesty of the bus operators, dwindling financial returns and safety concerns unsettled him, and made him rethink his investment.
The book has a chapter on the Second World War and Nigerian Civil War, with chilling tales of widespread sufferings, plus the Boko Haram bloody combat. LAMB, from the lens of those who know him well, such as family members and inlaws, grandchildren, and step children, is published in the thirteenth chapter. From them, you get to understand what Lawrence means to different people better. LAMB didn’t forget those who have mentored him at different junctures; thus, the chapter on “LAMB’s Special Mentors”. These include HRM Ameh Oboni, the 24th Attah Igala; Mama Anna Ache Braimah, HRH Francis Aguda Egu, Enegbani Gabriel Aguda Egu, Bishop Auguste Delisile, among others.
The author’s disenchantment with Nigeria’s undesirable, forward march to the precipice is captured in the Epilogue. He, however, advises that “the older generation, to which I am privileged to belong, has a duty to sound an alarm or some warning to help us find our way back on course, or risk a national doom” (p. 416). LAMB’s vivid recollection of the past, present and future makes an enticing read – a book that fulfills educational, historical, religious, communal and inspirational obligations from an elder statesman who has seen it all.
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