A Patriot’s Exit: In Memory of Bros Jesutega Onokpasa Esq.

“Death is a necessary end…” so says William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar (Act 2, Scene 2). Yet, even in its inevitability, some deaths strike with a weight that lingers—because of the lives they interrupted, the voices they silenced, and the promise they carried.

Such is the case with Bros Jesutega Onokpasa Esq.—a man whose intellect, passion, and commitment to justice left an imprint that time cannot easily erase.

His life was one devoted to patriotism and to the unflinching struggle for the total emancipation of humanity. Jesutega’s journey was not only excellent but sacrificial, marked by an unwavering commitment to causes larger than self.

I first met Jesutega in 2012, when both of us were invited by Rt. Hon. Engr. Victor Ochei Esq to serve as aides—an assignment we discharged credibly and loyally until we each moved on in due time. We became more than colleagues; we were on speed dial for each other—buddies in every sense.

Jesutega was the one who brought out the writer in me. He patiently walked me through the nuances and mechanics of article and feature writing. His influence on my intellectual growth remains unmatched. Even when our political orientations later diverged, our bond held firm. He was a man of deep conviction, but his heart was open—always willing to engage, to listen, to reason.

He celebrated every good cause. Jesutega was profoundly proud when I got called to the Nigerian Bar. I still remember our last conversation—April 23 this year—while I was visiting my family abroad. In his usual jovial tone, he asked after my wife and the kids. Little did I know it would be our final exchange. What a way to say goodbye.

Jesutega stood tall until the very end. Though he appeared visibly worn the last time I saw him on Arise TV, his passion remained undimmed. His was a life well lived, even if brief.

It would be remiss of the President Bola Tinubu’s government he helped bring to power to respond with only glowing tributes in press statements. More is expected. A deliberate and tangible gesture should be made to support the education of his children—a cause he held dearly in life. That, more than words, would honour his legacy.

To his family, political associates, and all who drew strength from his courage, I extend my heartfelt condolences. May the Almighty grant his soul eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss.

Adieu, Senior Bros. You lived, you fought, and you inspired.

– Dr. Michael Tidi Esq

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