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By Vincent Kalu
Tears flowed like raindrops on September 9, 2023, at the country home of Chief Jackson Agbai, in Abiriba, Ohafia Local Government of Abia State, following the arrival of the casket bearing the remains of his son, Abbah Jackson Agbai Abbah, a lawyer, who died last August 11, at the age of 24, in the United States.
The open air funeral service was conducted by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) at the same venue.
In his funeral message, entitled, “My thoughts are not your thoughts,” taken from, Isaiah 55: 6 -13, the former President of the Christian Council of Nigeria, and also the past Principal Clerk of the PCN, The Most Rev. Benebo Fubara Fubara-Manuel, noted that the ways of God are very different from that of man; and the same with His thoughts. According to him, “we have no power to question God for what He has done.”
He told the congregation that Abbah’s passage is a reminder to everyone that one day, it will be, “your turn, but the most important question is what would you be remembered for; will you be remembered by your good works or the contrary?”
From his biography, and tributes, Abbah was hewed from the stock of great men, who were destined for uncommon accomplishments. He had propelled himself and set on treading the path to sublimity, but death, the bad reaper, cut short the tall dreams.
Abbah was born on June 26, 1999, in Los Angeles, California, the US into the
Among others, he studied at Corona School, Gbagada and Atlantic Hall, Epe amd had an outstanding performance both in the West African Examination Council (WASC) and the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations. He also played the role of Obierika in China Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
In 2015, Abbah entered the distinguished halls of Bromsgrove School in the United Kingdom. As part of the delegation to the Lady Eleanor Holles School Model United Nations, he represented Nigeria with distinction.
“His talents stretched to the stage, where he acted in plays like “Hairspray”, “Othello” and “The Hound of Baskervilles.” He was also in the Bromsgrove school choir, earning second place in Bromsgrove’s Got Talent in 2016. He created https://elanoelations.wordpress.com a platform where he posted poems.
He also participated actively in debates, where his eloquence caught the attention of MP Gisela Stuart, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson.
In 2017, he graduated from Bromsgrove School as the best student. He studied Law at Durham University and graduated with second class upper division honours in 2020.
His leadership abilities came to the fore when he was elected president of Durham College Representatives at the African Caribbean Society. Under his guidance, the society thrived as a hub for cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
Beyond the campus borders, he served as the head of the Finimize Ambassador Team, a role that saw him representing Durham University at various university events on a global scale. His diplomatic skills and effective communication made him an exemplary ambassador, fostering positive relationships and sharing the university’s values with pride.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2022. Professionally, he embarked on a career at Clifford Chance as junior associate intern and was poised to expand his horizons by pursuing a dual JD/MBA programme at the Kellogg School of Management. Outside the academic sphere, Abbah’s heart for service was evident. As president of Teens in National Building (TIN-B) Nigeria, he orchestrated events promoting youth empowerment and fostered partnerships with corporate entities. His dedication to making a difference in his community continued as an active volunteer.
Abbah’s father, Jackson Agbai, a lawyer, in a tribute said, Abbah was an exemplary child, and every parent’s ideal child.
Abbah, he said, listened and obeyed. “He was not timid, as he interrogated issues and always had a perspective different from the ordinary. He would always suggest an alternative, if he felt the direction you suggested wasn’t appropriate. He made his suggestions in such a disarming manner. Though he was extraordinarily brilliant, he didn’t flaunt his intellect or make you feel inadequate. However, every encounter you had with him, no matter how fleeting was an opportunity for you to acknowledge his profound brilliance.
“While at Atlantic Hall, on a particular day, the vice principal, an Englishman, invited us to the school, he told us that he had taught in England, Kenya and India, and had never seen any child that showed the kind of brilliance Abbah exhibited in debates. He said the boy could be on any side of the debate and spin in a way that no other person could.
“Abbah was a study in courage, determination and perseverance. Once, during examination in Primary Four, he woke up feeling sick; despite my plea he should skip school for that day, he assured me that would take the examination that day. He went to complete the remaining examinations. During his final Part 11 examination, he went from hospital to take the first two days examination, in spite of our expectation that he was going to defer the examination till next year,” Jackson said. His mother, Dr. Emen Agbai, described Abbah, as her adviser and life coach, vociferous advocate and solicitor, property manager and business partner, and dancing partner.
His elder brother, Agbai Jackson, said it was Abbah that pushed him to chase his ambition as a soccer player, while also striving to become an engineer.
He noted that his encouragement “was a driving force behind my pursuit for success; his unwavering belief in me served as a constant reminder that I could achieve greatness.”
His younger brother, Imo, said, Abbah was his personal compass in life; his unwavering pillar of support. “Throughout my life, he played the roles of mentor, protector, and a constant source of sage advice, which I always cherished.”
Uba, his youngest sibling, said that Abbah possessed an impressive combination of qualities. “He was kind, sweet and had a natural talent for making money. His knowledge about finance was really mind-blowing, and he knew when and where to invest.”
People from different walks of life were there to commiserate with the Jackson Agbai family. Among them, were the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti; his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu; former Abia Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN; the CEO of Virgin Rose Hotels, Lagos, Chief Ebueme Ezikpe; Chief David Ogba Onuoha (Bourdex) and a host of others.
