In the past one and a half decades of its corporate existence, Ika Weekly Newspaper, has at various times and places painfully lost to the cold hands of death, some of its very dear stakeholders- friends, well-wishers, admirers, contributors and advertisers. And, in each of these sad events, sorrows, pains and tears had enveloped the organization as every death diminishes those that are living.
Yes, each life is important and all deaths are remembered with mournful disposition, but, we have never been shaken the way we were recently when the office received the news about the death of our very dear staff, colleague and friend, late Mrs. Sarah Abbey. She was 45 years old and has spent the last 9 years (2012 -2021) of her professional life working for Ika Weekly Newspaper.
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It will be significant to inform you now late Sarah Abbey, that we have cried over your death but be rest assured that our tears have been that of love. We were without a doubt shaken to our base but there can be no deep disappointment when we remember your good deeds.
Yes! We have wept. Our emotion has at intervals failed us. We have been struck by your death but we are not down. We mourn but we are neither hopeless nor hapless. Our faith in God your creator and your good deeds have been the spiritual salt that has prevented us from feeling the carnal taste of pains occasioned by your demise.
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For those that are familiar with the Ika Weekly Newspaper and what the late Mrs. Sarah Abbey stood for in the organization’s existential journey, the word ‘shaking’ could mean an understatement.
Like every other staff in the organization, she was hired precisely in the year 2012 as a librarian to among other responsibilities, manage the Public Library arm of the group. Upon resumption, she within the first few weeks demonstrated that she was laced with sterling virtues and attributes that go beyond her official responsibilities. As one of the oldest serving staff in the organization, she transverse different sections- Computer and Newspaper production, collation, distribution, archives, Finance and record keeping where to the admiration of all ensured early collation of the printed tabloid and prompted readiness of the copies for onward delivery.
Very remarkable also, throughout her stay as one of the oldest serving staff in Ika Weekly Newspaper, she demonstrated a passion for her purpose and practice of the Newspaper’s values consistently.
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She was good at multi-tasking and was never found on the wrong side of the law. Her love, care and concern for the entire staff is shown like a billion stars.
While the vacuum created in this direction will be too difficult to fill, there is in fact, one particular attribute of hers that will in many ways make the feeling of her demise too difficult to bear.
While working as the organization’s librarian, she, without prompting, saw opportunity in, and keyed into the Publisher’s vision of providing lunch for staff members every Wednesdays and Thursdays. She volunteered preparation of the lunch for the staff without default in her official/primary assignment. Her superlative performance in this capacity and seamless relationship with staff members earned her great accolades with many referring to her as the ‘Aunty-Sarah’ in the organisation.
Indeed, her death has not only caused dropping spirit among the management and staff, but remains an irreparable loss to the organization. We pray God Almighty to grant her soul eternal rest, Amen.