Family, Friends, Ita Uruan community, associates bid Late Prof. Umoh farewell.

It was a litany of encomiums, eulogies and tributes as remains of late Prof. Bernedict Umoh were on last Friday laid to rest at his Idoro road residence in Uyo.

If the dead could be brought back to life by a sheer number of eulogies, encomiums and tributes, late Prof. Bernedict Umoh would be walking on his two legs now as we are talking, for there was a basket full of them. The eulogies, encomiums and tributes poured freely from left, right and center, from the low, high and mighty beginning with the family, Ita Uruan village community followed by professional associates and others.

Of all these, one thing was common: late Professor Bernedict Iyamba Umoh was a man of humility whose academic attainment was never a barrier to him relating with anybody.

A comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, a blood brother, Mr. Paul Etiubon Ekpenyong who opted to speak on behalf of the family, described the deceased as a father figure, a true friend, an adviser and a confidant.

“Our brother was a humble and selfless man  who related freely with all of us in the family as well as other people who, for one reason or another, came in contact with him. He was a father figure who took responsibility in sending us to school. We are what we are today because of him. My two brothers, one a director in NNPC and the other with NDE can attest to this fact”, he said.

Describing him further as a man who stood for justice, equity and fairness, Ekpenyong mentioned the legacies of his that he will remember and imbibe for the rest of his life to include his unwavering stance and commitment to defending the legacy of their late father: the supremacy and worship of God Almighty and the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

The second is to take care of every human being and see them as God’s blessings to mankind. To share whatsoever we have with others and know that it is not meant for us alone.

He recalled that in the last few months his late brother spent on earth before his final exit to the great beyond, he had quality time praying, sharing scriptures and keeping vigils together, sometimes virtually.

However, since death is a necessary end to every mortal which comes when it comes, he had no option but to bid his beloved brother farewell.

Drawing strength from the previous speaker, a compatriot, a career diplomat and former Nigerian ambassador to Equatorial Guinea from 2011 to 2012, His Excellency, Amb. Dr. Gregory Obot Okon had this to say about the fallen academic Colossus:

“I think late Professor Bernedict Iyamba Umoh was born a professor. He taught me many things, before I became a diplomat he had already taught me acts of diplomacy.

I grew up to see him as my role model.  I don’t think late Professor Umoh ever had a quarell with anyone in the village. I am from Ita Uruan same village with him and I never witnessed him exchanged banters with anybody, big or small.”

Okon who was seen running round to make the burial a befitting one that it was, remembered the late Professor for his humility and down to earth character which endeared him to all in the village and outside.

Late Professor Bernedict Iyamba Umoh was born seventy six years ago to late Chief/Mrs Ekpenyong and Nkoyo Akpan Umoh of Ita Uruan, Uruan local government area.  He attended the village Primary school for his primary education, St. Columbanus secondary school, Ikwen and Holy Trinity secondary school, Mbiakong where he obtained the West African

School Certificate and then proceeded to St. Patrick College, Ikot Ansa, Calabar for his Higher School Certificate.

His quest for tertiary education took him to Fort Valley State College, United States of America where he studied up to PhD level specializing in Ruminat Nutrition.

Upon his return to Nigeria, he worked with University of Maiduguri and later transferred his services to University of Cross River state, Ogoja campus.

Upon establishment of University of Uyo he moved over and became a fullfledged professor in 2004 and retired later.

Even though he retired he was not tired and had to pick up another appointment with Akwa Ibom state University where he worked till death.