Emmanuel Barthan Nyeswa! Barthan! E-man! EBN!  DG! Boss! Fellow!  You are perpetually silent!  Whao!!!

All you did each time someone called you by any of these names was to smile. Today, I miss those extravagant smiles because you are not here to respond to your name. Since the news broke about your passing, it seemed like a dream but reality has finally set in and we must now find composure to retrospect on your life and legacy and say few words to memorialize you; even though it is difficult to do so.

Our nearly three decades of friendship and brotherhood came to an abrupt and a tragic end when I heard you have succumbed to the cold hands of death on that fateful morning of October 10^th , 2020 in a mysterious way. I am soaked in agony and grief over your passing because you meant a whole lot to me.

You taught and showed me that friends can be brothers; You taught and showed me that friends can be trusted; you placed your trust and confidence in me; you taught and showed me that a boss can be a servant; you took me to places; you connected me to good people; you added value to my life.  You were my friend, my brother, my mentor, my boss.  

You were humble; you were selfless; you were loving and caring; Your friendship and kindness had no borders; had no class. You received and treated everyone that crossed your path with respect and dignity whether small or big; poor or rich.

You were a boss who humbled himself and treated your subordinates like peers; you were a God-sent intervener in all kinds of circumstances;  your warmth and legacy will always remain with us,  even when the rain sets in or the sun fades out.

Your living was not in vain as attested by your legacy and the indelible footprint you left here. And we have lost one of the profoundly good persons you can ever share your life with.

May you ever live in our hearts; you were a true friend and a brother. You were selfless; you cared more about others than you did care for yourself. Your generosity was unmatched; you did not know how to say NO to people. Sometimes, you went out of your way to help and put smile on people’s faces even if you did not know them.  Serving humanity was your calling and you did it diligently.  For almost 30 years, I never saw you angry; I never saw you despise people; I never saw you refusing or failing to help; I never saw you being boastful or allowing pride to take over your humanity.

If you had not been a caring father, I would say do so if you come again.

If you had not been a good husband, I would say do so if you come again.

If you had not been am inspirational leader and boss, I would say do so if you come again.

If you had not been a loyal friend, I would say do so if you come again.

If you had not been a patriot, I would say do so if you come again.

But you accomplished so much while you were and now you belong to Heaven where there is no sorrow, no pain, no suffering and the angels are rejoicing because a “good and faithful servant” has returned to his Creator.

As you embark on earth’s lonely journey to the great beyond, I am confident your good deeds will speak on your behalf and you won’t be alone; for God’s angels will be there to see you cross the Rubicon. And when you arrive, please convey my sentiments to Comrades Professor Joe. W Mulbah, John Francis Whitfield, Teah Falcarthy, Augustine Nyeswa, Alexander Kolu, Albert Mendien, Victoria Christopher Cooper, Singbe Jonson, Sehgram Gomah, Moses Sonkarlay, Winston Kerkula, and all the other comrades who predeceased you. Tell them that the torch is still burning.

To Rebecca and the children and the entire family, we extend our profound condolences and we thank you for sharing this extraordinary man with us. We feel the excruciating pain Barthan’s passing has caused but we beseech you to take solace in the Lord for he giveth and taketh away.

May his soul rest in perfect peace; may his memory live forever.

Sleep on my dear big brother and take your rest till we meet again. Farewell!