Of Alice Band and Red

I remember the day in 1996

Yes I remember, as she just sat quietly there

She arrived early for my visit of Leo Clubs in Region 1

I knew not who she was, even though her name I was familiar with

She was the secretary of Eko Leo Club

And I the Leo District President

Her timely club reports I always read, without seeing the person behind them

But there she was, that October morning and I did not know

I remember her long hair, packed in Alice band

Oh, that Alice band!

It’s always been my memory of her

And, of course, her love for the red colour

So I remember today my friend of more than 12 years

And wife of more than eight

Even as she goes home

Transformed to meet her maker

Yes, I remember our good and bad times together

Our shared laughter and shared tears

I remember our jokes, our hopes and our fears

Yes, I remember my Jess even though she is no more today

* Tribute to my late wife, Jessie Obo Effanga on her burial September 4, 2009 in Abuja.