My Dear Conrad, Your tragic departure on May 15, 2012 after having driven all the way from Awka, to your house at Trans Ekulu, in the Coal city of Enugu, is very painful and devastating to me. I received the message in the midnight of the day the car crash happened, from your brother Achike. I could not believe my eyes when I read the terse message on my Nokia handset. I started to wonder what is this life all about. I could not fathom that you had joined our ancestors without giving us the option to discuss our current professional problems and exchange pleasantries with our “Ekwenti”. Please note that whatever I had achieved, in my life time as at today in “NTAAKUKO – JOURNALISM” profession in Nigeria, New Delhi – India and London you gave me the inspiration and courage as well. Focus to prod on. You made me to dump the idea of proceeding to FLORIDA, USA, to Study Journalism, rather you encouraged me to work towards studying the profession at the then and only Pioneer Journalism Institute in Ghana meant for Africans, which we established by the Pioneer Prime Minister of Ghana, Osaghefo Kwame Nkrumah in his blessed memory. I still remember vividly, after my Higher School Certificate (HSC) studies. Between 1970 and 1971, at the famous Christ the King College (CKC) Onitsha, I was one of those Higher School Certificate graduates, that were offered teaching job in the then Mid Western State at Benin City and I was posted to Saint Augustine’s Grammar School, Ibusa, - a co-educational school. I handled English Language and Literature for classes 1- 4 and 3 – 4 respectively. While in Ghana, you did everything in your power to ensure that I got admitted in your Journalism school. You followed this up by applying on my behalf to gain admission in this prestigious and only pioneer institute, then in Africa. The admission exam billed for Nigeria at the Kings College Hall, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. At the end of that year exercise, I was not selected. I vividly recollect that, you did not relent in making sure that I passed the second time by perseverance. Conrad, I still remembered in one of your letters after my first failed attempt in which you honestly encouraged and consoled me with these words “You should not be dismayed in your attempt to get any thing in life”. This spurred me on that with hardwork and prayers, I passed in the second attempt, of which the academic session began in 1974/75 session. I must honestly state that with my admission, your kindness did not end with this sincere and brotherly advise, you went further to inform the Dean of the school. Late Mr. Sam Arthur a prolific Journalism guru and Registrar of the school Mr. K. K. Kwatia, to always guide me. I find it difficult to believe that I am in a different country where they all took good care of me during my stay in Ghana. These two faculty boses took me as their own, and made sure that their attention they gave to you made me never to forget them and you Conrad. Conrad, you tried for me to gain the Journalism knowledge as well as now, a smart and sound intelligent communicator pedigree. You are an exponent of our Lord’s teaching, on “Love one another as you love thy self”. This injunction is an exceptional trait in you, which I had imbibed. Another aspect of this trait in you is exemplified when I graduated and returned to Lagos, you came to my Uncle’s house Mr. Oka Okwura, at Ayo Idowu Close, adjacent to Calabar Hall, Surulere, and informed me that you had secured a job in Lagos for me, in your Daily Star office, on Martin Street. The approval was given by the Headquarters in Enugu. I, Remember that my uncle commended you for this gesture and urged you to keep up your good work. Conrad, you lived a fulfilled life in the profession, which made you to excel in all the area you worked as Chief Press Secretary to some Military Administrators in the then East Central State; as well as Anambra State at Awka. Your passing on was the Lord’s doing, He felt you had accomplished his own duty on this planet so he decided to take you to live with him for good. All your class mates, professional colleagues especially Dr. Joseph Bel Molokwu, Austin Akagu, the Igwu of Nike, Chief Tony Ojukwu, Mr. Bayo Ajagbe and many others commended your peace, loving and humane disposition. Conrad, you are there now with the Lord, that you left so sudden is best known to our Lord. Sleep well till we meet to part no more. Regards No Du Mma Ka Omesia! Yours ever. LOUIS ETUKA CHUKE Festac Town, Lagos. Thurs. 28 June, 2012