A Heartfelt Farewell To My Dear Friend, Solomon Arase

The passing of Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, CFR, has near maine profoundly shaken. He departed acold excessively soon, leaving down not lone a towering bequest but besides cherished memories that proceed to disturbance my heart.

Only days earlier his transition, helium had work a illustration portion astir himself connected Newspot Online Newspaper published connected 16 August 2025. Almost immediately, helium rang me, funny to cognize the author. When I told him it was my nephew, Olugbenga Adebamiwa, helium requested Gbenga’s number. Upon speaking with him, Solomon expressed heartfelt appreciation for the article. His words inactive echo vividly successful my mind:

“Thank you, Gbenga, for that beauteous piece. Not galore get to work good tributes astir themselves aft leaving office.”

He adjacent spoke of inviting my nephew to a motorboat – a committedness that, alas, shall ne'er beryllium fulfilled.

For me, Arase was not conscionable a friend; helium was a member successful spirit. Our enslaved stretched backmost to his aboriginal days arsenic Personal Staff Officer to the precocious IGP Tafa Balogun. Though our careers took america down antithetic paths, his insatiable thirst for cognition and his warmth drew america close. He ever addressed maine affectionately arsenic “Egbon Folu.”

I retrieve vividly however helium stood by maine during my 70th day solemnisation 4 years ago, offering unwavering support. He would often punctual maine to instrumentality my prescribed supplements, urging maine to enactment healthy. Such was his attraction – practical, thoughtful, and profoundly human.

When helium was appointed Inspector-General of Police, his excitement was palpable. “Egbon Folu, we got it!”he exclaimed. I replied simply, “To God beryllium the glory.” Our relationship was ne'er astir worldly gains but astir shared values, communal respect, and a imaginativeness for a amended Nigeria.

Arase’s passionateness for reforming the Nigeria Police was unmatched. He dreamt of transforming the instauration into 1 of the finest successful the world. Beyond his work successful uniform, helium excelled arsenic a lawyer, establishing a modern ineligible chamber, and arsenic an author, penning works connected authorities and information – astir notably Readings connected Election Security Management.

Today, arsenic I constitute these words, it is hard to reconcile myself to the finality of his passing. I tin inactive perceive his acquainted voice: “Egbon Folu, however are you today?” Though I shall perceive it nary much successful this life, I volition treasure our enslaved forever.

Farewell, my beloved person and brother. Until we conscionable again, whitethorn your psyche remainder successful cleanable peace.