My International diplomatic, peace, humanitarianism and human rights advocacy life took solid shape with outstanding influence, tutorials and private talks from my distinguished uncle: Senator Dr. Jaja Anucha Wachuku, who was first African Laureate in Oratory of the Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland; first Speaker of the Nigerian Parliament-ie-House of Representatives- receiving Nigeria's Instrument of Independence-ie-Freedom Charter, on October 1, 1960 from Princess Alexandra of Kent, the Queen of England's representative at the independence ceremonies; and on a 1960 United States of America tour as House Speaker, Jaja Wachuku was presented with the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Blue Seal and Key to the City of Atlanta Georgia. Later, Jaja Wachuku became first Ambassador of Nigeria to the United Nations-hoisting Nigeria's flag as the 99th member of the United Nations on October 7, 1960; first African Chairman of a UN Conciliation Commission; first Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and CommonWealth Relations, later External Affairs, etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaja_Wachuku
In the late morning of thursday, November 7, 1996, Jaja Anucha Wachuku went the way of all mankind. He was 78; having been born in 1918. I was shaken and devastated. But I took firm courage; knowing that within the depths of my soul lies the overwhelming inspiration and spirit of excellence which he gave my being. Daily, by the second, I live with his humble life of love and achievement, his voice, his words, his pictures, and all that he taught my growing person. I will fight on. I will move ahead with love and excellence; if only to let him know that his trodden paths and life continue to touch mine deeply; just to re-affirm to him and to humanity, that as Thomas Carlyle, said: "No great man lives in vain". In tribute to this distinguished uncle of mine: Jaja Anucha Wachuku - Pa'm Jaja, I must rise each new day with unwavering spirit of love, humility in greatness, excellence and compassion to be who I must be! This poem: Some Memories Never Die is dedicated to this humbly outstanding uncle of mine: Jaja Anucha Wachuku.
