‘Knock knock’
I walked to the door and opened it.
A tall man, with broad shoulders filled the door frame.
‘Hello’ he said, ‘I’m here to see Mr Idiare Atimomo’.
I said ‘welcome’ and ushered him into the room, leading him to the table that served as our work area.
I sat down opposite him, waiting for him to speak and then said ‘thanks for coming sir’
He paused and said ‘can you get him for me, Idiare atimomo ?’
I was confused and realized he didn’t know what I looked like.
‘It’s me sir, I’m Idiare atimomo’
He seemed stunned for 3 or so seconds and said he expected someone much older.
The year was 2004. I was 23 years old, at my first job post NYSC and here was a man I had sent my book manuscript to via email.
He was a man I would come to respect, Bishop Godson Adimeme.
You may be wondering how I met or knew about him ? Let me tell you the story.
2003 was my NYSC service year (National Youth Service Corp for non Nigerian readers). I had been posted to Katsina Ala in Benue state working as a Children’s missionary (story for another day). An idea for a novel had gripped my mind towards the end of my final year in university.
With lots of spare time to kill in far away benue I started writing the novel that is today ‘War By Other Means’. I would write every night with a kerosene lamp for illumination and finished the novel in about a week or two.
I then began wondering how I would print this book. In that time I stumbled on a book by Dr Yongi Cho, I loved how it looked and the embossed cover page. At the back of the book was the name Godson Adimeme and an email address. He was the publisher/printer of Dr Cho’s books in Nigeria. As had become my nature, I wrote down his name and email with the intention of getting him to publish my book as well. I didn’t know when or how I would even have any funds to do this but I wrote it down all the same.
Recall this was 2003, email was barely a thing and GSM lines were 2 years in operation in Nigeria.I had sent a few emails — this new interesting way of reaching people — so I was pleased this publisher had included his email on a book he helped publish and distribute.
When I finally finished service in February 2004, I got a job almost immediately at a boutique consulting firm, I thought maybe it was time to start saving up to publish my book. I typed it out on a computer and had it as a file.
I then mailed Bishop Adimeme.
That reply set the stage for the encounter that began this article. He said he was amazed I had written such a profound book, he expected the writer to be at least in his 30s or 40s.
His email was like rain in the desert for me, then his comment on seeing me was like deluge of affirmations. I was barely starting a career and felt I wasn’t moving as fast as I would have liked and of course more money would have been nice. That someone as old and well travelled as he was had read something I wrote and genuinely seemed impressed was all a bit too much for me.
I treasure the memory of that day to this day.
This brings me to the reason for the piece. The need for older, more experienced professionals to shine light on those coming behind us. To not only point out the foibles of their generation as many of us love to do but to celebrate them, that kind word, the article shared, the reference given and just even the time spent listening to them is incredibly affirming.
Bishop was true to his word and helped print my first run of ‘War by Other Means’ at what I am sure was a financial loss to him in 2006. He kept encouraging me and reminding me not to give up on the dream of publishing it in that 2 year period. By the time I did publish, I had changed careers and was sure I was on the right path.
We lost touch over the years and as I settled down to write this article I went looking for him on Facebook, that last outpost of connecting with long lost friends. Turns out he passed away April 2021.
I would have loved to speak with him once more but sadly that wont happen.
I do know he would appreciate me penning these words, rousing someone, anyone to give a young person coming up a kind word and a steady hand.
If that’s all you do, you would have done a lot
Let’s give the young hope in themselves and their abilities.
Bless up.
