I’m emotional doing this but I owe you, Harry, if only to put a closure to my long journey with you in so short a time. My meeting with you was just at the time I chose to make writing a habit and social media, the platform.

It wasn’t long before I realised the power of visuals as a tool to attract readers. It occurred to me that the mind works more with visual expressions before one takes a conscious decision to digest a literary work.

I have had my readers ask me before if I deliberately do photo shoots to promote my write ups. Ben, you were the answer to the question. Countless times, you would tell me, Sir, we need another photo session and you would bring your gadgets to my house for photo shoot.

You were an integral part of my writing sojourn. From my first book launch to the second. My third book launch comes up in a bit but you won’t be here anymore to do what you knew how to do best. What a cruel world!

Your photograph here says it all. This graphic designer must have been your partner in creativity. You combined simplicity with creativity. Rustic describes your style and it makes you more irrestistible. All these attributes are present in this graphic design, signifying your end. What will be left will be memories of you, Harry.

I was waiting for you to deliver a fantastic job you did, when you covered the funeral rites of another cherished soul, at my instance. The next call threw me off that you were missing, then the bombshell that my Harry was no more. That final outing remains my last memory of you.

Ben, you still look so alive and real to me in this photograph. The way you stare at me, pointedly, here leaves an impression in me that would remain indelible. Creative souls like you are needed more on this side of heaven to add fun to this cruel world that we live in.

Thank you Adekunle Abon, for making my path to cross that of this wonderful soul. I won’t stop asking you, Ade, if truly Harry would no longer be at my beck and call anymore when I have events to cover.

I will miss you sorely, Ben. I will miss your ingenuity. Surely, I will miss your carriage and comportment. You exuded an aura that made you easily lovable. You were such a humble, resourceful and ambitious young man. My wife will miss you, no doubt. You meant so much to us.

Travel safely, Harry. Goodnight our dear Benedict, the king of creatives.

©️Akin Oluwadare Jnr
25 September 2024.