Billionaire Tonye Cole Deeply Sad
Billionaire Tonye Cole is deeply sad at the moment.
The state of mind of co-founder and for group executive director of Sahara group – an energy conglomerate – has to do with the death of Uchechukwu Franklin Okeke, a young man he reportedly “adopted” after “he outscored everyone in Rivers State and came 3rd nationwide in JAMB”.
Referred to by Mr Tonye Cole as friend, son, mentor and brother, his remains would be buried today in Rivers State.
Devastated Mr Cole, a former gubernatorial aspirant in rivers, on his Instagram handle, wrote…
Today my son will be buried and I will not be there. Such is the pain of laying to rest the remains of one so loved and dear, his passing remains a mystery, his death a gaping wound in need of healing.
Uchechukwu Franklin Okeke is my friend. We became friends after I heard his name over the radio, when he outscored everyone in Rivers State and was 3rd nationwide in JAMB. Though the Government did not acknowledge this genius, God did and I recognized a bright star to be mentored and unleashed. I sought for this young man through Facebook and as providence would have it, someone close to me knew the family and took me to his house.
His mother reminded me after his passing that on the day we met, Franklin told us he didn’t think he had much time on earth and was in a hurry to accomplish so much. He was 16 years old. I recall that day and how he wanted to make his mark in robotics but was frustrated that Nigerian universities did not offer the courses to harness his dreams. I counseled him to search for a course which would provide a foundation he can build on, in a university that he can thrive within. Together we found Nile University, Abuja and Franklin’s transformation from a brilliant teenager to a man genius began.
We have many questions to ask of God but one thing I know for sure. I was visited by an angel and touched by a saint. God blessed us with Uchechukwu Franklin Okeke and he didn’t disappoint in fulfilling his mission on earth. God has reasons to call him back to Heaven and as much as my soul aches to see him alive again, my spirit rejoices that Franklin is eternally alive and sitting in glory awaiting the day I too can join him in heavenly bliss.
Adieu my friend, my son, my mentor, my brother. Till we meet to part no more.
