By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
Renowned Snakes management expert , Dr Edem Eniang have pledged his
commitment to increased research and conservation of snakes despite
the harrowing experience of the loss of his mother.
Eniang, an Associate Professor, Wildlife Resources Management/
Herpetology. Head Wildlife Ecology Unit. Department of Forestry &
Natural Environmental Management.University of Uyo, Uyo. Akwa Ibom
State who made this known to newsmen in Uyo yesterday said it was her
mother who taught him the rudiments of wildlife ecology.
Eniang who the head of the family said the burial of Madam Nyong
Archibong Eniang, mother would commence on Friday with friends night
at Grace of God Villa, BPC,Afaha Idoro, Idoro, Uyo, while funeral and
interment will place at Government Primary School, Mbak Atai, Itam,
Itu Local Government Area, Saturday 29th December .
In his tribute , the associate Professor describe his late mother as
the Incredible Lioness, Greater than Blue Diamond.
“My mother, my angel,, a mother greater than blue diamond, the
originator of a thousand Efik /Ibibio proverbs and idiomatic
expressions. My Goddess when working in the tropical rainforest of
southern Nigeria ! The mother who taught me the rudiments of forests
and wildlife conservation… The great grand -mother hen whose legs
never hurt her chicks.
“My mother who took all the risks to keep me alive during the Nigerian
civil war when other mothers threw away their malnourished, sickly and
crying babies, whose cries they feared will potentially reveal their
hideouts to marauding enemy soldiers. You kept me against the
admonition of other women who assured you that after the civil war,
you would probably her more children.
“You were mocked for my sake but you had long suffering and refused to
dump me for the dogs and vultures to devour. You chewed palm kernels
and used the milk to oil my dry and harmattan scorched skin. Yes with
native intelligence you taught me perseverance, honesty, respect and
love. The ‘incredible lioness ‘that will dare any adversary to protect
her children.
“You stayed the longest in the farm amongst community women. Even when
thunder storms were raging, you will insist it would not rain till we
return from the farm.. alas, before we ever get near the farm we will
be totally drenched yet you won’t give up or allow us to go back
home!In the midst of all the toiling and moiling in the rainforest,
you taught me the rudiments of wildlife ecology.
“You showed me the way to construct scarecrows to dissuade crop
raiding primates like mangabeys. Mother taught me how to use raw
onions to fish out land crabs from their holes. What more, you taught
me how to avoid snake bites while setting traps or collecting forest
resources for family. No formal education would have given me so much
exposure and choice of my profession. You gave all to make me who I am
today!
Concluding he said, “you waved me good bye on Sunday 21st October 2018
as I headed out on a long trip to the jungles, little did I know that
it would be the final goodbye. Mother, you fought the great fight and
you conquered. May the heavens bless your soul and give you
everlasting peace.”
