In His Passing, I’m Coming To Understand The Scope Of What Nimi Was All About – Ninah Nimi Briggs

It was a carnival like atmosphere, as the creme-de-la-crème of Kalabari, Rivers State and beyond besieged Abonnema, the Headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area as they defied the heavy downpour to bid Emeritus Prof. Nimi Dimkpa Tobin Briggs, final goodbye on Saturday May 20, 2023. He was aged 79 years.
Ninah Nimi Briggs, the first child and only son of Prof. Nimi Briggs eulogized his father, stating that Prof. Nimi Briggs touched lives.
“I’m only in his passing coming to understand the scope of what Nimi was all about. To all intents and purposes, I only knew him as Daddy. Yes, I know a lot of what people are saying because I’m his son, I know all these things in pocket. To see the full spectrum of it from an international audience, federal and state government level to the community, Abonnema, the quality of people that attended the burial rites is a testimony and reflection of the way he affected everybody’s life.”
Arch Nimi Briggs further stated that the burial rites of his late father which began in the United Kingdom, is a validation of the person he was, the many qualities he had in him, adding that he will surely miss the companionship, shields and the friendship they shared.
Officiating the commendation service, the Primate and President of St. Paul’s Nyemoni Lutheran Cathedral, Abonnema His Eminence, Most Reverend (Dr.) Nimi Benson John Fyneface, recalled how in 1975, Prof. Briggs’ father employed him as a parish worker and in 1980, recommended him for pastoral training which he finished in 1984 to come and assist him. He noted that if not for his recommendation, he would not have had the opportunity to go to the United States of America for his ministerial training and worked under him as an assistant minister until he died before taking over from him.
“My elder brother Emeritus Prof. Nimi Briggs was a wonderful, gentle and extra-ordinary man just like his father and born into a Christian family. Though, no man is perfect, he tried and lived a very good life and he helped others to fulfill their destinies.”
The Lutheran Primate said the demise of Prof. Briggs is a personal loss. “I will miss his advice. To lead a church and denomination is not a joke and he is one of the pillars giving me support to carry on in leading the Lutheran Church in Nigeria.”
Dignitaries who graced the funeral rites were Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Deputy Governor of Rivers State who represented the governor, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, Secretary to Rivers State government, Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, Sen. Andrew Uchendu, Prof. Ngozi Odu, Deputy Governor-elect Rivers State, Mr. Roland Sekibo, Chairman Akuku-Toru LGA and a host of others from the academia.