He did not have a frame that would frighten Goliath. A David he was in size, but he never took on an imperial Dravidian cant, in expression. Yes he served the Nigeria people with courage, a great heart of compassion and amazing conviction. He was Beko Ransome-Kuti, medical doctor and soldier for justice.

When his death was announced recently, the impression that was etched unto my consciousness was not from our numerous meetings. It was not even of our last meeting just before Christmas as we met to discuss budget monitoring in Nigeria. The image that stayed fixed in my inner gaze was of a season of despair and the great resistance in 1993/94.

We had just founded the Concerned Professionals (CP) to anchor 'The Resistance'. Our head cell for CP used to meet on Norman Williams in South West, Ikoyi, so close to the erstwhile seat of power, the Dodan Barracks. In those dark days much counsel went out to members of our group about personal security and how to move around.

It was, therefore, a matter of great amazement when before one night time meeting called to network with other "Freedom Fighters" we saw Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti arriving from our lookout spot upstairs. He violated every code of the security drill. He came alone, driving himself in that modest automobile. It was an immediate lesson in courage and commitment.

As I reflected on those moments I could not but think of that admonition to fear not those who can harm the body but can do nothing to the soul. You wonder if the trouble with Nigeria is not that there are too many of us who fear those who can destroy the body and are not the one who can deal with the soul. But, as Adams Oshiomhole, that other noted freedom fighter, pointed out on February 6 at the CVL annual lecture, some of us are so afraid to die that we have allowed conditions that have inadvertently empowered some to run our lives in ways that are systematically killing us. One other friend of mine put it more graphically. Because we are so afraid to die we have unwittingly conspired to encourage a genocide in which we and our children are the victims and potential victims, the ultimate penny wise, pound foolish nightmare. Beko Ransome-Kuti was not of the clan of those guilty by acquiescence. He never feared to stand up for what he believed in.

Courage, do not be afraid, John Paul II repeated often through his eventful papacy. In many ways Beko Ransome-Kuti reminds us of those words of exhortation. It is a time not to be afraid to do the right thing in Nigeria. Making whatever sacrifice we must make to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams; rapid economic growth; social harmony; respect around the world and a citizenry with the right work ethic and respectful of the dignity of the human person is what we must be focused on if we are to do justice to the memory of Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti.

The appropriate epitaph to this titan, in a gentle frame should be much like the quote from Victor Hugo which another champion of our nation building struggles sent to me by cell phone text at a recent anniversary of my birth. It reads: "There is only one power, conscience in the service of justice, and there is only one glory, genius in the service of truth". This is what he lived.

In a sense his passing marks a closing stage in the times of the originals - the Kutis, their fighting spirit and the essence of civil society. Associational life needs leaders if the people are to be shielded from the corrosive effects of the direct impact of power in the state, any state but, especially if it is the state in post colonial Africa. The Kutis, and this particular Kuti, gave special colour to associational life and brought meaning to the existence of many who are helpless in the face of power. Surely Nigeria will miss this soft spoken but strong willed man who held up the legacy of protest as a path to progress, a legacy inspired by his mother and given special meaning by his late brother, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. You can say regarding a man like this, death where is your sting? We will miss him, but we must keep his candle lit and keep passing it on, especially as we know that a candle loses nothing when it lights another candle. So let the light shine and scatter the darkness over this land. Farewell freedom fighter.

• Prof Utomi is of the LBS, Pan African University

Robot  Villager

# 1 HE did not have a frame that would frighten Goliath. A David he was in size, but he never took on an imperial Dravidian cant, in expression. Yes he served the Nigeria people with courage, a great heart of compassion and amazing conviction. He was Beko Ransome-Kuti, medical doctor and soldier for justice. When his death was announced recently, the impression that was etched unto my consciousness was not from our numerous meetings. It was not even of our last meeting just before Christmas as we met to discuss budget monitori...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 17.02.2006 07:48

Citizen Tony

# 2 Good men are good men, they do not need to hire professional image makers to launder their image. Beko and his brothers were very good men. Professionals in their chosen fields yet always eager to ameliorate the poor condition of others. We salute their patriotisim and courage. May they find eternal peace. We need capable replacements, men of courage to continue the fight Greetings to Prof. Utomi and Isioma. Posted by Citizen Tony| 17.02.2006 09:44

emj  Villager

# 3 Good talk pat utomi, indeed Dr beko ransome-kuti has found peace. We that are left behind cannot find peace till we go back to our maker. But we can live in peace if the environment is made conducive. We go through so much hardship, and our govt does not seem to care. Anyway, it shall be well with our people and our nation Nigeria Posted by emj| 17.02.2006 19:24