Shared Anguish...

Dear Pastor Elisha Olawale,

I saw the gruesome photos of the woman you loved; the reality you saw and broke down. This time, I could not move on. The silence of your tears called out to me...the blinding anguish on your face spoke to my being.

I will neither pretend to understand the burning anger in your soul, nor claim to have answers to the thousands of questions racing through your broken mind. So let the tears flow freely: I will not dare wipe them off. Let these grief-stricken drops unburden your heart. My only plea is that you permit me to feel your pain, hold your hand and share your tears.

My pain is heightened, with the knowledge that Madam Eunice was murdered for using her voice. Eager to share the good news of the religion she belived in, she abandoned the comfort of her family of 8 and took to the streets at 5am. From all available reports, we gather that proponents of another religion allegedly took it upon themselves to silence her forever...

To honour Madam Eunice, we would mourn and nurse our fresh wounds in peace. We would let the Law run its full course and obtain firm Justice, in order for her vibrant soul to rest. Nevertheless, when we are stronger, we will rise up together and mobilize our communities to stand for tolerance. With the deep void in our hearts, we will ensure that religion becomes our collective fixer, binder, and positive catalyst. From the ground up, all forms of violence traceable to the practice and defence of any religion would be expunged from our societies. Our anger must breed the change we crave and we must choose not to sink in the rivers of retaliation.

Only last month, we mourned with Pastor Agbahime in Kano, under similar circumstances. With Madam Eunice's eternal rest, we will say NEVER AGAIN...and mean it.

My heart goes out to Jessica. Please tell her to be strong for her 6 younger siblings. Journeying through the bridge of adolescence into adulthood will be tough without a mother. I know she is only 15 years old, but I am hopeful that she is strong and resilient like her mother - the apple never really falls far away from the tree.

It is not well, but it will soon be. All the condolence wishes and visits will not be enough to pull your shattered heart together. However, like every other deep wound, time would heal us...

Yours in Mourning.