Commentary
“The lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime, and departing leave behind us footprints on the sands of time.”
That, in a nutshell, was the message of Pastor Olutayo Agunblade of Bethel United African Church in Somerset, New Jersey, to family and friends who gathered at the Belarusian-American Center, on Sunday November 7, 2010 for the 40th day ceremony and celebration of life honoring the late James P. Momoh who passed away on September 29, 2010.
Describing the late J.P. Momoh as a man who has left a great legacy; a man who has fought a good fight, Pastor Olutayo Agunblade urged all those present to emulate the good example of the late J.P. Momoh. He prayed for the family of the late man for continued strength and unity.
At the Belarusian-American Center on Whitehead Road in South River where Sierra Leoneans gathered this past Sunday, the late teacher, preacher, and catechist was remembered as “a great leader; a man who inspired and did a whole lot in shaping the lives of countless Sierra Leoneans. Mr. Joseph Njauja who served as chairman during the 40th day ceremony described the late J.P. Momoh as “the best dressed teacher in the whole school, whose trademark was a white shirt, white pants and white handkerchief.”
Mr. Njauja recounted how he first met the late man in 1963. “To his colleagues and contemporaries, he was known as JP; to his students, he was known as Teacher Momoh,” Mr. Njauja said. He described the late J.P. Momoh as “a perfect gentleman - intelligent, tall, and very jovial.” Mrs. Theresa Njauja, a sister- in- law of the late James P. Momoh recalled how she used to be the go-between; delivering messages from the late man to her sister. She described late J.P. Momoh as “a very loving and caring husband.”
To underscore the point made by Mrs. Theresa Njauja, Mr. Joseph Njauja said the late J.P. Momoh was a man who believed that what you don’t have, you cannot give. “But J.P. Momoh had one thing – and that was love for his wife. And what endeared most to the countless people whose lives he touched was his honesty and simplicity.”
Sheku Jawara, a son- in- law, described the late J. P. Momoh as “a father; a strong pillar of support; a source of strength and courage.” Mathew Momoh, described his late father as “a great dad who taught me a whole lot about life.” Theresa Lamboi, in expressing her thanks and appreciation for the tremendous outpouring of support from family and friends said: “though not my biological father, he was more than a father to me.”
Mr. Sekou Dauda Bangura in paying tribute to the late James Momoh echoed the words of that great hero of Greek and Roman mythology, Ulysses, when he said “Though much is taken, much abides.” He said “the late teacher was a great man, who remained steadfast in doing what is right – educating people not only in mind but in morals. The final vote of thanks was given by Frank H. Foray, grandson of the late James Momoh. He thanked everyone for coming to honor his late grand father.
The late Mr. James P. Momoh was born in Makama village, Tonkolili District in the northern region of Sierra Leone, to the late Tutu Momoh and Daniel Momoh, on January 21, 1936. His parents relocated to the southern province where he received both his elementary and secondary school education.
After graduating from Bo Teachers College, he taught at various schools, and finally at Njala Komboya primary school where he met the love of his life - Marie Momoh, fondly known to him as M.A. They moved to Makonthadeh in the Tokolili District shortly after their matrimonial union.
At Makonthadeh, he taught for a while and became a Catechist with the Roman Catholic Church. He was the local preacher in the whole Bumbuna area. Due to his hard work and dedication the priest in that region, Joseph Berton, gave him a whole village to administer; he was head of the Catholic Mission at Mayoroh - a position he held at the time of his death.
The rebel war that devastated whole towns and villages in Sierra Leone forced him and his family to settle in Freetown, where he continued serving God. A devout Christian, a loving and caring family man who dedicated his entire life serving others, the late J.P. Momoh was father to many children.
He is survived by his loving wife Marie Momoh; Children: Theresa Lamboi, Veronica Jawara, Matthew Momoh, Mark Momoh - all in the United States of America; Charles Momoh, in Spain, and Cecilia Momoh, in Freetown. Nephews include Daniel Turay of Makeni and Kebbie Koroma in Freetown; Nine grand children and one great grand child. Close friends include Father Berton and Chief Alimamy Bangura of Mabonto. He also leaves behind a large extended family that includes the Dabor, Koroma, Momoh, Kobba, Njauja, Conteh, Jawara, Turay, Coleman, James, Dumbuya, and Kaloko families in Freetown and the United States of America.
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