Lord Bongo Laid to Rest in Dallas
Dallas, August 16, 2010. On Saturday, August 14th, one of Sierra Leone’s most popular and funniest comedians of all time, Godfrey Manley-Spain alias “Lord Bongo” was laid to eternal rest at the Golden Gate funeral home where friends, relatives, community leaders and Sierra Leoneans of all stripes and color congregated to bid farewell and pay their last respects. (Photo: Pastor Solomon Kaiwu)
Notwithstanding the circumstances surrounding the comedian’s untimely death and the immediate spitefulness and animosity it garnered, the huge turnout during the funeral service demonstrated the apparent readiness to move on in the Dallas Fort worth community. This signifies that the healing process will enable all to put on a cloak of forgiveness when they turn to a new page in the community’s chapter. Most people believe that, though the grief is not going to be an easy process to bear but they equally believe that Lord Bongo is departing for an eternal life, a life that is better than this world.
A befitting tribute was paid by Donald Nat George (Dandogo), Bongo Johnson’s comedian nephew, for the sudden departure of his uncle. On behalf of the Professionals, he compassionately asked all to support the bereaved children and their guardian, Agnes During, during their difficult moments. He further claimed that the home going gathering for Bongo Johnson is a celebration of the significance attached to the two lives that lived with us.
Donald Nat-George (Dandodo)
In his tribute, he also enumerated the history of the Professionals; a comedian group which he said was formed at a period Sierra Leone was economically and socially at its knee. He highlighted some of the significant roles played by the group in bringing laughter to the nation as a way to alleviate its plight and give hope to those who have lost all hopes especially during the dark days of the NPRC regime. The nation classified them to be celebrities at the time, a status and respect that he arguably enjoyed up to his death.
“Dandogo” appealed to the community in the Dallas Fort-Worth area to come together again and bury all doubts and differences for the good of the children. He implored community leaders to set aside, as soon as possible, a day of prayers so that in his words, “there will never be any recurrence of this nature again”.
Nanette Thomas, President of the All People’s Congress in Dallas, whose purpose for humanity transcended all emotional judgment much to the admiration of many in the community spearheaded the effort in giving a befitting burial to “Lord Bongo“, at a time when some clearly pushed for an abandonment of the deceased by withholding financial contribution. Once again, Ms Thomas rose up as a true leader in the Dallas community to do what was morally right at the moment regardless of what others perceived.
Nanette Thomas (APC Texas)
In her tribute, Nanette Thomas, who many people called “the iron lady”, made a direct but heart rendering tribute to the late comedy super star. “The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Godfrey and his spouse, Claudia, should be left with God to judge”, she added. The APC Dallas chapter President, who was instrumental in ensuring that Lord Bongo is buried respectfully, rallied Sierra Leoneans all across the United States including the Sierra Leone Mission to the United Nations in New York and the Embassy in Washington to raise funds for the burial of late Godfrey Manley-Spain.
She further noted that at the moment, Sierra Leoneans should explore with sensitivity and wisdom the complex situation faced by the bereaved children which according to her, “the severity of their problems is beyond dispute”.
In his sermon, the officiating clergy, Pastor Solomon Kaiwu of the Ark of God International Church centered his sermon on “How to live well and die well”. He admonished the congregation that God does not want his people living long lives down here on this earth without doing the right things. He went on to say that there is a particular blessing that God can grant to us if we meet certain conditions under the covenant made with Jesus Christ.
Pastor Kaiwu also stressed in his typical style that if we want to live well we must live for Jesus. He ascertained that, death is a necessary end, and that all forms of death is natural. “No one can disapprove what God has approved”, he concluded.
May God bless the memory of Godfrey Manley-Spain, forgive him and may eternal light shine upon him.
Sanpha Sesay & Christian Sesay, Dallas, Texas, (Photos by: Leslie Rickford)
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