SOLOMON ARASE AND FINALITY OF DEATH
The passing of Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase on 31 August, 2025 compounded my eternal mystery over the last 73 days. I had lost my immediate elder sibling, Ras Johnson Ikhide, the music activist, on 19th July, 2025. His untimely demise at age 53 was worsened by Arase’s painful transition.
It was followed by a serious accident with a truck in my car on August 27th, 2025 on our death-trap called roads. I have been to hell and back! For a fact, I have never be afraid of death and its untimeliness, life’s vanity and its vanishing entrapment. But I’m dreadful of death’s irreversibility, the morbid conclusion and its absolute finality.
Death’s finality can have a profound impact on those who are left behind. The irreversible nature of death, where an individual’s life comes to an end, and there is no possibility of revival or return, can be a difficult concept to grasp.
The moment of grief and bereavement are natural responses to death, as I’m experiencing the range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and acceptance over the passing of these two great souls.
Surviving this grief-soaked bitter moment reinforces my belief in families and friendship without which navigating the emotional and psychological impact of loss in the labyrinth of death would have been hugely depressing and traumatizing. Reflecting on the legacy of Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase and Ras Johnson Friday Ikhide is the finest ways to honor the cherished memories I shared with them for my weakened bones, soul and spirit.
The shocking and sudden demise of Ras Johnson Ikhide reminds me of our shared belief system and parallelism of transiting from physical sphere into spiritual realm as he roams and reincarnates nine or ten times in a new form without inhibitions, in the vision of his prophecy, as a mirror through which humanity sees itself.
Losing Dr. Arase’s philanthropic initiatives with thousands of indigent students as beneficiaries of his free scholarship program, and as one of the very best Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Nigeria has ever had is literally evicerating. Having such an extremely forensic ultra-brilliant individual, experienced, shed professionalism, selfless, humble, mature and a naturally liberated soul whose blemishes resonated in adorning the objectionable Nigeria Police uniform for 35 years in service, should be a study in the nation’s security architecture.
Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase had respect for the dignity of all the individuals he came in contact with in the course of his duties. In his interface with people he was an embodiment of integrity. His dedication to his job and fantastic motivation for self improvement which are characteristics of great Police Officers right from the beginning of his career made him well suited to function as Principal Staff Officer (PSO), to three former IGPs.
May their illustrious souls rest in the bosom of eternal timer till we meet to part no more!
Erasmus Ikhide, ikhideluckyerasmus@gmail.com
