And Ken Died! By Nwachukwu Ngige

Today, Thursday, 6 March 2025, makes it exactly one week since my brother, friend, and former colleague, Kenneth Tersso Kyado, returned to the earth. I have fought relentlessly since February 8, 2025, when the sad news filtered in to shake off this overwhelming reality. Even as I followed his last journey physically and virtually from the service of songs at Maitama, Abuja on 23rd February to the solemn stops at Gboko on the 25th and 26th and finally at Ihugh on 27th for interment, Kenny G defied the literally perspective of Ecclesiastes 9:5 that “ the memory of the dead is forgotten.” This is because even as Ken remained “silenced” inside that beautifully ugly Californian red wood coffin, resting in a small corner of the vast Gyado compound at Ihugh, the Intimidating Kenny G, as we knew him in those good days at the Wadata Plaza National Secretariat of the PDP still resonated in the memory of all!

Nwannedinamba, for so I named you in 2008, if I don’t pen this tribute who would? If I don’t, will relentless nudging within give me a respite? I kept hearing you ask, “ Ndigbo, have all slipped, have I slipped from memory ?” Since fate brought us together that beautiful Monday morning, 14 February 2000, when I journeyed in a night bus to assume duties as Senior Publicity Officer at the then M-Tel Street Secretariat of the PDP, we have been brothers. For immediately, I left the Office of the National Secretary, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, where Chuks Akwiti ( now a lawyer) handed over my appointment letter, directing me further to the Publicity Department , where the rest was handled, both of us have been like two peas in a pod. I recall the star-studded department that Hon. Emmanuel Awan Ibeshi, from Cross River, a man impeccable on all counts headed. Democracy was indeed nascent with attendant eruptions of carryover of decades of military dictatorship. His work as the spokesman of the ruling party was more challenging, but he handled it all with finesse.

At the first increment in the price of petroleum product in March 2000, Ibeshi directed us to issue a statement distancing the PDP from the measure and strongly argued that “ Nigerians should not survive decades of march across the Red Sea only to be drowned in the River Jordan!” Very respected among the titans that were members of the NEC at the time , Ibeshi was very assertive on issues. I recall when the proposed meeting of the governors of the old Eastern Region scheduled to hold in Enugu was cancelled in March 2000 or so, Ibeshi was vocal in condemning the cancellation Ken used to ask me. “ Have you been to Ibeshi’s house in Asokoro? The man na power dresser. You can’t count his pair of shoes.” There was also Gbenga Olawepo, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, former student union leader and versatile journalist who in April 2021 led a vigorous campaign against the implementation of the tenure extension for NEC members in the proposed amendment of the PDP constitution. Then, Leo Semba Keyan, a foremost broadcaster and polyglot, former Managing Director of the Plateau Radio/Tv. His French is better than his impeccable English. Leo, who hails from Shendam in Plateau State, would later move on as the Director of the Hausa Service of the VOA. He was the National Director of Publicity. Again, Collins Muyiwa, a seasoned journalist who joined politics from the Champion Newspapers. Collins(May God rest his soul) a Lagosian was a protégé of Chief Bode George, the then powerful National Vice Chairman of the PDP, South West.

He used to intimidate everybody with “ I’m calling Commodore George right away.” Then the Iroko tree, Kenenth Tersso Gyado who joined the party service in 1998, hitherto, reporter with the Standard in Jos, then Protocol Officer with Senate President Iyorchia Ayu. He would always remind all who cared to listen. “I started working for the PDP when it had no name.” Ken was Senior Publicity Officer. My very self, Nwachukwu Ngige, who also came in as a Senior Publicity Officer with an deep field reportorial experience, having started freelancing with the old Anambra Broadcasting before attending the Jackson Institute of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria. After graduation, I continued freelancing with the ABS as well as MINAJ Systems Radio and Television, besides regular topical articles to national dailies, especially Vanguard. I later founded the Eastern Pilot in 1996. Before I left the Eastern Pilot in January 2000, I had established a stable, sustainable, and viable weekly, covering the entire South East.

The moderate success as well as prospects the publication had attracted Prince Arthur Ezeh, who sought to partner with us in 1998. Becky Ekine-Emueze was a publicity officer just like Musa Maiyaro, while Donald Itshu was the office assistant. Operationally, I and Ken formed the hub, the fulcrum of the Publicity Directorate of the PDP, for 15 years along which we worked with six different national publicity secretaries. We were not just brothers, our alliance was impregnable. Along, colleagues named us “the twin-engine of the Publicity Directorate.” We shared so many ideas, counselled ourselves, and went great length in mutual assistance. We fought wars together, won many battles, and lost few. Any wonder that I received a record 66 phone calls from far and near, on condolences over the shocking demise of Ken, yet I’m Igbo, yet, besides phone calls, we saw last in 2019 ! It is impossible to forget Kenneth Gyado. Our story, the story of days at Wadata where we spent the better part of our youthful energy, is a book of plenty pages, but I will do a summary here.

In the beginning, Leo Keyan was master of games. He effectively sat on our heads to ensure we got no access to the forward-looking Emmanuel Ibeshi. He tried to shield us so that national officers won’t link the high productivity of the directorate to the “twin-engine.” But Ken was a maestro with larger than life presence. He had links at the highest level. His towering personality made him a force to be reckoned with. Things came to a head one day in March 2001. It was NEC day, and the top of the resolutions that day was the commencement of party membership registration. I drafted a press statement from the NEC resolutions and was about to send it to the Director of Publicity when Ken came and told me that the Publicity Secretary was waiting for the statement. He added that it looked like he wasn’t happy with Leo and surmised it was an opportunity to warm up to him and prove our relevance. Within minutes, we were done with Ibeshi and press release dispatched. It would usually take Doanld Itshu thirty minutes to run around the bureau offices of all media houses in a chartered taxi. That was the means, then. Fax could waste more time. For features or opinions, we easily couriered them to Lagos using night buses. Who said Nigeria hasn’t moved forward? The next day, Ken told me that Ibeshi was very happy with my press release, that it was superbly written. He further said we should prepare the publicity budget for the membership registration campaign and bring it straight to him. Within an hour, Ken was done with the budget. He had uncanny ability to calculate, though he told me he failed mathematics. “I don’t know mathematics, but I effortlessly calculate any amount with accuracy,” he would always say with hearty laughter. The rest on the implementation of that budget became a history we always looked back to with relish. Only a slave waits for another to liberate him , according to Ezra Pound. That was the beginning of our liberation and thereafter vowed that there would be no wall between us and any other publicity secretary in future. “We obeyed superior directive” was our answer to Leo when he later came back from Shendam. From the fiery tempered Venatius Ikem, who succeeded Emmanuel Ibeshi to John Odey (may God bless his soul) Lady Imeh Udom, the inimitable Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali to Olisa Metuh, both of us were firm on our desks and worked smoothly all. However, though Olisa Metuh, brilliant, shrewd but decisive politician, was pleased with our competence, he suffered Macbethian uncertainty over our influence. He was uncomfortable and demonstrated it in some ways. Of course, he had a coterie of Anambra friends like Caesar Okeke and Okey Ezenwa urging him to cut us to size. They were his lady Macbeth ! Unfortunately, all the crew of media agentry and assistants he brought to diminish us from 2012-2015 ended up as professional inferiors, and we kept shining. I recall a day in November 2012, he assembled all of us, with his crew of sub-media consultants whom I don’t want to name here, before the great Professor Okey Ikechukwu. The Prof. lectured us for thirty minutes and asked everyone to do a press release. I have forgotten the topic. I stepped out to call Ken, but he bluntly refused to come, telling me it was a ploy to oppress and reduce us and that the persons Metuh assembled for the test were “half-baked obete people.” When we turned in the papers in 20 mins, Prof. Ikechukwu picked mine out of the lot and said others wrote ordinary essays! I called Ken immediately and told him what had happened. He laughed and thundered, “ Eze, have you confirmed what I told you? They are all obete people and deserve no competition with us.” But let me not fail to add that Metuh later in his usual openness acclaimed me, “ you really went to UNN.” He would reward hard work but reluctantly .

A moment here for Prof. Alkali, a Fulani and son of an Islamic teacher (Ulama) from Dukku in Gombe State. Untainted Nigerians of his ilk, unblemished in integrity and truly detribalized, should be entrusted with national leadership. Here was a Muslim from Gombe, and the two most senior officers of his department were all Christians. In fact, Alkali’s Special Assistant was Yahaya Abubakar, who unfortunately died, and he replaced him with a Christian, Elisha Engila, while his confidential secretary was Margret Maidawa! There was another Abraham Omachoko from Kogi who held his home front. Alkali did not see any reason to replace me as an Igbo, a Christian, or Ken, a Tiv Christian. He wasn’t uncomfortable with our influence. He told Ken in Hausa that a herder does not drink from the same pond with his cows otherwise they will learn to use their horns on him. He fully delegated all functions, and we passed uncountable nights in the office to give him results! Alkali called me to confirm if Ken was actually dead and was on my neck for a tribute, insisting we must be represented at his burial.

Back to the good old days of the PDP. One other day, Alhaji Iro Danmusa ( may God bless his soul) the Deputy National Chairman, North summoned us to draft a speech for his occasion. When we came down, Ken quipped “ but his S.A. is a Ph.D. holder,” and we laughed. At the NEC of April 2001, when the National Chairman, Barnabas Gemade caved in, broke down in tears over allegations by Gbenga Olawepo, Ken sauntered into the office after the meeting, feeling so sad. He explained to me that every Tiv is born brave and not given to expressing emotion in public. He stated that the advisers in the National Chairman’s office were meekly and that he wasn’t getting along with them.

Who did not know Ken in Abuja media and social circles ? He was always well off ! In 2000, when many young men who berthed Abuja with the nascent democracy were just getting started , Ken already had cars. He was a toast of everyone. The reporters our team interfaced with were also influential guys. They include Silas Udoh of Thisday, Sufuyan Ojeifo of Vangaurd, and Biodun Adeniyi (Prof. Biodun Adeniyi, now in Baze University) of the Guardian, Yusuf Ali and Tunde Rhaman in Punch , Obioma Awazie, I.K Onobu and Kudu Abubakar of NTA, Elder Matthew Ogbeche of Champion, Chuks Ohuegbe, Nosike Ogbuenyi, Wahab Gbadamosi (God bless his soul) Pius Ebohon and Azariah Kucha of the FRCN( may God bless their souls) Adebayo Bodunrin of the AIT, Sunday Ayami, Chuks Ehirim (may God bless his soul) the respected FCT, NUJ Chair, Amos Dunia and numerous others that have faded from memory.

Ken was too courageous that I had never seen him intimidated by anyone. He knew every governor elected on the platform of the party just like they knew him by his first name. Ministers and other party chieftains, too! We used to tease him to deploy the tools to secure our releases from Mr. Phillip Salawu, the party’s Director of Finance ( later Deputy Governor of Kogi State) He was the party’s compere, an orator, a responsibility he handled with panache. Before NEC meetings would be called to order, you would hear Governors like Ibori, Alamesiaya, Dariye among others asking him, “Ken where is Terry?” The mic in his hand was also a weapon against NEC members in his bad book. He would deny them recognition. I can’t recollect exactly, but Hon. Gabriel Suswam was our friend as a member of the House of Representatives, tipped to succeed Gov. Akume. We severally featured him in the Party’s Umbrella Magazine. His Legislative Assistant, Hon. Sam Odey, who is now Deputy Governor of Benue State and our mate at Master Degree Class at the University of Abuja in 2006, was always visiting Ken. When Suswam eventually became governor, they suddenly became enemies. Ken enlisted me in the battle and said we would use propaganda to diminish him at the party secretariat. He would reject my advice and fought on. Of course, I warned him he would be injured brutally. At NEC meetings, he would appear in very expense suits, of course London to him, was just like going to Lagos . Taking the mic across the front row where governors were and hailing all dignitaries, he would ignore his Benue Governor. He was stubborn to the extent that when Prof. Steve Ugba contested for governorship against Suswam’s second term, Ken did not only join Ugba , who enjoyed the patronage of former Governor Akume, he used his salary from Wadata to openly campaign for him ! In the office, he would be singing “ ugba nyoo, show change. Akume nyoo, show end! Unfortunately, Ugba lost! At this point, as his closest friend in the office, Gov. Suswam, once a mutual friend, also tagged me an enemy. I would beg Ken to go bow to him, he would swear that his clan of Tiv tribe does not bow to anyone. At a party assignment in 2014 in Benue, in the company of Chike Udenze(Jakada Lokoja), one of the most honest and contented politicians I have ever worked with, Gov. Suswam confronted me at the Governor’s Lodge. “ Ngige, who brought you here? You were my friend but joined Ken to fight me.” I replied that I did not and that I warned my friend not to. I somehow disarmed him with my defence, especially when Udenze intervened. Before I could get back to Abuja the next day, Ken called me, accusing me of selling out and sacrificing our ‘brotherhood.’(not secret society please) News can move very fast in political circles. I laughed and lied to him that Suswam spoke well of him. “I heard he gave you money,” he retorted. I laughed even more loudly and responded that I went on a party assignment and that for now, “I will fight whoever that fights Suswam”. I pressed further that Suswam was a good man and our friend, whom I met through him. He then made one revelation to me. “Eze,” he called me, “ Suswam made a promise to Olisa Metuh to work through the NWC and get me sacked.” He further told me that was the reason Tahav Agerzua, another Tiv, former staff of Champion newspaper, was brought as an assistant to Metuh, waiting in the wings to switch once “I’m removed.” He also stated that Emmanuel Agbo, the Benue State Chairman of the Party, was in the picture. But he added that Olisa refused. “ So, Eze, you sold out to the people who want to sack your brother?” I paused and later told him that it was not the case of Jonathan and Doras. Remember that Jonathan replaced Caiaphas as the high priest after the death of Christ and was very critical of the Roman Governor of Judea, Felix, for maltreating the Jews and taking bribes. Recall that Felix also attempted to take a bribe from Paul, who was incarcerated. Jonathan threatened to report Felix to Caesar Tiberius. Behind the scene, Felix bribed Jonathan’s best friend named Doras to arrange for his assassination. He succeeded as Doras brought in killers who stabbed Jonathan in the temple. I told Ken that Suswam did not sound very bitter, admitting that he treated me nicely when I encountered him. I encouraged him that we could reconcile fully with him since we still valued our jobs. Ken then reminded me of a story in Roman history, which I often recount – that Cato the Younger, cousin to Brutus, in BC 46, took his life rather than submit to Julius Caesar’s authority. I, however, disagreed there was an alignment in both cases. Ken was irrepressible, but he could beat a tactical retreat when necessary. The next day at NEC, he warmed up to Suswam, and the line earlier drawn was deleted. He later met the governor at his lodge. From Abuja to Gboko to Ihugh, Suswam stood till Ken was interred.

Anyway, when the time to play Cato the Younger came, we didn’t look back. The then National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh for reasons of mischief and diminution brought an academically inferior officer to head our department, an officer who had only school certificate when we joined the party service in 2000 and at that very moment, though had degrees but nothing close to Mass Communication or related discipline. We spurned him and quickly tendered our resignation letters.

Ken was a big bull of a man, perspicacious, brilliant, effervescent, bold, go-getting, and above all, generous. His grey matter was as huge as his body frame. He was one of the most brilliant persons I have ever worked with. He graduated from the University of Jos and used to recount his childhood to me. “ When I was in primary school in Gboko, I wasn’t brilliant each time results came in. But my mum had the key. She would bring me aside and assure that I was the brightest and that I only needed to pay more attention in class. “She easily exchanged the rod for the encouragement her child needed. It was magic. That was how I buckled up,” he enthused. Though he told me he made Second Class Lower Division at the university, Ken was first class material in delivery of any responsibility. All my children knew him. We were usually guests at his numerous parties at home, and he knew all of them by names. They used to marvel at his excellence and vivacity. I once told them that one didn’t need to make first class. Like Kenneth, make a good grade and ensure that the latent potentials God blessed you with is stretched to its limit, and you will excel.

Ken had an irrepressible spirit and spares no one or thing once his conviction is met. I met him as Catholic but would later join the city bandwagon. One day in 2009, we discussed Christianity. Of course, he knew full well my unrepentant faith in Catholic Christianity. He told me that even though he was out of the fold, he needed two things in his religious life. “ I want a Catholic wedding and Catholic burial.” I laughed and told him he would no longer have any of them since he was out of the fold. He retorted that his dear mum was the president of the Catholic Women Organization in Gboko Diocese. It didn’t take long in 2010. After taking his usual sumptuous lunch one day, He told me in a subdued tone. “Eze, my pastor wore 2000£ Ferragamo shoes to service yesterday. He stopped short of saying the pastor wasn’t spiritual. He was vastly travelled, in deed Ken travelled all over the world. He was in touch with the vogue. He knew what he said. The consequence was his reversion to Catholicism in which he was born. Ken had got both the Catholic wedding and solemn requiem mass, and he once told me was his wish in religious life. He died a strong Catholic. The clergy at his native parish at Ihugh described him as a pillar of support to the church.

But Ken, how can I forget you ? What of the day you accompanied me to Okene with Bar. Emeka Uwakolam and Barr. Kennedy Uche, where was my car involved in an accident? What of the day we travelled to Obudu for Venatius Ikem’s reception as National Publicity Secretary in 2002? Passing through Gboko, we ate from your mother’s pot. Chuks Akunna of Thisday was in our entourage as well as John Akpruishi Gum. Ken, how can I forget that I brought you to Igboland for the first time on October 13, 2000, at my mother’s funeral, barely nine months since we became colleagues? A night bus brought you and Louis Amoke, who was then a Youth Corp member in our office. Many years later, you kept reminding me of a seminal line in my tribute to my mother. “Opel nne m, mother in a million!” You would ask me why the sobriquet “Opel.” I will explain and explain. “ During the civil war, I as I was told, her foot was as swift as that of Opel car in that risky cross border trade (Afia attack!) I had hoped that one day, I will also read a provoking elegy Ken would drop for his mum, not knowing it was her tears for Tersso I would witness instead. What a sad world! Ever forthright, you would later tell me Onitsha was a land of high-rise buildings but very dirty. Of course, you would belie it by telling me you love the Igbo, the reason your only sister was married to an Awka Etiti man. I would retort that when we went for the National Chairman, Barnabas Gemade’s Thanksgiving in Gboko, phones were stolen in the church and that the entire environment was reeking of burukutu!

It was Seneca who said that there is no genius without a touch of madness. Ken’s madness was epicureanism. He knew no bounds when it came to enjoying life and pushing boundaries. But he was a righteous man by our standard as mere creation of the all-knowing God. God will not forget Ken’s legendary generosity. I recall a day in December 2014 that he gave a foreign currency to the pastor of the PDP Chapel, and the man of God ran amok, shouting. “ He that sows in dollars shall certainly reap in dollars! And that is Kenneth Tersso Kyado! The crowd of high low at his burial says better. In tears, Ken was interred with some villagers in his native Hugh, wailing, “ who will assist us, who will pay school fees for our children.” The soul of the righteous is in the hands of God. May God be with Ken and rest his great soul.