Tribute: Farewell James 'Gringory' Iroha

By Cordelia Okpei

The only encounter I had with Mr James Iroha was in late August 2011 when I conducted a telephone interview with him. This interview was all about Christy Essien-Igbokwe who had just passed on. His voice was needed for the radio tribute. He sounded all lively and excited as he took me through the creation of Masquerade during his days in NTA Enugu in the mid ’70s and how he had discovered Christy Essien who he said suited the role of Akpena perfectly.

In the course of the interview, he had showed interest in the current trend of the entertainment industry but lamented that, no thanks to his sight that he had completely lost; he could no longer be a ‘player’. I had seen a reiteration of this same pain in an interview he granted a newspaper, of which I had just taken in only the headlines. I should have paid more attention, I sadly agree.

We signed off that interview session with him saying how much he would miss Christy and promised to make himself available for another interview this time about himself and life generally. Unfortunately, we never got round to that: till this announcement of his demise.

Mr James Iroha, from that interview I can describe as a stickler for excellence, a natural artist and an easy going character. He had shared with us the fact that his mother was a very funny woman from whom he got the gift. That jovial nature couldn’t be hidden even by the network going crazy during the call. He stayed upbeat all through.

I felt passion, dedication and kindness in the voice of the man we would never hear from again. And all through that day, I thought of the encounter; no money, but the love for the calling gave him joy. Yes, he had gone blind due to glaucoma and cataract but his spirit still soared in the joy of creation…arts.

Pondering on his circumstance before his passing, I think this generation of showbiz practitioners could learn a lot from him; top on the list is love for the job. This keeps one going even when all is gone. It keeps a spark of youth in the heart. It’s not all about the ‘bling’ but value added. As we buy the latest of everything we should remember to save up for the ‘night’ of our lives for the fame does fade with time. Mr Iroha, for instance, served the nation even when no money was attached…when he needed a little help, none really came. The family was practically left to battle alone. A society shouldn’t treat its veterans like that…but this one does. So, it’s like a case of ‘to your tents oh Israel’. We should, therefore, all learn from that and be better prepared since we have more resources at our disposal than those who paved the way for us. Now is the time to be wise.

Rest in peace sir and may we never forget you for the smiles you brought to Nigerian homes and the road you paved for many today. Farewell James ‘Gringory’ Iroha. Farewell sir.

Okpei is a seasoned broadcaster at Metro Fm 97.6