The cheerful, vivacious and often chatty Akila Jacobs, who had embraced journalism even before a work-study stint at the National Comm-unications Network (NCN) many years ago, was laid to rest yesterday; exactly one week after she died tragically in a road accident at Linden.
Though little was said of the incident, Akila’s final assignment to Ituni was repeatedly mentioned. “Who would have known that she would not return alive?” a colleague asked.
He said that Akila had been in discussion with him prior to the accident about how she was going to approach the story and a few minutes later, she was fighting for her life.
Akila’s warmth and endearing spirit was celebrated in tributes that spanned her years in journalism — there were stories from various media houses — and the life she shared with her family was reflected upon.
The relationship she had with her daughter, Akeriah was all many talked about stressing how dedicated and loving a mother Akila had been.
It was an emotional farewell as tears, piercing sobs and a few moments of unrestrained grief filled St George’s Cathedral. Akila’s mother, Sandra Austin and sister, Malaika led a sustained chorus of weeping — unable to maintain the composure with which they had entered the church.
The church had been notably quiet before Cleon Cadogan of GT&T’s Jingle Competition fame moved the gathering, particularly Akila’s family with a poignant song. As his voice soared, the sobbing got louder; sweeping across the cathedral.
The tone of the tributes shifted from emotional to cautionary with calls being sounded for commuters to become more aware of what is happening in the roads, and for a fundamental change in the way drivers use the roads.
“There are a lot of things happening on our roads that many of us are not happy with and there must be a change in our culture,” Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn said yesterday while reflecting on Akila’s life. He referred to the accident as a difficult reality to come to grips with.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Chief Executive Officer of GT&T, Major General ret’d Joe Singh were among those in the gathering. The media fraternity turned out in great numbers to bid Akila farewell.
Akila was later laid to rest at Number 29 Village West Coast Berbice where she grew up.
