Nigeria, April 26 -- As I settled on this piece, my thoughts turned to the enduring lesson of Easter, a narrative steeped in grace, redemption, and the quiet triumph of love over judgment. It is a reminder that we, all of us, are fallible, susceptible to weakness, failure, even betrayal. Like the disciples who scattered, Peter who denied, and the crowd that turned its back, we stumble. And yet, mercy prevails. For reasons I can't fully explain, my mind wandered to Sam.

I often wonder where Sam is these days. We called him Big Sam, partly because of his imposing frame, but mostly because of the quiet strength he carried, an aura that made you listen when he spoke, as though wisdom had found a steady home in his voice. The last I heard, he...