Flat 3, Corpers lodge,
Ozuitem Secondary School,
Ozuitem, Bende Local Government Area,
Abia State.
3:25am
My Daddy,
It hurts so much that I will not see you again. I know you are in a better place now. You fought so hard to stay alive all through these years. I remember learning letter writing from king’s crown. I wrote to you every day and dropped it on the piano. When I woke up the next day, the letter would not be there anymore.
You taught us to pray in Yoruba and by the time it got to my turn, I would have slept off being the last. You chastised us for not saying amen aloud. Now I know better. You taught me not to be greedy or selfish. Your motto was “Live within what you have”. You taught me to manage what I had and share it no matter how small it is.
I remember when we used to join the bus to church for 7am communion. Your cherished car was not available then. We had to leave home on time so that we don’t get there late. Your legs were always faster than mine and so I had to run up.
You loved and served God with all you had; your money, time and children. My best years were in the choir. The Adefeso’s were a complete quartet. I sang treble, brother Tosin in the alto line, brother Anu sang tenor while you were in the base line. I cherished those moments we sang tunes like “contemplation” together. My sister Ope sang soprano with me.
You got respect from all the priests that served at All Saints and in the old diocese of Lagos. Even the bishops knew you were exceptional. You served in the Altar servers Guild dutifully. You made a lot of friends across the province of Nigeria. You loved All Saints so much that you could not look away if something went wrong. You were always there to set the records straight. The parishioners knew “omolomo” to be upright in his service to God.
The popular saying in Nigeria that “when you get to power, you’ll be corrupt.” This saying has been defeated by you. You served at Lagos State Development and Property Corporation without enriching your pocket. You rose to become the Secretary –General of the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria. You had every chance to enrich yourself but you chose not to. I had my internship in the same corporation a few years back and they said wonderful things about “chief of staff”.
You were a simple and loving man. You showed love to all around you even to the people far below your class. They loved you because you didn’t look down on them neither did you disrespect them. You made 1st Corinthians 13 & John 3 vs. 16 meaningful to me. You loved mum so much.
You loved listening to hymns either on radio or your cassette player. I guess I took that from you. I am going to miss listening to hymns of praise with you every Sunday night before going to bed.
You taught us to be independent, work hard and entrust our tomorrow into God’s hand. In case we are coming back to earth, I’d love to be on your team. Thanks for allowing me cruise your Benz.
It’s so dramatic you decided to leave me this world cup year. I remember watching my ever first nation’s cup & world cup in 1994 with you. You will put on your old school radio for commentaries during the matches. I miss you greatly, dad.
Oluwarotimi.
