From the moment I met Daddy, I was struck by his warmth and humility. I first encountered him during my visit to the family home in Ibadan, and it didn’t take long for me to find a place in his heart. He needed nothing more than a good word from his fellow countryman who introduced me to the family to accept me as a future son-in-law. This simplicity and openness defined Daddy throughout all the years I knew him.
In every interaction, Daddy made sure you felt at ease. He would rather inconvenience himself than see anyone uncomfortable in his presence. This selfless nature was just one of many qualities that made him so remarkable. If you asked him how he was doing, he would inevitably turn the conversation around to ask about you instead, genuinely interested in your well-being.
Daddy’s humility was profound. As I got to know him better, even beyond his passing, I discovered the depth of his silent affluence, most notably in his strength of character. He didn’t often quote scripture or boast of his spiritual life, but his faith in God was unwavering and quietly profound. I experienced this firsthand one morning during his stay with us in the US. When I asked how he was feeling, his gentle response left an indelible mark on me.
In his calm and soothing voice, he told me, “Daniel, I have prayed to God that if my time has come, I don’t want to suffer. I would rather He calls me home to rest.” Just a few days later, Daddy passed away peacefully. His words that morning sent a chill through me, but they also revealed a man deeply in tune with his spiritual journey. In that moment, it was clear to me that he fully understood the meaning of “to die is gain.”
Daddy, the thirty-plus days you spent with us in the US were a gift, leaving me with countless valuable lessons. Among them, the most precious is the blessing of my wife, THE CHOICE. For that, I am eternally grateful, and I would thank you a thousand times over. It was an honor to be with you in those final moments, to hold you as you took your last breath and found eternal rest.
Goodnight, Daddy, until we meet again in the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ.