ODE TO MY BELOVED DADDY, THE BIG FISH

'To live is to die and to die is to live forever in the hearts of your loved ones'. (ValMario, 2017)

My Big Fish, it's been one long year without you. How time flies..... You were supposed to meet my beautiful future wife and my lovely unborn kids but death played a fast one on us. You left without saying goodbye. You promised you'll be back before travelling. If ONLY one could see the future......if only I knew I would never see your smiling face again...................................................

MY BRAVE COMMANDING OFFICER
VETERAN OF LIFE'S BATTLES
BASTION OF INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENCE
BANKING COLLOSUS
PARAGON OF VIRTUE
PRICELESS GEM
ORGANIZER IN CHIEF
LEADER OF MEN
MAN OF THE PEOPLE
LOYAL FRIEND
INCORRUPTIBLE ROLE MODEL AND MENTOR


You bestrode the earth like the god you were, fearless and dogged in all your pursuits. You were a survivor. From a dog bite as a little boy, to 8 gunshots in the line of duty (for refusing to cover up a fraud), to numerous car crashes (including the 1996 sommersault), you survived it all. When God felt the world had become too evil for one of his bravest warriors, he called you home to prevent contamination.

REWIND...... That earth shattering call by 3:45am, 7th October, 2016, 'Okey, hold yourself, your daddy has stopped breathing.' It sounded like a rude joke at first but as the clock ticked and the seconds passed, it became evident that 'my best flatmate ever' had gone to be with the Lord and wasn't coming back. THE ONLY BIG FISH had to bow to the KING OF KINGS. My world went blank, I was numb for hours. I just couldn't fathom how you could go without telling YOUR BOY goodbye. Life has been a wild ride since then but I'm comforted  by the fact that you lived a good life, touched many hearts and are smiling down on us from the bosom of our Lord, Jesus. We are coping well. The void is large but God has filled it.

While the earth mourned your departure, the heavens rejoiced at your grand entry. You left peacefully and asked God to TAKE CONTROL. That Divine control and peace permeates every aspect of our lives. IN MY HEART, YOU ARE IMMORTAL. We miss your profound humility, unassuming nature, welcoming demeanor and wide array of friends (including the lowly and children). You were generous to a fault and had a great dedication to God. Jealously watch over your station (US) from the bosom of Christ.

One memory is evergreen in my head. During my job hunt travails, after being bounced by some multinationals due to the renowned 9JA FACTOR, I asked you why A NATIONAL JETS Bronze medalist and an Academic Champion of Akwa Ibom (LEMME BLOW MY TRUMPET A BIT) should struggle to get decent jobs. Your response was legendary -You are one of the best untainted brains left in Nigeria. Focus on excellence, when it's your time, your brilliance will pave the way for you. Coming from a retired Human Resource man, that was a huge inspiration. I miss our Sports, Policy, Religious and Politics discussions. You raised me to be a Brave Soldier amid Life's battles and that has helped me adapt. Even in death, you are still my WINGMAN. I couldn't have asked for a better dad. I feel blessed to have been your flatmate for your last five years. WE MISS YOU

TILL WE MEET AGAIN, ADIEU MON PERE, MON AMI, ADIOS AMIGO, SANGASUNG ETI UFAN MMI, ETE MMI, JE OFUMA NNAM, ENYIM OMA. KEEP SOARING WITH THE ANGELS, MY BIG FISH 'DOUGLAS' Theophilus Osita Chuma (TOC) ELIAS-ONUNKWO, SHIELD OF THE MASSES. TE AMO. ARRIVEDERCI.

'Good men don't really die, they merely transit from mortality to immortality and their legacies endure forever'. (ValMario, 2017). You left an indelible print on the sands of time. YOU ARE IRREPLACEABLE.



Your Son,
Valentine Okey 'MARIO-ASSOMPTO' Osita-Onunkwo