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| You meant the world to me...and much more! |
I came home (to Nigeria) after I was told the shocking news of
Dad’s sudden death hoping that it was a wicked April fool’s joke being played
on me in September. But alas! It was sadly true. It still feels like a sick nightmare which I
am yet to wake up from.
As I sat thinking of writing this tribute I thought
–How can I say a few words that will do justice to a man as great as him?
Honestly, this is the hardest thing I have had to do in my entire life because
I know him to be a man so full of life. I believe my real tribute to dad will
be the actions of my life –becoming a testament of the love and lessons he
instilled in me!
Growing up, every child thought his or her father can
do anything. But as I got older, I realised that in my dad’s case it was true.
Everyone close to me knows that I always say that my dad was one of the most intelligent
and smart men I have ever come across. Not because he was my father but because
it is the truth.
As though to confirm my belief, while I went to work
in Kebbi State, I met a colleague of his at the NYSC camp Kebbi who said to me “Your father is one of the finest minds in
the scheme” I never forgot those words and it made me even more proud to
mention his name anywhere.
I realised early enough that my dad was very talented
and gifted especially in the area of administration and organisation. Thus, it
was never a surprise to us at home that he kept record of everything in separate
files down to the TV and refrigerators. He was that meticulous!
Dad was also one of the most hardworking men I knew.
He had a knack for keeping to time. Even
though he was a civil servant and could afford to go to work late as he got up
the ladder, he didn’t. He promptly has his coffee and eggs at 7am -7.15am and
left for work at 7.30am. As a State Co-ordinator, it was no different. To him “Hard work never kills so there
is never a good excuse for failure” He often told me that he believed that
things should be done properly even if others are not doing it right. “That is the only way to stand out” he
would say to me.
Dad was very versatile in many areas –politics,
history, football and even law. There was literally no topic he couldn’t
discuss intelligently. This was constantly a challenge to me because I always
wanted to impress him when we had our discussions on politics and law. I always
sought his opinion for most of my academic work even at masters’ level and
incorporated most of his ideas in my writing.
His love for books was simply out of this world! Dad
was never tired of buying or reading books. Not just books in his field (Public
Administration) but books in almost any field you can imagine. I studied
international human rights law which is nowhere close to his field but he
always had books from his collection to lend to me. His passion for books made
me love them too even as a child.
Dad was a wonderful writer as well. A perfectionist in
writing. He had such an impressive vocabulary that made me proud. If you wanted
anything put into words or written on paper, Dad was the man for it anytime.
This gift rubbed off on me and each time someone tells me I am a good writer, I
laugh and tell them they need to meet my dad.
As a family man, he always wanted the best for his
children and gave us the best especially when it had to do with education. Very
recently, he sold and made me buy the idea of pursuing a PhD in my field. I
fought this idea and said I was tired of schooling. He simply asked me a
question that changed my mind “What then
is your edge over your peers if you stop at this level?” Oh! Dad was such a
lover of knowledge, he didn’t believe in limitations and always wanted to know more!
That is why despite his busy schedule he found time to enrol for a PhD
programme which he had almost concluded before his untimely departure.
I could go on and on about my dad but in simple terms, he was simply one of
a kind and a man clearly in a class of his own. The things I will miss (and
already) miss about him may seem insignificant to you but they mean so much to
me.
I will miss his unique laughter that made me smile…
I will miss seeing him drink coffee with his tiny
teacup every morning and evening …
I will miss him checking out my car when I hear a
funny sound in it…
I will miss him scolding me for not checking the water
and oil level in my car…
I will miss him calling the NEPA technicians for the
compound when the transformer gets faulty…
I will miss running home early to avoid getting his
lecture on being a responsible young lady…
I will miss us talking or arguing about the Nigerian government
and politics…
I will miss watching and analysing the news with him…
I will miss teasing him about eating rice and stew
everyday…
I will miss watching the twins run around with him…
I will miss twisting his arms (literally) to collect
more money from him….
Above all, I will miss him calling me “My friend” or
“Gigi”…..People probably thought it was weird but I loved it and made me feel
special.
Daddy, I loved you more than I can put into words. So
many things I want to tell you. So many questions I want to ask God. But I
believe He knows best. You will forever live in our hearts and will never be
forgotten. I promise to tell the twins about you when they are old enough to
understand. I promise to be there for mum and the boys. I promise to make you
proud.
Till we meet again at the feet of Jesus….GOODNIGHT
DADDY.
FAREWELL.
Barrister Emmanuela Nwabundo Enweonwu
(Daughter)
N.B- There will be a service of songs on Friday, 17th of October at our residence in Abuja by 5pm
The burial will take place on Friday, 24th of October at my home town Onitsha. contact me on 07037279082 or facebook or BBM for more details
