Adieu Papa
A true portrait of Papa can only be “painted” or written by his immediate family.
Whilst not attempting to do that, this tribute is simply my family’s expression of our solemn gratitude, thankfulness, well-wishes and our farewell message to Papa.
Papa was an epitome of a true and loving dad, not just to his kids, but to many. This would explain why it was so natural and easy for me to follow in the footsteps of his children, to address him as “Papa”, rather than “Doc”, or “Ogom” or “Father-in-law”, as is common with most in-laws.
Papa’s numerous and immeasurable qualities will take quite a while to enumerate. So, we will note just a few: -
- He was not only a distinguished gentleman; he was a truthful gentleman;
- He was not only a man of excellence with very high intellectual capacity, achievements and attainment, he was also a more compassionate man, with a great ability and patience to listen to, and genuinely proffer solutions, advice and care to anyone who needed it:
- He was not only a selfless and kind-hearted personality, whose horizon of outreach was limited to his family and friends, but indeed extended to all mankind in the entire human race;
- Papa belongs to this stock of irreplaceable great beings who are fast disappearing from not just our dear country Nigeria, but from the entire world of human race – these are great men and women of high integrity, whose reputation and integrity could never be compromised; great beings of absolute discipline, total commitment to honesty and decency in service towards mankind; and not least, these are Godly beings of very high moral and biblical standing.
Homeward and Heavenly Bound
Papa, like all accomplished great beings, come to this earthly world with a mission; and once their mission is accomplished, have their gaze focused firmly home-ward and heavenly bound back to our Creator.
I recall my discussion with Sister Ijeoma (Papa’s eldest daughter) during one of her visits to the UK. I said: “Wow Ijay, Papa is now almost 90 years…”. And she replied, “Oh Richard, even 90 is still quite young…”.
The relevance and insight from this discourse is that whilst we, his children, family members and well-wishers would naturally want him to still be here with us, these great accomplished beings truly know when to be home-ward and heavenly bound…
Thus Papa reminded me of Rev. Billy Graham, an accomplished Evangelist, whose sermons and writings in his later years, and at just about the same age as Papa, was mostly about his prospect of a heavenly home and a homeward journey back to Our Lord Almighty.
From thence came this tribute-song (below) by one of his young friends…
“Take Me Home”
- – A Tribute Song by Michael W Smith.
Hello, old friend; how long has it been?
You've walked beside me all these miles, these years that came and went,
And I have held You close but You have held me closer,
All my life, this beautiful life
But Jesus I am sure You know how deep it runs in me
The yearning that I have to feel my feet on Heaven's streets.
And how I long to roam where sorrow cannot go
My Lord, come soon I long to be with You
Oh, won't You take me home?
Oh, won't You take me home?
My dear and faithful friend when does it all begin?
When will I see Your face and touch the scars upon Your skin?
Somewhere down the road or is it getting closer?
Please come soon, I long to be with You.
Oh, won't You take me home?
Oh, won't You take me home?
This is not where I belong
Oh, won't You take me home?
I wanna be forever, with You forever
Oh, won't You take me home?
I wanna be forever, with You forever
Oh, won't You take me home?
I wanna be forever, with You forever
Oh, won't You take me home?
I wanna be forever, with You forever
Oh, won't You take me home?
Oh, won't You take me home?
(I wanna be forever, with You forever)
Oh, won't You take me home?
Papa is now home with our Lord Almighty. Glory be to God Almighty for his Grace and Mercy…AMEN.
From Richard Chiadighikobi Emelle and Family
[Michael W. Smith - Take Me Home (Lyric Video)]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsv1y1ugoug