Today I say goodnight, see you in the morning to Uncle Ben; “Banjo” to my dear Aunt Eli, who to Uncle Ben is “Beth. To these two who unquestionably are as loved as we have witnessed since the translation of Uncle Ben, the heaven stands still in celebration of a special re-union. Though we mourn still, hard as it may we ought to rejoice and be happy for Uncle Banjo and Aunt ‘Beth – two hearts that beat as one. Uncle Ben chose to leave town to be with the Lord instead of the United States, and the appointed day was Aunt ‘Beth’s birthday! So heaven celebrated two strong souls that day, Uncle Ben’s arrival and Aunt ‘Beth’s birthday. I am sure they wouldn’t want it any other way.
We all have found that Uncle Ben meant a lot to us all as individuals and collectively; he’s touched us in many ways and perhaps in different ways but all in great ways for which today, we sing his praise and mourn his departure. For me, he was my Champion, my Rescuer, my Helper, and my Mentor. Those are no empty words; let me start from when as a kid in Primary School, he gave me rides in his LG 8706 (I hope my memory isn’t playing any trick on me with that Lagos Plate Number, about 50 years after so pardon me if I miss the mark) often 3 or less houses away from my grand-pa’s house at Odosikan. He gave you recognition even when you’re s’posed to be insignificant, that’s Uncle Ben. How we enjoyed those rides. After High School, I chose to head to the North instead of Lagos that was in vogue and my parents prepared me padding me with funds that was handed over to my uncle Kamaru and we headed to Maiduguri but detoured at Ilorin because uncle Kamaru found out Maiduguri was worse than Ilorin that at the time was unbearably hot you had to spray water on your bed a number of times before morning broke. After 2 weeks Uncle Kumaru left me in his friend’s (Uncle Ambrose) house and vanished leaving me with no money. After a couple of months, in response to my letter, my sister Fola sent me money to head to Lagos (which I had loathed but accepted, better than returning to Ileoluji); and who took me in: Uncle Ben. Not only that, he contacted His Highness then Engr. Adedugbe at the Fed. Ministry of Works & Housing and pronto I was employed. He then gave me a daily ride to work while my Aunt ‘Beth provided me “Bus Money” for a year before I moved to Sister Fola’s.
Let me say this real quick. If you’re from my generation, those were the days you were practically afraid (in reverence) to be in the presence of folks like your Uncles and Aunts especially because they are much older than you, not used to them and not wanting to disrespect them by being in their presence when you’re not called in. The routine with Uncle Ben and my Aunt put you at ease. From day one, I felt at ease to say “Anti, Bus Money” when I become low; at the same time, when Uncle Ben returned home, he wanted to know how your day had been and whether or not you were doing ok on the job. Without saying, the daily rapport he instituted loosened my otherwise tensed nerves which endeared me to him.
Hey! When I moved to my sister Fola’s place, you know, she did report me to Uncle Ben once for not behaving and I loathed that making sure I didn’t give her any reason after that to report me. Of course you probably know he wasn’t going to yell at you or anything like that, his words were always soft and easy, advisory and guidance. Knowing that, reference to Uncle Ben was all she had to do to get me to do stuffs her way. Finally, there’s no way you lived with Uncle Ben that you don’t get a chip off the block. He was a very loving, kind, helpful and gentle (to a fault).
I dare say that the passing away of my Aunt ‘Beth and the resulting challenges is a string of events that would have broken a lesser man. And it would have been easy for him to let himself become bitter and hardened; surrender to self-pity and regret; but that was not Uncle Ben. He rose to the challenges, gird his loins and became both father and mother to my cousins who as you all know today are very proud of the job their Dad did on them. I am PROUD of him too; and thankful to the Lord for His exemplary life not just as Uncle Ben, Bami Beeni, Booda Beni, and so on but as a born again Christian and lover and preacher of Christ. This I guess you all know is the most important piece of our lives as well and the guarantee that we shall meet him again.
As a child perhaps at age 8 or 9, grand-pa Daniel Akintade led us to “Adura Owuro” at St. Peter’s Church every week-day which meant we woke up earlier than 5:00 AM to be in Church at 5 AM and returned home to prepare for school that resumed at 8:00 AM. One take-away even as I developed in Christianity in life is the memory of the songs we sang as we left Church those days until we got home each day. One of the most salient of them was the one that has “…ao pade lese Jesu” – “we shall meet at the Feet of Christ”. One thing I have learned though is the fact some will be seated closer to the Feet of Christ than others, Uncle Ben is sure one of those closer to the Feet of Christ. How do I know? Every Christian who makes heaven is saved by grace not by work, so there, we are all equal. However we all (as Christians, don’t be surprised) shall be judged by the works of our hands here on earth whether good or bad; more so by how many we led to the Kingdom which I believe gets us a closer seat to the Feet of Christ.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad”. II Cor. 5:10.
Albeit, it is Uncle Ben’s historic body of love and kindness we will remember, it is his giving heart that we will miss. He was the father who looked after not only his own children, but extended family members as well.
I cannot end this piece without thanking cuz Titi Eme for giving me the privilege of calling and speaking with Uncle Ben before he passed. His voice was clear and unmistakable, and it resonates still in my head the way he called me: "Funsho da e yen?"; and I said 'Bee ni Sir" and he went into prayers for me. I love and cherish that, I will, forever. Thank you Uncle Ben; and thank you Cuz-Cuz.
Uncle Ben has gone home now, guided by his faith and by the light of those he has loved and nurtured; and the one he had loved and lost. At last he is with her once more, leaving those of us who grieve his passing with the memories he gave, the good he did, and a single, enduring image - the image of a gentleman. Adieu Sir. Ba mi ki Anti mi o, ati Bami n'Odosikan, ati Bami no'Ekengbe, ati Mama Laro ati Yemi n'Odosikan ati Uncle Joe too. Wo se o.
