TRIBUTE TO A GREAT DAD.THE BEST DAD.
Daddy Daddy as I fondly called you,I could not have asked for more in a father.Having you as my father was one of the best gifts that I got in life and I am grateful to be called your child. Your love,care and commitment to us your family was evident in all you did and unquantifiable.
I lack words to truly express myself.Starting from our names, you named us based on events and situations at the time of our birth.You gave us very unique names.People named their children after us because of the meaning and uniqueness of our names.I remember you told me that before my birth,things were not really too rosy and when I came,there was a lifting, hence my name "CHIKULIRIM" meaning God lifted me.Daddy, the name is speaking even for me.The name resonates in all I do.You were a man of wisdom.
Daddy, your love, dedication, and commitment to all was second to none.You were not rich, didn't have everything at your disposal but you gave all at your disposal to anyone around you.You were a sacrificial giver.This you showed through your care to my grandmother especially when my grandfather died.I can still remember the fresh fish and meat you used to buy not that you had much but just to make Mama to be happy.You took the role of a son and son- law and you did it whole heartedly. Again,as a child that left home early to live with my grandparents, I didn't miss you because you always visited my maternal home almost on daily basis to know how we faired.You made sure my grandmother never felt the absence of my grandfather after his death.
You were indeed an epitome of a good father and a great husband.we were your greatest investments. You and mum trained us to be disciplined, resourcesful and valuable in all we do.You trained us to know that hard work pays.As a man of your word, you sponsored, helped and encouraged our mother when she was in school.You also made sure that all your nine children are graduates.when I was doing my higher degrees, you always encouraged me to keep pushing even when it was as if I wanted to give up.You always told me try and get your Ph.D . you kept asking until I got the Ph.D.What a caring father.You loved all your children especially the girls that you always called each of us ending nnaya" Adannaya,chinnaya,Akannya and so on that one day I asked you daddy,are we only for you what of my mum and you laughed.
My father,I remember my secondary school days, how you used to carry me with your bike back to school not minding the distance just to make sure I didn't stress out myself going back to school or carry me to Aboh Mbaise secondary school to follow De Philip Onuoha.You visited me on visiting days not minding the discomfort you faced on the bad roads until I told you to stop coming that I was fine.What a selfless father.
You showed us the way of the Lord from our childhood. You made us believe that we can not achieve anything without God, with God all is possible.You believed in giving to God both your time and resources.This manifested in your service in different capacities in Church.You made the establishment of church of Pentecost possible,made sure it was built.My father you will be greatly missed. Heaven has really gained a soul.
You were one who wanted our happiness even in marriage, you were not a money conscious man .when I wanted to marry, you were only concerned about my husband's spirituality.Your only question was"is he a Christian and not how many cars or how wealthy he was because being a Christian, knowing God you believed was the first necessity to a godly home.You were a good husband, never a day did we see you shout or raise a finger at our mother.
The way you trained us and everyone that came to live with the family was second to none.You were very rigid and firm.Your cane was a no-respecter of persons as long as that person was still under your control.You never discriminated between us and others that lived with us. Those measures helped in shaping our lives.Now we all appreciate the way you handled and trained us.Even in school I could not behave anyhow because my teacher would always say"you know your father.Thank you my disciplinarian.
You watched over us in prayers even as we were all married, your calls always ended in prayers.My prayer warrior.You were the last to sleep every night because you always moved round to make sure the doors are locked playing the role of a watch night.oh my father.
You believed in hard work.You were an outstanding teacher that made impact everywhere you were sent to work as a teacher that even when you leave,they wished you would come back.My teacher par excellence.
It is only in politics that you didn't excel because you couldn't call white back, you hated cheating and would never take what does not belong to you.You were too truthful that they could not work with you.Oh my father,I remember laughing at you at times when you come to relate your ordeal to us even as young people and we would tell you, Daddy,if you can't beat them, join them or better leave them and that you did.
Daddy,I could go on and on because I have a lot to say.I am pained that you are gone forever.This was your wish.You had always said you wanted to go to your "MENTOR".I remember asking you who is your mentor and you said JESUS CHRIST.Dad that shows you are in a better place where there is no more sorrow.
If prayer or money could bring you back, you would never have died because we prayed and the doctors also tried their best but God knows the best.
Keep resting in the blossom of the Lord my beloved father till we meet to part no more.
Your daughter
Ihuoma Chikulirim Eke
(Chinnaya )