The earliest memory I have of my father is riding on his back while he swam in the FPH swimming pool, it was one of the numerous Oshodi family public holiday’s where we were whisked away from school and taken either to the beach or to the swimming pool on short notice to spend the day with you. I was too scared to go out of the baby pool and you conquered that fear by putting me on your back, how strong you were and I remember at no time did the water ever go past my thighs as you swam.
As I look back on your life, I realize that’s all u did for those close to you and those you did not even know too well, you were always willing to lend a helping hand no matter the situation or circumstance, nothing was too small to give. You always reminded us to always give alms and help our fellow man and you told us how that was one thing you learnt from your late mother and also family was important. You raised us never to look down on any one and you made sure we were always grounded, I remember you telling us “you boys should remember that pride come before a fall”, you taught us the three “GOLDEN WORDS” PLEASE, SORRY and THANK YOU, reminding us to never be afraid or too proud to use them. You encouraged us to “READ” and always rewarded us for doing well in school, till your last year on earth you would always have an article for me to read or a bible passage that was significant to what was going on in my life at the time.. You always liked things done quick and without hesitation if we wasted time on a job given you would always ask “what’s wrong with you boys, SE E FI NSE RESEARCH NI” Oh how that always made us laugh!
My Daddy you were an example to follow and a pillar of support to those around you. The way in which you lived your life, is an example I constantly try to follow. The stories of your childhood and how you went through life, are a constant reminder for me and my brothers on what it means to persevere and be happy with the result of your hard work. You never spoilt us but we were never denied the love you had for us there was always a present at Christmas and at birthdays, and even when there was no occasion you would always surprise us with a present or gift of some sort. I remember in primary 5 asking you for a pair of football boots a week to my birthday, and you said “Dele read the Lambs tales from Shakespeare and hand in an essay on it and you will get the boots you want”. I did as u asked me too and I got the most expensive pair boots the shop that day, after that I went on to read Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Homers The Iliad and The Odyssey, Oliver twist and now that I am older I really appreciate the present you gave me for that birthday. Putting to practice the Advice you gave me on how to read and prepare for exams, is what is responsible for who I am today. The joy on your face when I came home with a good result made me the happiest child in the world and even when I did not do well you always showed me the silver lining and cheered me up with words like..” well done boy you got 100% in Yoruba”… When I felt bad about my first degree, you kept on telling anyone who came to visit “that’s Mr. Dele my son he has a B.Tech Hon’s” you always wanted us to be proud of our achievements and not dwell on trivialities. The morning I came home in 2009 I felt sad and unsure of how my life was going to be how I was going to start life over again, your silhouette from afar and the smile as you approached was most reassuring, the welcome back kiss on the cheek and the hug, were all I needed to lift my spirit and again like my first memory I was on your back again with nothing to fear. As we walked to the car park that day you told everyone who cared to listen “that’s my baby of the House he has an Msc From Newcastle and has Just come Back Home After 4 Years of working Abroad”, I kept on going stop telling everybody and as usual you had a comeback “are you telling me I can’t rejoice that my son has come home”.
You supported my wanting to play sports and I remember you taking me to the cricket ground at 5.00am in the morning for me to go on my first schoolboy tour to represent Lagos state, I remember you pushing me to swim competitively and me saying NO but I ended up loving it. Whenever my activities or lifestyle took me away from my books you would always try to set me back on the right path. Whenever life threw the worst at me, even when it was by my own hands, you would say only two words “Come Home”. Many times I wanted to but I would decide to soldier on and you would support me all the way. When I was jobless you encouraged me and cheered me on and always said while rubbing my head “Mr Dele with what you have achieved, you should not worry too much it’s all a matter of time” and true to your words it was all a matter of time. We were never too old for you to help and we were always your boys! A million words cannot say how I feel about you and I know deep down I will miss kissing you and saying “Good Morning Daddy or La Mezi”,I will miss the calls at 12 midnight with you on the other end singing happy birthday , I will miss hearing you call for me ( Dele, Deleeeee, Yayaoooooooh!), your wit and jokes , your laughter, you singing “out of the depths He arose” at Easter Sunday Mass, you playing classical music and singing to Handles Messiah, I will miss you disappearing on Christmas Eve to go into “Isale Eko” to get us presents/ “Bisco” and you telling us to go and look for a star before we can get our presents, I will also miss people telling me how you always danced into the church, I will miss the way you teased Yvette and all the young wives in the family, I will miss your advice and also your “Roar” for it was the roar that always put us in line and it was what made us know we had a father that cared and loved us dearly. Most of all I will miss the calm look on your face as you read the Bible while lying in Bed.
I was privileged to spend your last Hour on earth with you and I know you lived that hour to the fullest. In that one hour you raised some issues and I told you not to worry about me that I had taken care of them and you accepted without question, you told your grandson David Oshodi that he made you the happiest man in the world because he said “Nigeria is the best country in the World”, you reassured your granddaughter Andrea Oshodi she would not miss her flight then you warned me of what was to happen and you were Gone. Even in death you wasted no time and like the boy scout you were prepared.
I know you cracked a joke at me and Tolu’s Expense at the gate then danced into heaven and the thought of that brings me Joy, I and the family will never forget you daddy, because it was ON YOUR BACK WE ALL RODE
Your Son
Aleksander Ayodele Babalola Adedire Oshodi.
My tribute Culled from the order of funeral mass 14 sept 2012.