It is with great sorrow that I write this tribute to the late professor Diaku who was referred to simply as DADDY by his children and family. I have known the Diaku's for many years. Growing up on the Obafemi Awolowo University campus in Ile-Ife the old Unife, I have very fond memories of professor Diaku. As Ike his son and I played almost daily as very close young fellas, I have been opportuned to meet a great man. Though at the time I did not really know what it was to be a man as all you thought of was the next mischievous adventure to get into. There was however something unique about the illustrious son of Igboland. Prof, as I simply called him was a proud, eloquent, loving, and fun man. Prof would pick me up on a regular basis per Ike's request and take us hunting and while we looked on with our young curious eyes Prof who would have just arrived from a long day on campus with rolled up sleeves loaded, cocked, and shot at the screaming bats on the trees and as they came tumbling down we scuttled all over to pick up the bounty. 

Professor Diaku as I remembered him loved his children and loved even me as if I was his child. I never saw him upset it was one joke after the other. I recall sitting behind as he drove with his arm leaning over the door of his long station wagon and cracked away in fluent Yoruba we laughed and laughed. These where good days any kid cannot forget. If you have seen a man who ate at the table with his family and curdled each one making sure he inquired about their day that was what I saw first hand. 

My first opportunity to visit and experience eastern Nigeria and real Igbo culture came in 1979 when my mother finally granted me the okay to travel with Prof and the family to Mgbidi, Etiti, Aba Ariaria market and sorrounding areas. Once he fired up the car Prof never stopped pointing and educating. He'll say Junior how many more hours do we have and I'll shrug because to me we could have traveled for weeks as it was never boring with Prof Diaku who had his perfect haircut and his rimmed glassed and a hair parting looking every bit of the scholar he was. He'll stop every few hours to buy snacks for us while we giggled like excited puppies chatting along. He'll painstakingly teach me a few Ibo words Mmiri, Udu and made me recite the months of the year and ask me to repeat it while he laughed at my pronounciation but will say good boy. This was who I knew Prof Diaku to be. He purchased an "Udu Ego" for me, a musical instrument which created amazing sound while playing Obikeze, covering one side of it it while rhythmically working the other end. The love in this mans heart you could see through his eyes.

It is settled now as you go home prof. As you rest in Gods hands because your work is complete. As all of us your children mourn you and know that you fulfilled your calling. A great man has been lost. Mgbidi, nma nma nu. 

Daddy,

We gather today to celebrate your life and not to mourn. It has been a wonderful experience having a dad like you, remembering good moments we shared together, most of all are the challenges your life has left behind, questions like can I be a dad like you?, can I live up to the standards you set?, can I live up to the legacies you left?, continue to cross my mind. You were my very good friend, we exchanged banter each morning and this strengthened me for the hard days’ work ahead.

I fondly remember some of your sayings and counsel, and thought it was quite unlikely to go wrong in life with constant exposure to such sound counsel.

Daddy, you were an exemplary dad friends wished they had, men wanted to emulate and had a personality acquaintances liked to associate with.

Earth will testify you visited and left a mark, words are not enough to express the loss, we will surely miss you. May your soul rest in perfect peace.

Adieu, Daddy!