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My Awesome Dad fondly nicknamed Napoleon by his children was a very stern, strict and no nonsense disciplinarian of a father. We couldn’t reveal the nick name until Mum passed. He never spared the rod nor spoilt the child.
He was hard working, loving, caring, intelligent, fair in judgment and God fearing. He was a great cook, teacher and historian. He stood in gap for Mum whenever she had to spend extra hours at work. Our home work did not suffer. He was a very upright man to a fault. He was a complete gentleman who loved to dress up conservatively.
He was my hero, my friend, my first love, my confidant, my mentor and my role model. He was so well put together that I used him as my yard stick for suitors when I was due for marriage. I could never stand a man who could not help himself in the kitchen and around the house.
Agboola Olarewaju Odunsi was a man I looked up to being as a child. I have so many fond memories of him and sometimes I find myself just laughing or crying either from his addiction to listening to the local and international news at almost all stations or singing his favorite hymns, 'My hope is built on nothing else...’, ‘Sometimes a light surprises a Christian while he sings...”,or talking so passionately about his country Nigeria whom he loved till the very end. Oh! how very sad he was about the recent happenings in our land.
He encouraged you to do the best for yourself and never give up in life because his growing up was difficult. Words cannot express how much I love him for what he has done for everyone of us.
Education was of utmost importance and he believed once you are seasoned, life would be a lot easier. His children's education and wellbeing came first before all material things. He was a very great Dad who was willing to help anytime and any day. He would teach you to be a handy man around the house such as changing the bulbs, changing the fuse in the iron, checking oil in the car, washing the car and ensuring all the fenders and tires were spotless, changing deflated tires, plumbing, carpentry, etc. He never saw his first three children as girls as he made us do all manner of house chores so that we can be independent in future. It sure paid off.
Whenever Dad travelled abroad he would indulge us with our requests and only get a single item for himself. He did not have a lot but he gave us what we needed and we did not go without because he loved his family. He was a great man to say the least.
Napo loved his children and his grandchildren. In his old age, he relished their company and that kept him going ten years after Mum left us.
A great and proud Ionian. Who loved his Alma Mater and his beloved classmates till the very end.
His best food was swallow especially Amala with fresh Eja Osan and Ewedu. Food is not right unless its one of swallow.
When Olubunmi passed on to the great beyond, Dad was devastated as she was his favorite daughter. They were both introverted and accounting auditors. Like a gallant christian, he pulled through.
Our Mum, Adebimpe followed suit after four years and we were all so scared for Napo. He lost some of his vitality and withdrew from social life.
The following year, my family and I had to relocate. i had sleepless nights taking a decision either to stay with him or go with my family. We discussed it. He prayed for me and asked that I see him as often as I can. I prayed to God for leading. God gave me the strength and wherewithal to see him every year before he passed. I give God the glory as that itself is very,very rewarding and fulfilling for me. Hallelujah !!!
I thank God for the good heritage. I appreciate you more even in death for the wonderful legacies. I love you more than you ever knew. I will miss you so much as I pray to God for strength. No one to call once a week and ask, 'Daddy se alafia le wa? Se e ti jeun? Se ko si nkan kan? Often times, he won't let me finish before he starts to ask after my family and reassure me that he is constantly praying for all of us. He was indeed very prayerful as he aged gracefully.
I was indeed very blessed to call him Dad. On Jan 13th,2021, as I bade him good bye on my knees, he gave me a peck and hugged me tightly. We had never been able to say our good byes each time I saw him as we would be teary and avoid eye contact. How I wish I had understood that hug then.
The beautiful memories we will keep in our hearts. We cannot thank you enough. Our loss is heaven's gain! I want to assume that you have met Mum, your heart throb of almost fifty years and your joy is fuller.
We would have been selfish to wish that you stayed with us forever.
I started calling you, 'Great Grace’ two years ago because you could still write your cheques and sign legibly. God loved you and showed you mercy. You came, you saw and you conquered,
Omo Arole Ikoko ti nsoro bi agbon.
Sunre o Baba Atata!!!
I want to use this medium to appreciate family and friends who stood solidly by us in the past ten years. Olorun nikan lo le ba mi dupe lowo yin.
Most especially friends like sisters who checked on him, cooked him meals and visited him to listen to his nostalgic stories about his Nigerian experience .You all know yourselves. Modupe lowo yin pupo pupo. Eyin na adagba, e dogbo, e fi erigi jobi. Omo rere a toju yin lojo ale lase Edumare, Amin. Oluwa a ran wa se ki awa na le gbeyin awon arugbo wa, Amin.
Abiola Olufunmilayo Folarin(Mrs)
(Daughter)