De Dadi, this is to wish you a very happy posthumous birthday. Erin'mwin n'u ye Daddy, evbu'evbu! Continue to rest in peace, daddy. Love you loads.

Lilian

4 years on Dadi! The loss still hurts but I am rest assured knowing that you're at peace! Continue to rest on, Dadi.

Love and miss you loads
Lilian Oladimeji

Dadi, Dadi!!! Happy Sunday and Father's day daddy! By now, I'd have called you to gist, laugh and hear your voice! But am holding on to the sweet and beautiful memories you left with me: memories of a wonderful and caring dad. The best dad there ever was and ever will be. I love you daddy but God loves you more. Continue to rest in peace.

De Dadi!!! Dadi, Dadi! Another birthday...!! I wish you continued and eternal peace. I still struggle with your absence. I continue to hold on to the loving and caring memories you left behind but its never enough!
Happy Birthday Dadi! Love you always.
Your daughter
Lilian Oladimeji.

Happy posthumous birthday Dad...... rest well

Rest on daddy! Your memory lives on. Love and miss you.

Heroes come and go but what keeps them in remembrance is their IMPACT!!
We celebrate an IMPACTFUL Man today!!
The CoL❤️

Rest well Dad.... we miss you.

Lagiewan Dadi. I woke up this morning wanting to call you. Continue to rest in peace, dadi!

Lagiewan Dadi, happy Father's day! A greeting I should have been calling this Sunday morning to tell you.

You are not with us in person but the fatherly love and memories you left behind remain with us now and always.

Love you Dadi and a happy Father's day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY.

De Daddy, when the ones we love become a memory, the memory becomes a treasure! I miss you dearly daddy but I daily hold on to the beautiful memories you left me as a father!

May you continue to rest in peace and may your passing on bring peace, love and unity to those you left behind.

Daddy, "Those that touch our lives stay in our hearts forever." Daddy, you touched my life as a loving and caring father and I will forever appreciate you.

There are special people in our lives who never leave us, even after they are gone. You are that special person in my life and you're forever in our hearts.

I love you, my amazing Daddy. Happy Birthday!
Continue to rest in peace

Lilian

Two years and still missing you, continue to rest in perfect peace dearest Dadi❤️

Dear Dadi, 2 years later and You are missed and loved everyday.

Continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord.

You are loved & your memory is a blessing

De Dadi, you truly are gone? Today, it crossed my mind to call you to laugh and gist, then realised....I love and miss you Daddy.

De Dadi! The best dad there ever was!
This is to wish you a happy father's day in heaven, daddy. May you continue to rest in peace.

De daddy, please kindly appear to me in my dream again, please! I'd like to gist and laugh with you, please daddy. Love you loads daddy. 

Happy Birthday Dad, your words, smiles & thoughts we remember always & forever.

Continue to rest eternally.
With love always

De Dadi, 2 birthdays have gone by and yet, you're not here to sing "bo, bo bo! O y'egbe bobo mwen..." May you continue to rest in eternal peace.
Love you loads dadi!

Lilian

Daddy on this day that I would have fondly called you to wish you a happy birthday and fondly remind you of your youthful disposition to life. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Massively missed always. Forever Rest in peace!!

De Dadi,
E'rin'mwin nu ye, evbu'evbu! You're forever loved.

"Chief" Lilian

Forever remembered forever missed, continue to rest eternally Dadi.

Love always

My Father, My Mentor, and My Pride

De Dadi,
Today, I dreamt of you! You called Temi and I overheard him telling you "...grandad, my mum has been trying to call for some time now but no answer...." and you (in your famous words) said "you mean it?...that's why am calling now...and asked to pass the phone over to me."

Then you called me "Chief Lilian, my daughter" as you always did. We gisted and laughed over nothing for what seemed like a long time. I was so happppppyyyyyy! It felt, looked and sounded so real. I was so happy to see you smile and hear you laugh!

Then I saw you very slowly accend into the sky (like an angel) whilst you continued with your gist and smile until I couldn't see you again: your ascension into the sky was like a slow motion and with so much ease. You looked relaxed and completely at peace but you didnt say "goodbye" and I woke up! 

De Dadi, I know you're not here with us but you remain in our hearts and perhaps explains why you didn't say goodbye in our gist.

De Dadi, there are still days I ask myself if you are truly gone? How can one forget someone who gave so much to remember?! I am taking solace in the peace and relaxation that I saw you in, in the dream. Continue to rest in perfect peace, De Dadi.

De dadi,
If I could write a story, it will be the greatest ever told of a kind and loving dad. Though gone, you'll forever remain alive in my heart, de dadi! Today and always, I miss you..

Love you loads.
"Chief Lilian"
(as you lovingly called me).

Eh Gowon(big smile) wor yehe? (shy smile from me)Lagiewan Daddy, or yese
(big smile from me — as a result of his charming, inviting glowing radiance of unquantifiable love expressed in his eyes).

In 2001, I was taken to him by some Benin political leaders. He looked at me direct in the eyes and said to me “why are you coming into your own house through the window?“ this is your house! The elders then relaxed. He told them that I am his son and that I just saved him the privilege, of him (Daddy) bringing me to them. They broke the Kola, we ate and drank.

He saved me from joining the Army because he knew me more than I knew myself then.
He gave me, my father, sister, and my father's Grand children jobs.
He dedicated a page of his book to my poor father (I was crying when he told me).

We were having a discussion, and I said “Nigeria needs leaders with dictatorial tendencies (he smiled)"...... No my son, it is called “strong leadership(he smiled)“
Gowon, wash your hands and come and eat with me “thank you Daddy, I just ate“, his voice changed and the smile vanished, and he said “it is an order !“
I was already eating with him before I took the next breath :) He was always there whenever I achieve a milestone.

He took me to places that only a father will take his beloved child to and calls me son as he introduced me (A General was celebrating his birthday). That was not enough he asked me to seat with them and join them in drinking (I took a glass of soft drink pretending that I don't drink alcohol), he looked at me and smiled “I know you drink, drink what you normally drink….eh e Stautu nor?“ Yes sir (I got shy). They all started laughing and talking about their NDA and Army life (how they enjoyed and and and.......)
He never made me feel I am not his biological son, hence my denial of poverty till today! He is the secret behind my self-confidence. Thank you Daddy.

I just can't say it all. Happy Posthumous Birthday Daddy.

I will join the rest of the family to keep your love for Edo and Nigeria
on the lips of all Edo peoples mouth with a good Taste. I can't loose what I have, you cant die because you Live in me.

Dearest grandad, happy birthday. You’re at peace. You lived a good life full of love, Light and building and growing relationships with everyone. You left an indelible mark on the world and whilst you are very fondly remembered on this day, as always, you are deeply missed.

DE DADI, THIS IS TO WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY POSTHUMOUS BIRTHDAY! Erinmwin n'u ye, evbu'evbu!

I still keep going in and out of reality! Sometimes, I think "oh, I've not spoken to daddy in a while..." and reach for my phone to call. Other times, I remember a joke or experience that will make you laugh and rush to want to share it with you for laughter then realise (again) "oh, he's not there!!" A reality they say "time is a healer" but you will always be a vacuum no one or nothing can fill! For now and always, I'll live in all the sweet memories he left with us all. I love you dadi.

May you continue to rest in God's bosom!

Dear daddy P. O Ogbebor,

Words failed me when I heard about your passing away.  You are someone who was loved and meant so much to all who knew you. Someone who left behind a trail of tears and precious memories too.  

We loved the sunshine in your smile and kindness in your heart but heaven saw that you were tired which meant we had to part.  And now this is your  special day,  dear angels, hear our prayer and please guard our daddy  with your gentile wings and tend him with great care, for he was someone wonderful and words can’t convey how much we have miss him.

 Daddy,  your passing has taught us a lot of lessons in life,  one of them is, there will  be an end to life  no matter how great  we are . Since I knew you, I have always had the imagination  of an extraordinary man in my mind. Daddy, we miss you, we miss how you have lived your life here on earth because to me, it was so special and perfect. 

We miss your caring nature, your socialism, your unifying nature, your entrepreneurship, your patriotism, your leadership nature,  your smiles, your kindness, your hard work and above all,  you were a fashionista daddy, a slay King of the  Ogbebor dynasty. As your daughter, I have always loved you and been proud of you. 

You were always there for me as a father, your care and love for your family is incomparable. You were a father of all and you will still remain in our hearts. Adieu papa, lagiewan daddy, continue resting well until we meet to part no more.

Your Daughter

Mrs Ehizogie Michella Okundaye.

Daddy you were a legend. You were a humble man full of love, strength and encouragement to us. In life and now death you wouldn't want us to focus on the sadness and sorrow but to continue to love and support each other no matter the situation. 
Your warm smile taught us that love reigns supreme. This is what those who were fortunate enough to know you will remember you by.

I also remember the jokes you always used to tell when I was by your side; your invaluable wisdom and the advice you shared with me; Being by your side was truly a tremendous time of blessing, one which cannot be forgotten.

I remember when we lost our father you took us as your own and filled the void left by our father.
I looked forward to seeing you at every opportunity that came, and every yearly party, you light up the whole place with your dance moves and make it fun.

You were the father of all fathers. A shining example to all.

Uwaila Obasohan ( nee Ogbebor)

Today would have been a day filled with laughter, joy, celebration and certainly a memorable one if you were here daddy.

Today marks your birthday anniversary but you aren't with us but you are always in our hearts and we will never forget you. so I chose to celebrate you today reminiscing over beautiful memories of you.

I vividly remember how your birthday anniversary celebrations always were: there were people with good things to say about you and you always wore a big smile on your face with so much excitement and danced more than everyone else in the room.

You will always have a big room in my heart. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY
I love you SPECIALLY
Rest on,
Forever your Amwenbor

Daddy was a brave, spirited, noble minded and loving father-in-law. He was a leader by natural inclination. I particularly admired daddy’s profusion of love for fellowship, togetherness and goodwill as well as his invigorating attributes which sparked an enthusiasm for hard work in almost everyone who came upon his path. Daddy was a beautiful hero and wonderful soldier who served his country dutifully. He was an amiable role model to the family and an outstanding mogul of the business industries. May the sweetest memories of daddy illuminate the hearts of all who loved him dearly.
And may his lovely soul journey in peace and happiness through the wonderful creation of GOD.
AMEN.

Our dashing and distinguished Dadi, who left an indelible mark on all of us. You were a special, intelligent and very passionate father, uncle and friend. The time myself, my husband and children spent with you were beautiful moments we will cherish very much. We spent a lot of time on your written pieces and promised to work further on them for publication. We’ll endeavour to do so. I am glad that we were able to spend some precious time with you in the course of the last few years in the UK and in Nigeria this was especially poignant in July 2019. We were all looking forward to your visit to London. You actively engaged with us via WhatsApp and impacted us with your vast knowledge and wit. You were an avid researcher and came up with a lot of valuable information about world class business and technological models. You also shared a lot of beautiful photos with us of joyful and celebratory moments. You always have us your undivided attention, even when it was not convenient for you, especially when you became ill. You’ve left a huge gap Dadi, that will be very difficult to fill. Your gracious legacy will undoubtedly remind us of who you are and what you continue to mean to us. I hope and pray that your dream for our great family, your beautiful home at Ugoneki, Benin City, your city of passion and Nigeria the country you served so gallantly as an Officer and a Gentleman will be realised and your distinguished name, written in the sand of time. Your name Paul and Osakpamwan were unique and the abbreviation “Paulosa” even more so in Benin, Abuja and other parts of Nigeria You were a trailblazer and inculcated that same spirit in us your children and mentees. Thank you for being you, a remarkable father, uncle and mentor with an indomitable spirit who shined bright like a diamondwhilst charting an admirable course for us to follow. May your precious soul rest peacefully in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Ehimwinuye Dadi Ewuewu

Esosa Aihie & Family xx❤️

My dearest dad,(as you will always address your letters, my dearest daughter) my greatest memory of you is you waking me up from sleep singing happy birthday song to me from your hospital bed in UBTH on the 9th of February 2020. Little did I realise that I would never hear that melodious voice ever again.
As a father you were multifaceted , strict and tough yet reflecting the depth of your love. You were my umbrella against the storms of life, there for me through thick and thin. O dad! You have departed at such a time when I needed you most!!! Thanks for giving me the courage to be whom I am. Thanks for teaching me to soar  like an eagle.
Love you always
Your daughter Osamede.

Daddy the news of your death remains a shock we miss you and wish you are still here with us to celebrate you at 81 but God loved you more.

We will forever remember your smile, words of wisdom and the memories of every beautiful moment .

Continue to rest in God’s arms daddy. With love from your loving one ♥️

Dadi was just simply a wonderful human being. He had a lot of admirable attributes.
He always made time, for anyone he knew was in need of one thing or the other. I recall when my wife and I were in Nigeria in May 2019. As we arrived at the house, he was sitting in the Garden with a lady sitting there pouring out her needs and life’s challenges to him. He just listened and then gave the lady some words of encouragement and gave her some money to get something to eat. After the lady left. I asked Dadi who that lady was. As usual he smiled and said he does not really know her. That she was passing by the house and saw Dadi sitting there. I can assure you what gave that woman the confidence to walk into the compound was because she must have heard from one source or the other. That the man that lived in the house had an open-door policy for the needy of society. I then teased Dadi is that why he had all those chairs in the garden with a sign at the front gate “Come and sit and I will listen and help” as they say a problem shared is a problem halved. 

This is just one account of endless accounts of Dadi just never ceasing to show love and interest in people’s wellbeing.

I cannot even start to document the numerous words of wisdom he shared with me. I learned so many life-changing Edo parables from him as that was always his response when I discussed issues with him.

He had a personal touch and pet name for every member of my family, my wife, my daughter, and Son. You will forever remain in our hearts and part of us forever.

Daddy adopted me as a son from Aruosa church at the age of 14. In November 1986 Dadi handed me over to Paulosa communications Department and was trained as Radio/Telex operator until 1993, He then released me to Shell PH to meet Daddy Okunbor/Daddy Olotu. They embraced me for the sake of late Daddy, they sorted me out in various international companies and I grown. In 2001 late Daddy, called me to represent him at Ireland during former president OBJ state visit. I explore and returned to Nigeria with prosperity. Dadi thought me on how to save for raining days and He advice I should make sure my children are educated. I visited Dadi in the house during his sick bed with my wife and children January 2020, He told me to help him thank senior mummy, that she stood by him during/after his health challenges,I and family knelt down immediately and thank mummy. On the 19th day of February, I got a distress call from Mr Osaretin on Dadi demise, I traveled to Benin and the information was confirmed, since then I have been perplexed. Well, my cries for this big Blow wouldn't stopped until infinity. Dadi, I missed you, I loved you, RIP Dadi!

David Iyaweh

Happy 81st birthday Daddy, sending you this candle to blow out in heaven

A tribute To An Amazing Father.

Dad, your passing is a reality that is so difficult to accept, But i have decided to look at the silver linning, that you have gone to your maker. You were an amazing father, any one would be honored to have. A shinning star! You came, set a standard too huge to be replaced. An encourager.Always ready to listen to one’s pains and share in one’s joy. Thank you for walking me down the aisle and being there for my children’s weddings too. You were a soldier to the core. You defended the Nigerian army in every discussion. You remain the best . I will not say goodbye because you will forever remain in my heart. Love you Dad and Thank you for everything.

Dadi as we fondly called you
You left when I needed you most but heaven was utmost. Missed your call 2weeks prior to demise still makes me sad but hearing your voices on my voicemail as you always did..“ it’s me Dadi..How re you doing? Call me”..gives me relief that you not far away. You have been my earthly shield,guidance & protector ever since we lost our mother. You stood besides us in good & bad times all the way till death. Never judged me for my weakness but always gave me room for improvements and made sure I learnt from my failures. Even in death your greatness speaks for itself and your light cannot be out shined. I write this in tears with a broken heart. I will never get to see your face,jokes,laughs,advise, wisdom & above all Love. But I will keep all of the above burning in me and keep on been a cement for the family and world in general. With your death came a huge price & sacrifice. I promise to be a better man,great dad,loving husband in due course to keep striving for greatness. Say me well to my mother. It’s been 20years. You stood up as a Dad-mom & never looked back since then. I will do you proud. Adieu Dadi

"De Dadi" as I always called you and you will say "Chief Lilian my daughter..." These were always our opening lines....followed by laughter before the "real gist"!

Where do I start from to talk about someone who gave so much good to remember?

De dadi! You showed and showered me with love all my life. You were my father, my friend. My confidant, my mentor! You were always a pair of listening ears and a shoulder to lean on. 

The re-assurance that "I'll call my dad to seek his views" gave me the strength and confidence to tackle life's challenges. 

De dadi, 

*For the gift of unconditional love that you showed me, I thank you. 

* For your support, I thank you

* For your smile, I thank you

* For all that you were and continue to be, I thank you. 

In life, I loved you dearly. In death, I love you still and forever will.

Rest in perfect peace, dadi!


Your daughter 

Lilian

My Dear Daddy and Hero, if only I can turn back the hands of time, if only I can talk to you once more if only I can feel your warm embrace, I really miss you daddy. I surely know you are resting with God Almighty and watching over us all.. I pray we should be able to sustain the good legacies and goodwill you left behind. Your memories lingers on! Rest on papa my Hero.

Daddy,
Commander in chief sir, I respectfully return the title to you dad, the rightful owner (inside joke).
Dad your one of the few people on this earth that truly knew how to "live life".
You lived life to the fullest, always emptying your love,happiness, goodness , knowledge and zest for living on to all who crossed your path.
You had grace from God, who always replenished you with love,happiness and financial where withall & life, until He needed you more than we did I guess.

Dad may be gone, but I will challenge us all as I have myself to find our inner beloved "Colonel" in us.
Find an aspect of that great man we all called Dad, husband, uncle, okaigbe, brother, friend, boss, grand dad, great grand dad we would like to emulate.
Just because we knew him, his legacy lives in us all .

Dear heavenly God, please look after my dad, let him rest. Don't let him get to heaven and start looking after everybody, taking control. He needs a good eternal rest.
Oviese Baba.
With love (for the last time with you, your commander in chief).

Love always,
Osayimwense