A letter to My Brother, High Prince MPO:
Brother and Godfather!
You showed the way and I tried to follow. it is a long time since we exchanged post-marked missives, the old-style mode of our correspondence until the dawn of electronic communication . But now I need to do it as long hand again.
I need a new address. I find it very hard to believe that there has been a change of address from, among others, Police College, the Congo, Oremeji Street, University of Ife, PO Box 293 Yaba, Panti Police Station Dopemu Road terra firma to celestial realms. And the change is for good!.
Together were we for literally ages . Yes more than 70 years, a period of intimate bond with our own special coded language . Decades of uncommon care And moments of hilarious hyena, courtesy the Lord Papa. as we bantered at the front room meant for us in the walled palace.
Yes, we shared the times: at Agbon, Ephrotor, school days, your abodes at Ife, Lagos days etc. Indeed, we shared the times; be they good, challenging, or moving frontiers. Remember, when we won, and when we lost or appear to loose. together.. Yes, pyrrhic losses, for the final laugh was ours through you!
Your profuse empathy and evident love in those trying moments; but you were always there, not just for me but for us all including the Lord Pa. . Little could we pay you bac k in the coins worthy of you. . You gave me so much, yet appreciated too much for the little we could offer you, even that Vaseline body lotion , you were appreciative to a fault. It was just in your DNA. Those your exploits on behalf of the common good of our society will remain unmatchable.
And your sense of humour, extraordinary. Courageous yet retiring.
How we wished your life could have been paused . Parting is most painful., more so between the 2 The end is inevitable , but just that when it comes it could be challenging and seems like a thunder bolt out of the blues even though as Christians we think we were ready for it.
The dynasty and all of its royalties appreciate what you stood for in our lives and the greater community :nthe family pillar, defender of our heritage and values, the carer of the poor and under privileged , . Now where is the defender ? A vacuum is created; an unfillable void .
But you know what you did. Ensured that no vacuum is left to stand. You showed us the way. Ona yen odo na re dje now. , In the Dynasty pride, cubs are no more cubs, having passed through the crucible. Now they are fully certificated lions and lionesses.
Yes, tears we shed , freely flowing . And we should, for the bible decrees so. . We assure you , we will do the needful ; you often talked about. White handkerchiefs on display on a rainy day. Whether it rains or not. The handkerchief will be on bold display as we weep for a motley of reasons.
Yes, I hope you are seeing the unprecedent show of affection and appreciation from the Dynasty, the community, colleagues, our little Palace church, the Queen Ayonron Foundation…the families , name it! .
I am confident you know. to me you are not just the brother but a father, friend, leader, defender, the custodian of charity, and all the other virtues rolled into one, MPO at his best!
As you join the family at the other side, those of the ancestors of whom you are now one, take greetings and respects to the great ones and the immediate pasts, the Pa’s: Aghomi, Lord Pa, Ogru, Uncle Ojite with impeccable hand writing, Numbers 1 & 2; and the Ma’s :Ileleji, Omotege Ichibe, Iminaka; Akpofure, and the ones I cant remember immediately but sure Sister Brother Matriarch would know.
Receive this note written by me and endorsed by all the dynasty royalties.
Adieu Brother, DV, till our meeting in heaven as we pray that you and all of us head for there
Kode!
Me vwe, Doctor.
13th May, 2021