First impressions are usually indelible in our souls,  not always. But stays when such impression was so memorable and lively.

It was a vey unusual encounter the day I met Prof. Ezepue. I was not so scared that a female mate friend will be so bold to invite a male friend  to their house. Judging from my late father’s experience ; Onye chibe gi nya bu Ozo. 

The encounter was so frightening when I saw a face that cannot be matched with his words. ‘ Nna a, baa …….Nno! Sounded Greek to me. And did not made the soft cushion to be soft to me . But not too long I sat. I saw in a person so different from any other father I have met.  The whole room was filled with laughter. I laughed that I forgot that I was actually with my female friend’s Dad. The story of how he went to Biafra war with apt demonstration made me wonder so actually ‘ Na enwere ndi ekere mbosi Uka’. People created with full ingridents of life and all the angels at a work that day.

For anybody who came across Prof, will know he is a rare gem. He was not a conventional being just like any other person. His specie comes in a lifetime. Humility met with intelligence, His sense of humor was second to none. A heart that accepts every character just to bring out the best in the person. He was our age to stay with us. But then in all he did he impacted all the knowledge of life in us. 

He made me  a member of his family in unimaginable manner. From the encounter, her daughter became nothing to me rather than My blood.

I won’t forget the day he cracked a joke about that my first visit, ‘ Izu, honestly I have never known that the banana and groundnut you brought to the house that day was to chase my daughter. I felt you came to be part of us because she had told me you are a  prayerful Christian. Na I bu Nwa Mary. If I have known I would have given her to you in marriage. But never mind another of my daughter is still around if you are still interested ‘ I laughed infectiously.

And till this moments put smiles to my souls whenever I remember it. 

You saw life meaningless and lived it futfilled.

You loved everyone around you happy, you infected it much.

You did not believe morals should be thought with frown face.

In the peak of every Joke, there is a lesson passed.

You had a face that is in contrast to your personality.

You can detect the heartbeat of the very commoner.

You are in every class and made problems meaningless.

By approaching the difficulties of life with vanity spirit.

You loved family.

You loved humanity.

You infected them so much with your love and care.

To your lovely wife, who have been with you for a lifetime. May God console you Mum. Mike has gone back to the Father.. To Chinedu(St. Dumo), Ify, Emeka, Ogo, Ike Eh and Oge. I will say we lost a great treasure. Not forever because we will all be with him in heaven one day. 

As the earth mourn, Heaven is rejoicing that a good man came back home.

Eternal Rest grant unto him O! Lord…. And let perpetual light shine on him.

May he Rest In Peace, Amen.

Ka Odi, Nwachinaemelu Na Ogidi.

Dad was no ordinary teacher. He was gifted at capturing peoples’ minds, hearts and souls. He taught us. He taught Mum too. 

He was crazy about Maths. Then English, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths...read up the texts to teach us. 

He loved being a geologist and we, his imaginary students grew accustomed to words like basalt, quartzites, petrology, mineralogy, marangudzi dyke...lawd! We didn’t even understand much but, we sure enjoyed watching him in his element. 

#Nnenwanyi #lifestory #myhero

Daddio, mum cried today. She wept. Only you could’ve understood that soulful cry. 

I think there’s so much she wants to say. Of course, I stopped her. Not exactly in the way you would have though. I tried. That’s our reality. 

I know you felt her too. Not exactly what you’d have loved to see. Left me a bit cranky. I have never questioned God. I am not about to. Not now. Not ever.  

BTW, I’m at the ICAN gala nite, Oliver D’Coque’s son has just done justice to some of your favs. I’m much better now.

#Nnenwanyi #lifestory

Dad loved his siblings so much. He spoke so highly of them. Always excitedly reminiscing about their childhood and growing up in Bukuru, Jos. 

Their father, who worked at the Railway Corp., was killed during the war. Even though we never got to meet him physically, we had, through numerous interactions with Dad’s siblings come to understand who he was. A perfect gentleman. Just like dad.

Their mother, my grandma, Mama Ogidi, Eziafakaego 1 was a petty trader. They say I am like her. I am privileged to have been given her name too (Eziafakaego II).

#Nnenwanyi #lifestory

It’s a story of a beautiful soul.

Years ago, Dad was sick and in great pain. I saw the way he walked around the house trying to mask it. I saw the sweat. I saw the fear. He was deeply worried for us. Even his hair seemed to have grown longer. Mind you, he’d gone completely bald like forever. 

“Nnenwanyi, please pray for me”. I did. I said a prayer and reassured him. God kept him. His pains broke my heart. And still does.

#Nnenwanyi #lifestory

Dad consoled us ages ago. He left knowing that we’d cope better. He cheated death. Not once. Not twice. Not thrice. 

Many years ago, Dad was going in for a surgery and wasn’t sure he’d make it. 

“Nnenwanyi, I’ll sign a few blank cheques”. The house will need it to get by...I knew there wasn’t enough, because I’d usually get his balance...Anyway, he sure signed a couple, smiling...He gave us hope. God kept him for us.

#Nnenwanyi #9lives #lifestory

My name is Nne Nwanyi (Mother of a daughter) and I bear this name with all my sisters. Dad has called me this name for as long as I have known him. Lived. But, between us, I was Nwa Daddy. Daddy’s girl. Ada. ‘Temporary’ confidant for when he wanted to hide money from Lizzy (mum).

I would give anything to hear ‘Nne Nwanyi’. Again. Just one more time.

#nnenwanyi #lifestory