LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SEGUN TEIDI - THE OFFICER! THE LEGEND!!
God is sovereign.
God reigns over all.
He knows the end from the beginning, even before its time.
He is God Almighty, unquestionable in all things!
It’s so difficult writing a tribute to my departed brother and friend, this is way too soon. You should have lived longer, brother. Words fail me to express my thoughts of you. For days, I struggled to write this.
Our paths first crossed in year 2000 at the IJMB A-levels, Osara Campus, we would go on to be close-knit friends and roommates at Ahmadu Bello University – Zaria, for 3 years: Tafawa Balewa Hall (B33 & C34) and Ali Akilu Hall AA144).
We quarreled over the mundane and ineffectual things and made up as kids did and should. We had many funny names for each other. We never had a dull moment.
When school is not in session, you were a regular guest at my family house, our card and ludo games with our friends – Jide, Felix and others, along with my kid sister, were our regular pastimes.
I look back at those days we had no money, we sometimes cooked rice without oil, fish or meat, we shared shirts to augment the few we had and did all sorts to survive. In all those years, you had a strong belief in God, you were such a religious man and great was your faith. At 6am on Sundays, you would be up to join the bus at Kongo Campus Second Gate conveying students to Kwangila Winners Chapel Branch, Zaria. I was always amused, while you were an ardent believer, I questioned all. I was a freethinker and what had church got to do with me? How wrong I was.
I learnt a few things along the line – God answers prayer and for as many as call on Him, He is ever so near!
God did answer our prayers, I got the bank appointment and you got your commission into the Nigerian Army. You were even posted to Bonny Cantonment (81 Division) Victoria Island, Lagos and my office was also in Victoria Island. So we continued seeing each other, now under a different atmosphere. I was always held up with work and rarely have time to visit, but you, “my brother and friend” will come to me!
Behind my office at Ajose Adeogun Street, at the lounge called “Pitch”, we would meet and spend time together for hours. I remember your stay at Etim Inyang Street, Moloney Street and your dedicated enclave at Alpha Beach, Lekki – you always carved a niche for yourself, you were always a name to reckon with, you were the golden fish in the pond, you were never hidden.
At your subsequent postings to Zaria, Enugu, Minna, Ibadan, Gwoza and Abuja, a part of me always was with you. When you told me of your posting to Gwoza, at the height of the insurgency, I had my heart in my mouth but I never lost hope, I prayed with you “you shall return safely” and so it was. You came back to us hale and hearty, not even a scathe. Same war that claimed and continues to claim thousands, you went and came back, to the glory of God.
When we met after your return from the war theatre of Borno, you relieved the horrors of the battlefields, the carnage and bloodbath; you were no longer the same man.
On contentious issues, you were highly opinionated and firm, you called it “grip”. I was one of the few who could confront you and dare you; this often ended in funny fights.
When you earned the prestigious Force Service Star FSS, we had a mild party at Atican Beach, Lagos, Google saved a video of your comic words that day.
You were full of life, always joyous, always happy. You were an encouragement against depression.
Whenever we are gathered at your call, you were always the center of attraction, the rallying point. You were a constant source of encouragement to especially your friends; we would give you the unofficial title “Obakebijo” – the King that unites the household! So goes your legend.
Great you were and greatly were your doings.
You created a world of your own and filled it with people.
Wherever you went, you created your own followership, a civilization of sorts.
You were the man with the crowd, a true man of the people.
You were detribalized and tolerant, humanity was the religion you practiced.
A man of many colours.
You were a legend in truth and indeed!
Nobody crossed your path without leaving with a smile, even strangers.
Nobody called you for rescue that was ever disappointed.
The many that had access to you would testify of your uncommon benevolence.
The mouths you fed were countless.
The hands you blessed with money were without numbers.
You named no one an enemy who does not so-declare himself, you embraced all!
Selfless you were.
A giver by nature.
You sponsored a corporate philanthropy – Teidi Initiative and with this, you assisted many, you promoted sports, education, public health, youth advancement, women empowerment and mutual friendship, among others.
Tirelessly, you gave. To the very end, you were a giver of repute!
You lent your goodwill and compassion to worthy causes that bear the marks of a true brother and believer, after the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:35-40.
Painfully, you were betrayed.
I recall your pain relieving the betrayals, disloyalties, treacheries and negative words you endured from many whom you had blessed prior.
Such were the tragic realities of the human world.
Why would anybody eat of your food, drink of your wine and raise a tongue against you?
Why would anyone take your money, thank you for the help and turn against you like an animal? Even dogs are better behaved.
You had an excellent career progression and the higher you rose, the more you gave of yourself and resources to society and to family and friends.
I remember you wearing two stars as a Lieutenant, three stars as a Captain, an eagle as a Major, a star + eagle as Lieutenant-Colonel and I always looked forward to seeing you wear the stars and sword of the Major-General rank you aspired to.
You were a proper Nigerian, patriotic and heroic in your passion and defense of the fatherland, its unity, peace, progress and greatness – a worthy cause to which you would lend your might and courage for sixteen great years.
You were a rising star, you had all it takes to get to the peak. You had a clear shot at the pinnacle of your dreams and nothing important stood on your path to glory.
I personally testify to your magnanimity. You were a ready help when I needed it the most. I fell on hard times but was hopeful – I have God and a few loyal friends like you and you alone was the equivalent of twenty others.
When I decided I have had enough of the chaos that was life in Lagos and decided to move to Ibadan, you told me there was a place waiting for me at Letmauck Cantonment, Mokola-Ibadan, same house you had lived in as a Major. While there, I never lacked, the officers on ground accorded me the esteem and friendship they would accord you in your absence – I was the Colonel’s brother!
At the Officers Mess, I had a standing with the patrons and operators that was uncommon to civilians – my brother is a certain Lieutenant-Colonel Teidi – a big name that open doors.
When I decided to emigrate, you showed yourself magnanimous and for this, I acknowledge my debt to you; God’s willing, I shall restore the same to your family in your absence.
I find it so hard to relate death near your name.
It’s so painful to imagine your loving wife become a widow so early in life. A virtuous lady, a dutiful wife, a great mother, hospitable, loving, kind and patient – you always revere her as “answered prayer”, I call her "our mother".
How about your children? Your days start and end with them – if you are away from home, you’ll call them every morning and evening, and one can imagine the love when you are with them - a dedicated and doting father you were.
Who will care for your aged parents now? You were the son every parent wishes to have.
A big vacuum is left in the hearts and minds of your siblings, niblings, piblings, cousins, neighbors, friends, employees, colleagues, course mates, underlings and protégés.
Nobody would know how many people will be most affected by this tragedy. So many destinies were tied to yours.
In death as in life, Segun you are a great man!
For the countless monies you gave out, we say: thank you.
For the countless medical bills you paid, we say: thank you.
For the countless mouths you fed, directly and by proxies, we say: thank you.
For the countless cloths you gave out, we say: thank you.
For the many you gave shelter and paid rents for, we say: thank you.
For the many you gave a means of livelihood, we say: thank you.
For the many you empowered, we say: thank you.
For the many you gave a shot at greatness, we say: thank you.
In death as in life, Segun we thank you, our hearts thank you.
You left us better than you met us.
You made your imprints on our hearts.
You left your marks on the sand of time.
You were a bridge.
Your name is etched forever in our minds, never to be forgotten.
You came, you saw and you conquered.
You have left us so soon but we are not without hope for you and for ourselves: “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).
"…I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
"But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself." (Psalm 49:15)
On behalf of our friends in Kabba, Lagos, Ibadan, diaspora, ABU Alumni and Millennium Club, we bid you farewell brother.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SEGUN TEIDI FSS MSC MIAD FCNA to paradise may you go, may the angels lead you there, (Amen)!
Oh Lord God Almighty, the Father of light in whom there is no blemish, please accept the soul of your son, Olusegun Victor Emmanuel Teidi to your side, cleanse him of all imperfection and accept him to your side, let your light shine on him and redeem him with the precious blood of your only son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Grant comfort and help to the widow, children, parents, siblings and friends of Segun and heal every troubled soul. Amen!
FEMI CHARLIE
Hertfordshire, England
