Uncle TK,
This is hard to write. I can't believe it.
I was an intern when we met in 2009 in UCH. I clearly remember our first one-on-one encounter. I had just finished my first departmental presentation, and you called me aside and gave detailed feedback about it. Pointed out things I did that were excellent and highlighted things that needed to improve. That was the beginning of the relationship with the most examplary mentor in my career as a physiotherapist.
Those startling eyes of yours behind your glasses were kind and piercing, never missing an error in any document. Your razor sharp mind... the spirit of excellence was upon you, and your productivity was unmatched.
Am I really writing about you in past tense?
"The reward of hard work is more work." Those were one of your sayings. You lived it in the opportunities that came your way and the ones you dared pursue. In all, you were ethical, graceful, and kind. You demonstrated that everything can be attained only if you dare to try. You had exceptional skills in relating with people, seeing them as individuals. What an all rounder you were-a wonderful family man, scheduling to do school run no matter what; an erudite neurophysiotherapist always going the extra mile and breaking barriers; a community man impacting everyone from the aboki who sold us sugarcane and agbalumo, to alfa's in the mosques and VCs of universities. Always with grace and with your back straight, no apologies for your well thought out stance on issues even when I disagreed.
How can you be gone, uncle TK?!
You who introduced me to amala joints in Ibadan, who helped improve my yoruba so it became passable. Remember the stories and anecdotes you told me about working hard? Remember how you coached me to my first platform presentation in Ghana as an "international" speaker. Remember stopping by and visiting me in the UK during my MSC? Remember, remember, remember...
You understood human beings, appreciating that you can't be right all the time in all circumstances...remember the story you told me about the man visiting his inlaws and the goat? You were not afraid to take unpopular positions once you examined a matter. You urged me to look deeper and determine the underlying intentions.
You were right, uncle TK, 14 years later, those things you mentioned and saw in me when we first spoke in front of the physiotherapy department of UCH are still manifesting and unfolding. I never told you this but now, when I have doubts, I say to myself, "but Uncle TK said this about you, and so far, he has been right" That makes me push on.
Ah, uncle TK, truly you have gone too soon.