***** TRIBUTE TO MY LATE FATHER *****
Today, I remember a Great Man, My Late Dad Prince Mosuidi Oladele Adekoya, the best and wisest man I ever knew, who taught me many lessons and showed me many things. He was truly a great man and someone who I strive every day to live up to. My father was not a perfect man, but he was an honorable, Jovial and caring man.
Born in 1941, I was the last born of the Family, and so I was the one he would share any gist, sports moments and history with.
Growing up, he was a huge Football fan as a matter of fact; he even played soccer back in the days nicknamed “Okwudili” His favorite musicians were Ebenezer Obey & king Sunny ade. He had many stories to share of how he stopped playing soccer and about life in general, for me he was like my twin brother.
He was also my biggest fan when I played sports. I recall when I was on my primary school's relay team in primary 5. My dad would come around to cheer me up, I mean that meant a lot to me.
Following graduation in primary school, I was going to pursue my goal to be either a banker or a Lawyer, a decision my mom and dad both supported fully. My dad wanted me to get an education and get a great job, just like he had achieved with the likes of; Kapital Merchant bank, IMB, Barclays Bank of Nigeria Limited which we now know as Union Bank. He'd show me how he helped many clients acquire loans from financial houses.
I think about February, 2000, I came home from school to find my dad at home, it was unlike him, normally he would be at work, I knew this was not right. I asked my mom what was wrong. Then, she hit me with what I always referred to as "The Atomic Bomb."
“Your dad has cancer."
This shook me to my core. He was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. I decided to take time off from school to help him through treatments, the chemo-therapy, everything. It was not easy. What was worse was finding him a month later in his room thinking while looking at old pictures; I put my arms around him and told him he would live long enough to get back to his feet.
He was so determined to battle and prove the doctors wrong, And fought he did. He would continue to watch sporting events with me while trying to have the energy to stay up and watch the games; for those who have not seen a cancer patient, cancer will sap the energy out of a person very quickly.
Then something strange happened, on the 7th of November year 2000 at about 3.am my dad woke me up and told me to prepare for school to get my mind off everything. It was like he knew he was going to die that day. I tried my hardest to concentrate in school, but it was impossible not to think of him. Around 5pm when I got back from school, I found my elder brother’s car and so many other cars parked outside the house; [in my mind I was like what was happening] I walked into the compound only to find people crying. Then my Brother walked up to me and whispered in my ears “There comes a time in Life, when you have to take things like a Man” it didn’t makes sense to me until when I heard the shocker of my life that my best friend & dad had passed away.
In the early hours of November 7, 2000 around 7:30 in the morning, my dad, Prince Mosuidi Oladele Adekoya, passed away, He was only 59 years old. Not only was my father gone, but a best friend, a mentor, and my hero. The guy who I would come running out to and give me gist, breaking news to about sports and news was no longer there.
I had comfort and peace knowing he was no longer sick and in no more pain up in heaven and he would watch over me, even if I would miss him every day.
It's been over twelve years since his death, but not a day goes by that I don't think of him, miss him and remember how much he taught me. He taught me more than just simple games and sports. He taught me so much about life. He showed me how to really fight and battle adversity and to never back down.
My dad ended up being my hero in life, and I am thankful that he was a good enough person for me to call him that. I am also grateful for every memory we shared, sports related or not. My only hope is that I can be as good person as him, so that I can get up to heaven, and see him again someday. Kudos to my ever loving Strong Mother, who stood to fill up the space you left behind...... Maami i LOVE YOU
Dad, I know you are up in heaven and I love you and miss you very much and still think about you to this day. I only hope you are very proud of your son, who is doing his best in life and keeps your memory alive.
This for me is touching....... May God Bless His Soul.. Nice write up, very original and plain....i like this
ReplyDeleteVery touching... ♍Ɣ his Gentle Soul RIPP. Make him proud bro... All D̶̲̥̅̊ best!!
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