Dad, even when I knew it was inevitable, I could not have prepared enough for your demise. Hence, I cried for you two weeks before you finally departed. Maybe we have a kindred spirit and I felt that it was about time you went home to rest; so, I told my siblings that I was afraid of your condition, and I cried.
Although you have been under the weather lately and I cannot begin to imagine the amount of pain you went through; but I was hoping that you would make a full recovery and we would go back to the old ways of our friendly banters. I expected that we would spend more time together; even have more of our long Sunday telephone calls when we would argue about many things, and you would give historical perspectives and some old parables to back up your arguments while I would stick to the contemporary reasons why history should not repeat itself. We would talk about contemporary music in which you had a great prowess. I can remember how you used to dance to Johnny Nash’s and Jimmy Cliff’s songs when I was a kid and how you sang along to the songs of Yusuf Olatunji “Baba Legba”. I do that too now.
I thank you also for your academic prowess which has impacted on us the children. You wanted me to study Medicine, but realities made me study another course. But just like my elder brother, I promise that I will still be a “Dr” as you wanted.
You were not only my dad, but you also became father to many of my friends, who adored you as they would their biological fathers. We all mourn your departure, dad.
I feel very sad that I will not see you or talk to you again. Bhagavad Gita said, “for certain is death for the born and certain is birth for the dead; therefore, over the inevitable we should not grieve”. I would have loved to disagree with Gita on this, because I really want to grieve; but I will turn my grief to a celebration of your life and your legacy. I will also learn from your deficiencies and take lessons from your flaws. I will console myself with the special and fond memories of you; your wise counsels when we were at life crossroads and your loving concerns all the time.
May the winds of heaven blow softly and whisper in your ears how much I love and miss you. And may the angels receive you home with them.
Fare thee well, my father, my friend, till we meet again on the resurrection day.
FEMI ADEMOLA
Iba se pe akii ku laye awon ara igbaun da?A kii gbo di eere,Daddy Francis o di owuro ojo ajinde.
Uncles have a very distinct and special role, for the fact of not being biological father, they can be a friend and a supporter in different ways than anyone else in our lives. They are both a relative and a companion, one of the few people on earth able to be both in one’s life is Late Mr. Francis Adeniyi Ademola.
You are exactly what words could not describe to us, we love you so much like a father, now that you are gone who will take your place? You were an uncle with an amazing character that is widely admired. Down the memory lane, when our dad, your brother passed on in December 1983, you took us and our Mum as your own, you guided us in the right paths and kept us safe with your words of wisdom, encouragement, and upliftment. You never failed to regularly phone us to find out how we are doing even on your sickbed, my siblings (Home & Abroad) and I who you helped to nurture in your words of wisdom will really miss you and your honest fatherly advice.
Your love, care, and great generosity and amazing kindness will live forever in our hearts.
We will miss your natural laughter and pure happiness; your radiating happiness lit up the whole atmosphere whenever you came around us, we will miss our usual uncle (father) and children conversations.
Dear uncle, your death is indeed not a loss that is limited to our immediate family alone but to the entire families that are associated with you through us, despite not been excessively rich you have touched the lives of so very many people in a positive way in your selfless lifestyle, you are a fine gentleman, a man of peace, justice and fairness, a man of the people, we will surely be consoled by the legacies you left behind, as you sit in the arms of the Holy Angel we mourn your death, your body is gone from this world but your spirit will live on in our hearts forever.
We cannot question God for it pleases Him that has called you home, He giveth and He taketh, His ways are mysterious and we cannot challenge Him, it is my sincere prayer that God Almighty who alone knows how to console a grieving heart will bring peace and solace to the entire family, your wives, and the children in this trying time. I pray that May God Almighty forgive all your sins and grant you eternal rest in His bossom.
Rest in Peace Uncle. Amen.
Olusiji Odebiyi Olaode
Sunday Odetola Olaode
Mrs. Oyedele Folakemi (Olaode)
Olugbenga Odejimi Olaode
Mrs. Ijaduola Omobake (Olaode)
FOR: THE CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN OF:
LATE MR. EZEKIEL ESUOLA, OLAODE &
LATE MRS. DEBORAH FUNMILAYO, OLAODE
We will miss his presence and wisdom forever. May the Almighty grant him a peaceful place to rest.
It’s time to follow in your father’s footsteps and be a man of honor just like he was. Don’t succumb to your emotions. Your family needs you to be strong now. We will miss his presence and wisdom forever. May the Almighty God grant him a peaceful place to rest. Amen
