Gone But Never To Be Forgotten…
I remember the days (university era) when I visited the home of the Onosodes (visiting my friend, Igbunu). It baffled me then, how cool and calm Igbunu’s dad (Dcn. Dr. Andrew Onosode) was whenever friends of Igbunu were around. He was always very “fatherly”, and it was almost impossible not to admire his fatherhood disposition.
My experience with Dcn. Dr. Andrew Onosode was multi-faceted but I may not be able to document everything at this time.
There was a day he had to go for a meeting in church. Hours before the meeting, Igbunu and I took his car out, we had so much fun during that outing that we had to return to the house later than planned. Hence, delaying Igbunu’s dad from attending his scheduled meeting early. When we got to the house, I expected Igbunu’s dad to display some sort of anger or displeasure concerning what we did but I was shocked (probably confused) how he reacted. When I extended greetings to him, he responded so calmly in his usual way, then he proceeded for his meeting. That day, something changed within me, and that helped me decide the kind of father I would want to be.
I learnt early in life that if you desire certain level of achievement, among other things, you should emulate those who have proof(s) of such achievements. So, on my wedding day, in the absence of my biological father (who passed on when I was a little boy), I asked Dcn. Dr. Andrew Onosode to pray over my marriage and bless the home my wife and I were about to start. One of the best decisions I have ever made!
You may be gone Sir but you are never to be forgotten…
-
Mudiaga Achinike
