gather that,Pa died after a brief illness in Abeokuta,at age 86years.Read her emotional tribute to the man who has been generally described as an essential of compassion.
‘Daddy, I Praise God that you went to your Father, in good old age according to the word of God, peacefully and in your home as you wished. You were a father and a mother to me and to all of your children throughout your life time.
You suffered a lot to father and mother me from when you collected me from my grandma in the village upon your arrival from London till God made me to fulfill destiny in your presence.
Praise God I remember when I graduated from high school (Compro) with flying colors & the school wasn't going to release my result because we were owing school fees. You went to borrow the money from Sabo.
You were 7days late to pay back & the consequence was to beat you with koboko for the number of the default days and in my presence(tears in my eyes) you were beaten for my sake.
I remember days you will go looking for what we will eat and you would come back with only Gari and sugar, or just tomatoes... Days you will go on empty stomach so that we can eat.
You taught us to be happy in all these situations and we were all happy together with our Step Mother who weathered the storms with all of us your children.
Despite, you struggled to give us the best education at home and abroad. You insisted that after graduating in Nigeria, we must also have overseas training & you ensured we all did. You impacted good legacies on all your grandchildren as in you chose their careers with them - because you were a lawyer, you ensured that one of my children - Marita read law both at home & in the US.
In the last one year, as if you knew u were going to die, even in ur old age, you travelled out to see all your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren taking pictures with all. Even your great grandchildren remember you.
It's just so sad that I won't meet you to physically present your latest great grand child Alicia Oluwanifishe Odunayo Abdul to you. You touched the lives of everyone around you. One can hardly tell the difference between ur biological children and other children.
You united all extended families together & you made us to know most of them. You were a good father to all of us. You fondly call me "Olori aso mi" (meaning best of my clothes) and u always pray "o ni faya loju aye mi, o ni faya lehin mi" (meaning you will not tear in my lifetime and even after I die). I used to say amen while hugging you and I still say amen to that.
I thank the Almighty God for giving me the opportunity to be a worthy child for you to reap the fruits of your labor over me till you died. You counseled and witnessed my growth from that village girl and good for nothing behind the typewriter (Secretary) to the great Quincy Herbal Slimmers known all over the world today. All glory, honor and praise to my Great Sheppard - Jesus Christ.
Pa Sodimu oh, as I fondly call you, you taught me that "simplicity costs you nothing but buys you everything" this has been my guiding principle till date and will continue to be IJN.
With tears in my eyes daddy, with the help of the Almighty God and your spirit leading, I will try my possible best to carry out all the instructions you gave me the last time we spoke. I showed you my love and loyalty when you were alive and trust me daddy, I will not deny you in death. I wish you could come & see how great our Senior Sister Titilayo is handling all situations. All of us ur children (Sistermi Titilayo, myself (Olasumbo), Omolara, Babatunde, Akinwole, Atinuke, Oluyomi, Mosunmola & Olusegun, Kayode, Dipo, Yemisi & your many grandchildren & great grandchildren grief your death in different ways.
In all your life circumstances, I thank the Almighty God that your latter years were so much better than the former. May your caring soul rest in perfect peace. Burial arrangements will be announced later’.
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