A Tribute to my Fahter

Papa, as I write this, I realize that the most important thing you gave us was not money, property, or anything material. What you gave us was God. You left us what I now call “The God Factor.” This was your greatest gift to us, and I see it today in all your children, biological, foster, and spiritual. You taught us to put God first, not just by what you said, but by how you lived. You showed me that before making any big decision or taking a step, I should seek God first. You also taught me to obey God, even when His instructions were hard to follow. You used to say, “Take heed to God’s instruction, no matter how hard His Word may seem.” Those words have stayed with me. There were many times when obeying was not easy, but I would remember your voice. You taught me that just because something is difficult does not mean it is not from God. Another lesson you taught me was, “Always think about what you can give to anyone you meet, not what you can get from them.” Papa, that was truly who you were. You showed me not to judge people by what they could offer me, but by what I could give to them. One memory I will never forget is from when I was a child. You would ask me to join you in long hours of prayer. At that age, I didn’t always understand why we prayed for so long, but you were teaching me something deeper than just prayer. You taught me to seek God and wait for His answer. You helped me see that prayer is not just about talking to God. You showed me that prayer is a two-way conversation. We speak and wait. We ask and listen. That lesson has stayed with me all my life. Papa, I will never forget your prayer life. For about eight years, you prayed from midnight until 5 a.m. Even after all those hours, you still woke us up for morning devotion before school. As a child, I didn’t understand how important this was, but now I do. Now I understand that I grew up watching a man who truly believed in prayer. I remember hearing your voice calling on God while most people were asleep. You taught me to be humble. You taught me to stand by what I believe and not just follow the crowd, but to think for myself. At the same time, you showed me that being strong in my beliefs should never turn into pride. One of the hardest lessons you taught me was forgiveness. You showed me to forgive people, no matter what they did, and to leave vengeance to God. Papa, this was not easy for me. Many things happened in my life from the age of twelve, and some wounds made forgiveness hard. There were times I struggled with what you asked me to do, but you kept teaching me to let go. The most powerful part was that you lived by your own words. You had every reason, as a person, to hold grudges. You faced persecution while serving God. There were threats and even attempts on your life. There were times when we, your children, wondered how long God would keep you safe. After all you went through, none of us could have guessed you would live as long as you did. But God protected you. Before you left this world, you forgave your enemies. You did not leave with bitterness. You left in forgiveness, and all your prophecies came true before your eyes. It’s no surprise that some of your last words were “THANK YOU JESUS” and you passed on “Ojo Isinmi (Sunday)” Papa, you loved us. You truly did. What touches me most now is seeing your love in how you treated your children. Your love didn’t stop with us, it reached your grandchildren too. Now I see that this is what a true legacy looks like. I grew up watching the pure love you shared with Mum and the strong bond between you. Mum was not just your wife. She was your best friend, your confidant, and your companion. You found it hard to be away from her, even for a short time. No matter where life took you, there was always a deep connection between you both. As your child, I saw it, though I didn’t fully understand it then. Now that you are gone, I see it differently. By the way you loved Mum, you taught me that marriage is more than just living together. It is friendship, companionship, and loyalty. It’s no wonder Mum stayed by your side until your last breath. She walked with you through the years, stood by you in your battles, and shared your joys, struggles, ministry, and journey. When the final moment came, she was still there. When I think about this, my heart goes to Mum. I sometimes wonder how she will adjust to life without you. After sharing such a strong bond for so many years, how does someone learn to live without seeing their closest companion for over 62 years? How does she get used to not hearing your voice? How does she adjust to the silence where your conversations once filled the room? How does someone who spent so much of her life with her best friend suddenly adjust to his absence? These are questions I cannot answer. But I find comfort in what you spent your life teaching us about God. I believe the same God Factor you gave us will sustain her. Even though you are no longer with her, I am sure that the values, prayers, advice, and memories you left will keep speaking to her heart. You showed me that spirituality and family love do not have to compete. A man can be deeply committed to God and still devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren. That is a lesson I will always remember. I will miss you. I will miss your voice. I will miss your advice. I will miss the confidence with which you spoke about God. I will miss knowing that somewhere, somehow, you were praying. Even though you are no longer here, I know that what you taught us will continue to guide us. Your prayers, your lessons, and your life still speak to us. Continue to rest in the Lord’s bosom. Thank you for giving me more than material things. Thank you for giving me a strong foundation. Thank you for teaching me to find my way back to God in every season of life. Until we meet again, to part no more. Rest assured, Papa, that I will carry your lessons with me for the rest of my life. Rest well, Teacher Paulu