A TRIBUTE TO MY LATE FATHER ADIEU PAPA – WE CELEBRATE YOU
A few days ago, my father, NA/505434 RSM Ahmedu Ocholi (Rtd) passed on. As we reflect on his 90 eventful and exciting years on earth, I am grateful that of all people God chose to be my father, He chose this man of great character.
Papa was a wonderful family man with a big heart, a role model who had room for everybody and never stopped helping people. He believed so much in sharing. He was like an Angel, with a pure heart of gold who helped the needy without expecting anything in return, including those he never knew that looked up to him. He was a simple man, a good story teller, and a teacher whose knowledge of World Geo-Politics was at a high level. One of his best moments was whenever he was with his grand and great grand children.
Knowing my father was a blessing because he radiated so much love around him. I have always marveled how a peasant farmer like himself who started as a farm labourer on a Cocoa Plantation in Western Nigeria in the mid 1950s turned out to be a much revered icon. He was an inspiration to the entire Ocholi clan. Notwithstanding his lack of a formal education, he sacrificed his time, amongst other things, ensuring that his children and extended family members acquired the requisite western education that will be useful to us.
This long list include; Retired Army Captain Moses Ahmedu (deceased), Sule Jerry Ahmed (USA), Maria Ahmedu, Dr. Godwin Ahmedu (Medical Practitioner), Josiah Ahmedu (Free Lance Sports Journalist), Peter Ahmedu (Currently Coach of Dolphins Women’s Basketball Club /Assistant Coach of Nigeria’s National Women Basketball Team – D’Tigres), Gloria Ahmedu, (now Mrs. Abu Umoru , a Business practitioner), Tony Ahmedu (formerly of Dodan Warriors and now US based), music icon Friday Obiabo Augustine Ahmedu, aka BlackFace Naija), yours sincerely and lots more.
Papa was a Soldier’s Soldier. He retired voluntarily from the Nigeria Army after over 35 years of meritorious service. He politely turned down an offer to follow his British Farm Manager to England after serving as his steward in his penultimate year on the Cocoa farm, during which he learnt how to read and write in sparing English, after which his boss encouraged him to join the Nigerian Army. Since joining the Army and training at the Nigerian Regiment Training Centre, (later Depot NA from 1960), “ Dan Gara” (meaning Son of Igala in Hausa as he was fondly called because of the distinct tribal marks on his face), never looked back. He was part of the Nigerian Contingent which actively participated in the UN Peace Keeping Operations in Congo, around the Katanga Region between 1961-1963, where he served with the likes of notable latter day Generals; Adeyinka Adebayo, Olusegun Obasanjo, Samuel Ogbemudia and Major David Odiwo (Rtd). A few years after their return from the Congo, where he had imbibed the culture of listening to Congo Music, his unit, Depot NA, was thrust into the 1966 crises. Thereafter, he served in 5th Battalion in Kano and later in the Federal Guards, Lagos from where he was an active participant in the battle of Ore during the Nigerian Civil War. He got injured in battle when he led a team to rescue one of his senior officers who had been cut off from his troops and that officer remained grateful to him until his passing. In recognition of his act of bravery at Ore, he was promoted to the rank of Sgt and rehabilitated with a Drill Instructors Course at the Nigerian Army Military Training Centre in Jaji, Kaduna. From there he proceeded for further training at the All Arms Drill Wing, British Army, in Surrey, England, where he distinguished himself once again.
Though not an active sportsman, he loved sports like no man’s business. He followed all the boxing bouts of Dick Tiger, Hogan Bassey and Mohammed Ali in the good old days. He also had a penchant for watching on TV all English Football matches right from the days of “Star Soccer“ and was a regular at the Onikan Stadium where he took me at times to watch LAFA League matches and whole heartedly supported Stationery Stores. His favourite player was Muyiwa Oshode, whom he would often give money to whenever he scored a goal and crawled to the sidelines to greet the fans. Mr. Pereira who was in charge at the Onikan VIP entrance (Swimming Pool end), provided a free All Access VIP pass for this purpose. Until his passing, he continued with his passion for Football with the English Premiership notably as a Manchester United supporter.. Though he did not bother much about Basketball, he motivated us all as we navigated our way through the ups and downs in the game. I was pleasantly surprised when he showed up one day in 1975, at the National Stadium, Lagos, to see me play for North Central State Intermediate Team against Rivers State during the 2nd National Sports Festival. He supported me all the way as I struggled to establish the Dodan Warriors Basketball Programme without which a lot of the kids that were blessed may not have been touched the way they were. He was also a mentor to the “Plantashun Boys” at the formative stage when our house in Otukpo became a meeting point of some sorts for the trio and their friends. One of his favourite advice was for us to always find time to do the things that makes us happy. The other advice was in the light of; anything you accomplish starts with a desire to try it out and always be brave to stand up for what you believe in, even if you are standing alone.
My Father loved Life and in his prime he had all the latest music of the 60s; Juju, James Brown, Wilson Picket, Ramblers Dance Band, M’bilia Bel, OK Jazz and Miriam Makeba, Victor Olaiya, Victor Uwaifo, Osita Osadebe, Celestine Ukwu , Rex Jim Lawson, Iyang Henshaw, Fela, Jim Reeves, Skeeter Davis and Millie Small ” the Bournvita Girl” to mention a few were his favourite collections. He also loved attending “The Bar Beach Show” where he cultivated an amiable relationship with Jab Adu, the presenter of the very popular TV show. He was also an occasional guest at the famous Koriko Bar on Lagos Island.
This brave, courageous and non – tribalist that was my father believed in the virtues of hard work and dignity of labor. He shunned all temptations to get rich quick, a trait we are proud of. I have seen myself in his footsteps on many fronts. Following Playwright Ola Rotimi’s words as he signified the meaning of tradition in his classic Nigerian folklore book/play “Kurunmi” ; like the Gaboon viper, we have taken up his habit, poison and all; like the plantain, we the saplings have taken his place and when the fire died, as ashes, we bear his memory in a shroud of white fluff.
Though a great loss, we do not consider his passing as death. Papa is just away, for it is generally accepted that “to live in the hearts of those we love is not to die”. He remains alive in our hearts as we will continue to celebrate and pay tribute to him because we are a piece of his living legacy. The world is a stage and he has played his part. And while all of the Ocholi family, including his grand/great grand children, Sons and Daughters – in law continue to hold on to his memories because it is hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember, we will let him go, so he can have his well deserved rest.
Adieu, Papa. Rest in Peace.
Colonel Sam Ahmedu (Rtd)
For & On Behalf of the Family
