Daddy, you fought a long and difficult battle with illness, and we prayed and hoped for your recovery. Sadly, God called you home. Your passing has left a deep pain in our hearts, but we are grateful for the love and the memories you left behind. Rest peacefully, Daddy — your suffering is over, and you will forever remain in our hearts. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.

Daddy, you were my strength and my example. You carried this family on your knees and never let us see the weight you bore. From you I learnt a faith that never shakes — “God dey, God will do it” — and a smile that refuses to quit. Everything good in me carries your name. Rest well, Baba. Till we meet again.

Daddy, you always smiled as if all was well. You never gave me any reason to think otherwise, even when I knew. Sometimes I would get frustrated, even angry — but through it all I learnt something from you: you always came back filled with so much hope, even on your dying bed. You would call me even when I didn’t pick up, and even when we had only just finished talking. I saw the billionaire in you when there was none. You are the definition of never give up. You suffered the pain of ill health, yet you fought that fight to the very end. Indeed, you are the strength in me that will never give up. You gave me that smile that lights up the atmosphere — yes, I got that from you. I still wear white to this day; I learnt that from you too. Even when you never had enough, you still gave. I remember my university days, before things went down — you always sent me money. I could tell whenever you had been paid, because I knew something was about to hit my account. I used to wonder how much you earned to send me so much; now I know, and I see all that you went through. I learnt to make eba from you, Dad. To my hero, my father, my friend — farewell. You are in charge now.