Sleep well Daddy, we love you. . . . August 24 1937 - August 10 2010

So the past 1month one line of a song (can't remember the title or who sang it) that keeps coming to my mind is "yesterday I got a call and it said that my daddy died". August 10th 2010, got that phone call!!! I was told daddy had died!!! Which daddy??? My daddy??? I was told I screamed I can't even remember! I wasn't sure I heard right! I kept telling myself that it was a mistake! Probably my sister didn't get the message! How could daddy die? How?? How??? There was no one to answer that question! I cried and laughed at the same time!
Made some calls to feel better! I tried so hard to hide the pain and tears in my heart! As I write this piece I've got tears in my eyes! Tears of a daughter who lost her dad, tears of a daughter who'll miss her dad so bad! I find it hard referring to him in "past tense"!
My daddy is a good man, I remember growing up, primary school! Daddy made sure we were comfortable! I can categorically say that he spoilt me silly! It was the same with my other 11sibblings, he made sure he was there for us, he treated each one of us like 12eggs(I am the 11th child) very fragile, to be handled with care! He was so full of life, very funny and interesting! He was always willing to listen,He's the most generous man I have ever known, asides from my 11 siblings! I had other people I knew as my siblings, almost 20 other people who called him daddy and he played the role of a father! He carried everyone along, he tried to be there for as many people as he could be there for! I remember the late night stories, I remember him teaching me how to speak my language I remember the many times he'd scold us, (He was stylishly strict) I remember the tears in his eyes everytime anyone of us was sick (especially me cos I was always falling ill), too many memories, 1 million and one, if told to write a billion words essay on "My Dad" I'll go on and on!
He wanted all his kids to be educated and learned, well he achieved that! He had doctors, a pharmacist, an architect bankers etc as children, he had 18grandkids, for everytime I read about his passing and his achievements! I am proud, I didn't know my dad achieved so much! Yea he used to tell us how he was a brilliant student and all, he'd show us his results and certificates to encourage us!he was a very supportive and protective father!
At least all these should console me, but even if he died at 120years I'll still cry this tears! I used to say that the only 2men I ever really loved 100% were my dad and my kid bro! Now daddy's gone! I wish I had gotten into school early enough so he'd have seen me graduate from university! Who's going to be my daddy on my wedding day, who's going to give my kids auchi names? Who am I going to cry to and talk to when things are unclear! Every time I got a job or I got something doing! Daddy would encourage me and smile! He told my mum to tell me to call him a week before he died! Little did I know that was the last I'll hear from him! I remember what he told me that day and I'll never forget!
Most times I wish I could see him! Atleast talk to him, ask him a few questions! Tell him a few things! I wish I could get one last chance! Its still like a dream! I hope I wake up soon! I look at his picture and it feels like he's staring at me, talking to me, trying to say something! I know after a while I'll get used to the fact that he'll be away for a very looong time! For now am allowed to lock myself in the toilet and cry sometimes, right???
I understand that we all would return to God someday! It was Daddy's time! God needed him! He was fulfilled and he had completed his assignment on earth! August 19 the day he was buried, the wailing women, the sad faces of the men, the jampacked Yakubu compound, and the rain that fell as soon as he was lowered into the grave and stopped as the spot was refilled! I realised how important and great my daddy was! I love my dad and having him as my dad is the best thing that happened to me! He was a father, my friend, my mentor! And every time I hear anyone talk about him, or anytime I read his some of his writings! I smile . . . . Because he lived a good life, he lived long enough to see his kids grow and to see his grandchildren (18 of them) he was an achiever! And he'd NEVER be forgotten. Sleep well Alhaji Ikhazs Yakubu my father my friend ,my mentor!!!! Am sure NIPR (Nigerian Institute of Public Relations) would also not forget you! You left a significant mark with everything you did , everyone you knew and everywhere you went!!! Till we meet again!!!!