I guess i had got so used to you being around like the rock of Gibraltar, in my mind, the assumption is that you will always be here ! How wrong I am.
Last week as I stopped by to see you and conduct my illusory “soothing firm grip test”, I gave you the preceeding “hi-fiver” and proceeded to the handshake , your grip was firm, and that was the re assurance I needed to proceed, this was followed the usual ” I am fine , i am fine “, then your normal worries about my travails politically , i asked you not to worry, then your prayers before leaving your bedside.
I turned to leave , and you leaned forward and said Safe journey Congressman, as you would, my response was ” ma ri yin ni next week, I left with you with you adjusting the volume of the radio as you tried to catch up with the news.
I was not prepared for the developments from Monday evening, when Wunmi, our super Sister and Demola called me and both sounded frantic..
They had been struggling to convince you to allow them take you to the hospital, which you were resisting, then the call to me because they know i can swing it.
I said Daddy common, oya e tele won, and you said, you didnt want any injections, I retorted..who told you that they will give you injections? Oya e dide .. you agreed.
I was not very disturbed because we went through this road about this time last year and it was a more disturbing presentation then, but through the grace of God, you bounced back stronger , so I never thought this “small” one this time will be an issue, I trusted in the Intergrity of my firm grip test, mixed with your strong will..
There was nothing to suggest that I will be writing this when I was already sure today, but here I am doing this when I was looking forward to our evening chat.
Anyway.. I cant even get my thought together
Daddy this one nah strong thing ! I apologise for all the pressure and pain points that my political travails over the last 12 years had constituted, i am sorry that you had to bear my pains and the weight as a good father would, you knew me well enough, you intervened where you could even without being prodded or any prompting from me ..and with all that, and now this..painful
This is the most painful part for me ..my heart is deeply sore
Let me thank most sincere everyone too numerous to mention for the profuse and effusive outpouring of words of comfort and expressions of kindness and solidarity as the phase of another journey in life as a fatherless and motherless boy starts.
I must acknowledge with gratitude the show of fraternal love by my brother our dear Governor, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for the early call, followed by his personal condolence visit, my Gomina, I can’t thank you enough Sir.
Of special note is the deep, reassuring, comforting motherly call from our dearest First Lady, H.E Professor Mrs Olayemi Oyebanji ,Ma, you have so much of love in your heart and you never hesitate to give it most effusively, thank you so much Ma.
To my dearest brother and soul mate , Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, my brother thank you, for your soothing words, Our own warm and affectionate Deputy Governor, H.E Princess Monisade Christianah Afuye, i thank you for the warm thought.
To all the Distinguished Senators , Members House of Representatives, State Assembly members, ancient, past and present, Kabiyesis , and our family and friends, I cannot thank you enough, I will draw fortitude from your words .
E see gaan
Congressman Bimbo Daramola