Hey, so I know it has been a while
But I had a lot going on: moved to new apartment with all its attendant drama
Found the love of my life [don't ask, 'cos I'm not telling]
...This blog post is about a totally different matter
I met a young man just slightly over a year ago, at a popular Suya spot in Abuja
We were designated to be flatmates for a year, we became brothers for life
People always wondered how far back we had known ourselves and they found "a year" a rather unbelievable answer
I couldn't believe my good fortune:I had gone through my share of horrible flatmates before [can I get a witness?]
He is truly the brother I never had, I saw him come through for me time and time again
He would yab me sha and I will yab him back and it was always fun
Even though we disagreed on some issues, we always remained friends
I wondered how he could be so cool [I knew my coolness wasn't in doubt, hahahahaha]
Then I met his father....
[Pause] Breathing deeply
And it all clicked!
The caring heart, the down to earth disposition, the charm, the good looks
Were "hand me downs" from father to son
I made him a meal and he actually paid for me it [wasn't expecting that :-)]
That caught my attention: he was different, he had a rare purity of heart and spirit
I met him again one more time and he was beaming with smiles again
He congratulated us on finishing the degree program, he even helped smooth out the crease on the collar of my shirt
He was gracious in his manner and sincere as a good father would
That would be the last time his son or myself would see this colossus of a man alive
I regret I only "met" him and never really got to "know" him
But I know his son: My friend and My brother and by proxy his father
I have read and heard the stories of the goodness of his heart and the depth of his professionalism
His dedication to his faith, his responsibility to his family, his love for all people
I salute and celebrate you Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri
Rest safely in the arms of your creator
