When Grand Papa is No More

Life is one of the best gifts from the creator. It's something good to remark that life comes first before any other thing as it is said in our local dialect 'Ndu Bu Isi'. Several years back, the papa 'Edward' joined his ancestors. I am glad to tell my experience with readers about the glorious pass on of one greatest legend of our time.

Papa Edward life events was an intriguing one in the sense that he touched the lives of people, relations and strangers alike. He is a role model always leading by examples. Some parts of the early life stories of Papa Edward Eboh were told by my Dad and uncles whom are very closer than I am. But the stories I knew about him are so numerous.

In the early 1940s' before the Nigerian civil war, Papa had trained up his children in the fear of God. He is a Christian by faith and has settled in the bracing land of Umuokwaraku Umuelekeuba in Okohia Isisekenesi. He was a farmer and a craftsman. He had a yam barn and vast hectares of land. He too had some other local investments like the palm wine venture.

Papa was a silent achiever in the community he lived. People would always seek advice from him before venturing into any deal. He is not the village judge but then peace through reconciliation of parties in disputes was settled in his home hut (Obi).

Papa is an entertainer. He would serve us drinks of all sorts any time we pay a visit to his hut. In fact, I have to say that he thought me how to taste alcohol. He made his grand children to know that drinks are ok to the body if not in excess. Besides, his stories are second to none. Some proverbs not found in the dictionary were thought to us by him.

'Dike m'-hero, as I knew him, died of what kills the old people. I knew he would not survive that the time I visited him in the hospital because of how he was responding but one remarkable thing was that we called me 'Maiko', the popular name he knew me for. He passed on in September 2005 after a protracted illness.

Now after his death, things seem so dull when I can see him let alone here from him. The irreparable lost still remains evergreen and I have never seized to pray for him. There in his local hut, no body could be found. One could only here the birds' chorus in a serene environment. It's very empty while the other side of his apartment was given to the gate man of the eldest of his son to live. On that, I no more go through the front gate because papa is no more. Instead I would go through the back entrance to my home for there is closer to my own house.

But then I am happy he lives even after dead. This is my faith as a Christian for one day we shall meet again. Adieu Papa. Adieu great Hero!