Sunday, 9 April 2017

TRIBUTE TO BAAMI

Baami (my father) was born on a Wednesday, that has nothing to do with this, but just so you know.

My first conscious memories of him include going with him to his office, playing chess together, him playing the keyboard and of course, him with a whip ("wire") in his hand & pain in my buttocks (I must have committed one of a wide range of trespasses, you take a guess).

Now, I really didn't like Baami much in my teenage years (how many guys do?), but I grew to realise how much better off my life is with him as my father. I came to certain understandings of fatherhood & sonship, and he also kind of "chilled out", so we sort of met in the middle. Today, I know without a doubt that I love him and he loves me, and that is a really big deal. It is.

Baami is 65 years old today. I know it may be a few years too early to write a biography, but hey, we can always start rehearsing.

Scripture says a good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children. Now, most people (including me) believe that refers to physical resources, and so it does. Yet, it is clear that a proper inheritance goes way beyond mere physical resources that perish with the use thereof. Baami is a good man in every definition of the term.

The first inheritance he gave us to use & pass to our children is the Word. He taught us every morning until we could also teach from the "Our Daily Bread" devotional. He and the rest of the family were my first audience. He made sure we were fed with the Word at home, took us to church & also gave us freedom to go to places like Happiness Club where we were fed with even more.

The second inheritance is a good name. I tell you, I have never been to a place where someone knew/discovered I'm his son and didn't speak well of him or attend to me well. Even when he made enemies by standing for the truth in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; I was never at a disadvantage for it. I applied wisdom too sha o!

The third inheritance: opportunities. He has given us opportunities in life, within his ability. I tell you, each one of his children (biological & numerous others) have good standing in life because of him. He has always encouraged us to go for the best. And he & Maami have been our cheerleading team all the way.

The fourth inheritance is the blessing. I don't know anyone who blesses better than my parents. Every morning, every birthday, every new phase & everything that looks like an opportunity to bless; they release spiritual blessings through words & the laying on of hands. I learnt from the best!

The fifth is physical wealth. If he leaves for heaven before us, he will leave his earthly wealth to his children's children, because his children will be too busy administering their own wealth to add the burden of his own! But even now that he's with us, I can testify that since my childhood, I've never known him to fail in his responsibilities, and now we can stand without support. So, he has already given us that inheritance.

I could go on & on. Baami, if you ever happen to wonder whether you're still relevant to us, to me; I want you to remember this: you are indispensable & invaluable. Thank God that He has helped you to raise us to be able to stand on our own; but even now, you remain a father. We may not need physical provision anymore, but there's so much more that you're still giving: your exemplary lifestyle (especially in generosity & fearless standing for truth), your strong support in all things, your blessing, your prayer etc. All these things are timeless, seasonless & priceless.

Reverend Professor Ifeolu Kehinde Adewumi, olowo ori Adejoke, baba Dr Tomi Imarah, Engineer Tolu Olukoga, Moneybag Ayo Adewumi ati Dr Jesutola Adewumi; father of many non-biological children spiritual & temporal, astute academic mind & CEO of Greengold Initiative, I greet you.

Most blessed of fathers are you, may you be favored by all, may you bathe your feet in oil. The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days (Deuteronomy 33:24&25).

And lest I forget, happy birthday. I love you Baami. Your favourite son, Ayanfe.

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