Tribute to my Father and Friend
Aman of discipline, integrity, hard work, commitment, loyalty, love for family and style. My father was more than my father. He was my friend, mentor and boss. He believed in diligent work, and merit. For him, it was never about monetary gain, but principle. In the last 3 years, going through Law School and then beginning legal practice, we became closer than we’d ever been. We shared ideas, and advised each other. I was privileged to have worked with him, and we bonded in an inexplicable way.
Very often he would say to me, “Boy, I’m advising you now, because you know I won’t be here forever, better listen”. Sometimes it upset me, but every single time I meditated on his message, he was right. I didn’t know, he was preparing me for a time like this. A time when I will have to walk alone, and guide myself in his absence. A time when I would only have him, as a memory and inspiration. A time when I wouldn’t be able to angrily walk in to his bedroom or office and say; “Daddy, see what this person or that person did”. A time when I would have to be my own man, and walk out of his shadow.
Before he left Port Harcourt for his health check in England, he said to me, “Boy, you have to be a man now o. You know I will not be around for a while”.
I was very upset, and visibly so. I wondered if he doubted my capacity to step in briefly for him, especially as I had worked with him very successfully and passionately, on different assignments in very recent times. I did not at the time, want to process that he had said this because there was a possibility, as minute as I would have deemed it at the time, that he would not return.
My Father trusted me with assignments, which I sometimes thought were beyond my age; be it date of birth, or year of call to the Bar. He was never shy of involving me in difficult, challenging, yet fulfilling tasks. Sometimes, they were tiring and annoying. Little did I know, he was preparing me for a time like this.
He was a frank and honest man. He had a very frightening mien, but that was a façade to shield the very soft hearted, tender, loving and caring person that he was.
He was ready to sacrifice everything he had, for family. He loved my Mother, and trusted her with both life and business. Before he assumed the office of Attorney-General of Rivers State, he ran the law firm, Aguma & Co LP with Mum. He gave my siblings and I, the best education he could afford. He put off flamboyance, and instead, ensured the comfort of family and close friends, always. He lived a selfless life.
He supported my dreams and ideas, but always reminded me to seek advice and learn to discern, to take risks, but to always apply caution.
I’m very happy that, he lived his life to the fullest. He laughed, danced, drank, and was merry. He enjoyed the company of his family, and very close friends. He did this, I believe, knowing that no matter how wise or foolish a man is, every being under the sun must face death. Above all, he feared and loved God.
He served the Governor of Rivers State and Rivers State at large, with utmost loyalty and passion. He loved His Excellency, Nyesom Wike dearly, and he never hid it from his family and friends.
Most times when we had our evening discussions, he’d sometimes abruptly say “Boy, make I go see Oga”. He referred to His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, as “Oga”. His loyalty to His Excellency inspires me till this moment, and I thank His Excellency for trusting my Father, giving him the opportunity to serve, and also setting a stage for him to display his legal prowess.
Dad attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, served as a member of the Body of Benchers, as a result of his position as Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, was a Prosecutor, and later a Judge, for the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. He served the Nigeria Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, as Secretary and Chairman respectively, and was a member of the Nigeria Bar Association National Executive Committee.
Dad was very straightforward, he was vocal about his core values. He spent his last days, quietly seeking peace with God.
He was loved by many, and respected by all.
My Mother, Inimefien Ifeyinwa Chinwenwo Aguma, was, and still is, the love of his life.
Good Night Daddy, till morning comes.
“HE SERVED THE GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE AND RIVERS STATE AT LARGE, WITH UTMOST LOYALTY AND PASSION. HE LOVED HIS EXCELLENCY, NYESOM WIKE DEARLY, AND HE NEVER HID IT FROM HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS”