Piyo......I still can not believe that you are gone. The first emotion I felt at the news of your death was anger. I was angry at the Nigerian government, the Airforce and to be honest, even at God. I couldn't make sense of your death. After everything!
It wasn't until Monday while playing your favorite 2face songs that I let myself feel the pain. The tears flowed.
I went down memory lane. Piyo, my memories of you are are many and go way back. I remembered our Alama days and how excited you used to get when Mrs Shija sang that "Piyo Piyoyo" song during our outdoor PE sessions.
I remembered how you'd spend your lunch money buying stuff at Mama Ozioma's kiosk and then join us, the Rock Haven kids - Osy, Ket Ari, Bugwama, Nyaka and I, on our trek home even though you lived at Busa Buji and would have have to complete the rest of the journey alone. We hardly forgot to make our stop at Maygo school to eat strawberries until the guard chased us. On some days, we walked with you up to Algadama junction before waving good bye.
Under Late Mr Ralph Anokye's tutelage, we wrote the entrance examination into BHS and resumed in September of 2020 as JSS1 students. It was a new environment, we met new people and made new friends, Regardless, you always looked out for me. You remained the very playful and mischievous boy from Alama.
Your dream of becoming a soldier was known by many. After graduation from BHS, a number of us had gained admission into various universities but we, your day ones, were waiting for the NDA to release their list of admissions. We had high hopes that you would be selected. Unfortunately, your name was not on the list. I recall your visit to the house and house distraught you were feeling. Then, I suggested the option of enrolling in Unijos especially as a number of factors were in your favour but you said to me "Maale, I will try again."
You grieved in your own way. At some point, I was worried that you were losing sight of your vision and each time I saw you I was hell bent on giving you "motherly advice". Lol. You began to avoid me. You'd come to the house and remain at the gate while Osy went out to meet you and then , you'd ask him to say hello whenever you dropped him off. I complained to him and he asked me to get off your case and I agreed to lay off.
During my first break in ABU, you came to visit. This time you came into the house. You were wearing running clothes (you ran the distance to our place). When I asked why, you said that you got disqualified after the running stage of the first interview and that you suspected that you did not impress them at that stage so you had decided to run as often as you could in readiness for the next recruitment. You had already applied. My admiration for you grew so much in that moment. You had made a detour, you were back on track and you were putting in the work. No surprise! You were selected the second time around in 2010.
We saw each other on and off over the years, I even worked with you on your BSc. project. You were such a grateful person. You were so excited when the grades came in and you got a high score. The end of the NDA journey was in sight. You graduated and then went on to pilot school.
You held my parents in high regards particularly, my mum. During your first official visit to Jos after your POP, you ensured that you stopped over at the house, dressed and looking sharp in your uniform to appreciate her for her support through the years. You had no idea how good you made her feel. Your parting words to her were "Mummy, don't worry. I'll be back and you'll feel me". Or was it Popsy? I remember when you came to visit with your soldier friends, all of you were dressed in your uniform. He looked out the window, saw you guys and immediately ran in. Looool..... I still wonder what was running through his mind till we informed him that you were in and wanted to see him. He came into the sitting room and he shook your hand. He felt proud of and for you.
Piyo, you became a man before our eyes and Oh! What a fine man you became! You were living out your dream and you had found God and loved Him deeply. The stars were aligning for you and I couldn't be happier. You loved so many and so many loved you. The last time we spoke, you promised to visit me and my daughter, reminding me that she was your daughter too and you and Osy had her back.
You loved but your love for my twin was true, You were there through it all and it made me have a deep respect for you. I'll miss you my dear brother and friend.
I know you are resting with God. Please continue to look out for us up there like you did here on earth.
I'll conclude with the wordings of of one of your favorite songs from Alama:
We will meet in the Golden city in the New Jerusalem
All our pain and all our tears will be no more
We will stand with the host of heaven
And cry holy is the lamb
We will worship and adore you forever more
Adieu Piyo till we meet again. You have run the race and fought the good fight Soldier.
Piyo......I still can not believe that you are gone. The first emotion I felt at the news of your death was anger. I was angry at the Nigerian government, the Airforce and to be honest, even at God. I couldn't make sense of your death. After everything!
It wasn't until Monday while playing your favorite 2face songs that I let myself feel the pain. The tears flowed.
I went down memory lane. Piyo, my memories of you are are many and go way back. I remembered our Alama days and how excited you used to get when Mrs Shija sang that "Piyo Piyoyo" song during our outdoor PE sessions.
I remembered how you'd spend your lunch money buying stuff at Mama Ozioma's kiosk and then join us, the Rock Haven kids - Osy, Ket Ari, Bugwama, Nyaka and I, on our trek home even though you lived at Busa Buji and would have have to complete the rest of the journey alone. We hardly forgot to make our stop at Maygo school to eat strawberries until the guard chased us. On some days, we walked with you up to Algadama junction before waving good bye.
Under Late Mr Ralph Anokye's tutelage, we wrote the entrance examination into BHS and resumed in September of 2020 as JSS1 students. It was a new environment, we met new people and made new friends, Regardless, you always looked out for me. You remained the very playful and mischievous boy from Alama.
Your dream of becoming a soldier was known by many. After graduation from BHS, a number of us had gained admission into various universities but we, your day ones, were waiting for the NDA to release their list of admissions. We had high hopes that you would be selected. Unfortunately, your name was not on the list. I recall your visit to the house and house distraught you were feeling. Then, I suggested the option of enrolling in Unijos especially as a number of factors were in your favour but you said to me "Maale, I will try again."
You grieved in your own way. At some point, I was worried that you were losing sight of your vision and each time I saw you I was hell bent on giving you "motherly advice". Lol. You began to avoid me. You'd come to the house and remain at the gate while Osy went out to meet you and then , you'd ask him to say hello whenever you dropped him off. I complained to him and he asked me to get off your case and I agreed to lay off.
During my first break in ABU, you came to visit. This time you came into the house. You were wearing running clothes (you ran the distance to our place). When I asked why, you said that you got disqualified after the running stage of the first interview and that you suspected that you did not impress them at that stage so you had decided to run as often as you could in readiness for the next recruitment. You had already applied. My admiration for you grew so much in that moment. You had made a detour, you were back on track and you were putting in the work. No surprise! You were selected the second time around in 2010.
We saw each other on and off over the years, I even worked with you on your BSc. project. You were such a grateful person. You were so excited when the grades came in and you got a high score. The end of the NDA journey was in sight. You graduated and then went on to pilot school.
You held my parents in high regards particularly, my mum. During your first official visit to Jos after your POP, you ensured that you stopped over at the house, dressed and looking sharp in your uniform to appreciate her for her support through the years. You had no idea how good you made her feel. Your parting words to her were "Mummy, don't worry. I'll be back and you'll feel me". Or was it Popsy? I remember when you came to visit with your soldier friends, all of you were dressed in your uniform. He looked out the window, saw you guys and immediately ran in. Looool..... I still wonder what was running through his mind till we informed him that you were in and wanted to see him. He came into the sitting room and he shook your hand. He felt proud of and for you.
Piyo, you became a man before our eyes and Oh! What a fine man you became! You were living out your dream and you had found God and loved Him deeply. The stars were aligning for you and I couldn't be happier. You loved so many and so many loved you. The last time we spoke, you promised to visit me and my daughter, reminding me that she was your daughter too and you and Osy had her back.
You loved but your love for my twin was true, You were there through it all and it made me have a deep respect for you. I'll miss you my dear brother and friend.
I know you are resting with God. Please continue to look out for us up there like you did here on earth.
I'll conclude with the wordings of of one of your favorite songs from Alama:
We will meet in the Golden city in the New Jerusalem
All our pain and all our tears will be no more
We will stand with the host of heaven
And cry holy is the lamb
We will worship and adore you forever more
Adieu Piyo till we meet again. You have run the race and fought the good fight Soldier.
