The story of ejekinwo is more than that of a young boy who lost his pencils everyday in school.

It is of a father who always remembered to ask, and bought a pack of pencils, so that after the lesson was taught through stern admonition to remind me to be more careful, he’d always have a pencil for me.

My father was a man who showed us that love is in the details. It was in the way he remembered the little things, the way he showed up, time and again, with exactly what we needed – whether it was a pencil, a kind word, or a steady hand to guide us through life’s challenges.

Thank you daddy. Your memory is etched in every step I take, every choice I make, and every pencil I hold.

You will forever be in our heart.

My dad was a man of quiet strength and unwavering integrity. And when he was in the best of moods, he was the life of the party – lighting up the room with his charm, energy, and deep love for others. He believed in hard work, in honesty, and in doing the right thing –; especially when it was difficult.

He taught me countless lessons: how to be a decent man, how to take responsibility, how to avoid excuses, how to care for family, and how to care for those around us. He lived with a strong sense of community and treated everyone with the same love and respect he gave his own family.

One of our running jokes was his nickname for me – “no shaking.” He used it because he believed that difficult situations make us stronger. Whenever he asked me a tough question or gave me a challenge, I’d respond with “no shaking,” meaning I was ready to take it on.

It became a bond between us – father and son – rooted in resilience, trust, and love.

Though I feel the weight of my father’s loss, I’m consoled by the fact that he will always remain in our hearts and thoughts. I carry with me his lessons, the image of his unique smile, and his ability to scold and love at the same time – qualities that have helped shape who I am today as a man, a father, and a husband.

I will always miss my dad. He was a great man.