It still baffles me that my beloved, ever-caring, amiable, versatile, unassuming mentor has passed on.
My father-in-Law who was a foster-father to me, was an exceptional personality who was slow to anger, humble and magnanimous to the extreme. An epitome of transparency and discipline. Truthfulness was his watchword. He made life beautiful for several people through his support. His ilk is rare. He took me as his bonafide son.
Put succinctly, therefore, as gold is special among metals, and diamond among stones, and eagle among birds, so he was special among the populace - ‘Primus interparis’ - first among equals. He had a savvy nature without mincing words. To God be the glory!
Adieu my beloved in-law, adieu the man who stood in ‘locn parentes’ for me, adieu one in a million, adieu an altruist, adieu a nonagenarian cum sage, adieu a great patriarch to the core, adieu a quintessential icon. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen. George. O. Ukponu, Son-in-law.