TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND TURNED BROTHER
I called him 'Batoba"...Toba, for short and he called me 'Loly'...short form for 'Lolycado'. Just like most young adults, we gave each other nicknames. That was some of our rites of passage from teenage years to adulthood.
Toba's family lived at Uratta Area in Aba; and I’m from Eziukwu Aba, both in Abia State. We lived some bicycle ride distance away from each other. We both attended Sacred Heart College, Eziukwu-Aba, but I was a class year ahead of him. We were very close both at home and at school ... sometimes living in the same school dormitory.
We both gained scholarship to study in the United Kingdom at the same time, many years later. He studied Food Technology, specializing in Meat processing and products, I think ... (for he was very good at it). He was based in Blackpool while my school was in South London. Just like brothers and friends, we visited each other during the holidays.
Returning to Nigeria, Toba worked first with United Trading Company (UTC) Stores. He excelled in his career and was of a great service to his industry and everyone he met. Over time, the Nigerian ' task' of trying to raise a family barely allowed us to keep in touch or communicate often. Telephones (never mind I worked in that industry) was a thing of luxury some decades ago. Thank God our wives and children kept the flame alive, especially my eldest daughter Chisom and Kelechi (Toba’s eldest daughter). Both ladies connected with each other in London, UK and later in USA and Canada. This helped bring our families together again in our latter years.
Toba was kind-hearted, cheerful and large at heart. Even if he had a difference in opinion on an issue, he often ends it with his warm and infectious smile.
Toba, though my family, including hometown folks and loved ones haven’t seen you for quite some years, you have always been on our mind.
My late mom (even from her grave) will miss you. She used to call you 'Enyi nwa m '....meaning, my son's friend.
My wife and children will miss you. We love you, but God loves you most.
On behalf of my immediate family and the larger ERONDU Family, may our merciful God keep your soul safe. May your soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God continue to Rest in Peace, Amen!
Signed,
Prince Okey Erondu, on behalf of Erondu Family.