It makes sense...

A prospective member of the fatherless club brought his 83-year old father to our hospital. After the clinical assessment and laboratory investigations, the grandpa was found to have chronic renal failure. When drug treatment did not help him (grandpa ) much, we recommended that the sick elderly man should undergo haemodialysis ie a form of treatment where a dialysis machine takes over the function of the sick kidneys. He had the first treatment and felt a lot better. Within 2 - 3 weeks, he relapsed. He had another shot and several others. Meanwhile, the haemodialysis was eating deep and creating big holes in the prospective club member's pockets. On one occassion, I frowned at him for not taking grandpa for another dialysis session. He pleaded with me that he needed to conserve some resources in case the inevitable happen... I thought about it and I think it made some sense....

Induction into the fatherless club

I believe one is inducted into the big club the day ones dad is buried... is returned back to ashes/mother-earth. How do you celebrate your induction? Different cultures and people have their own way of bidding their loved dads goodbye. In the South Eastern Njgeria where yours sincerely comes from, we celebrate it. We throw lavish parties to a father's exit. It looks logical because the day one is born, there is always a reception party. So, when an actor quits the stage, the living should celebrate the exit. I believe, if one has the resources, the wherewithal, to celebrate ones fathers exit, it is a worthwhile venture! I was inducted on 24th February 2006. I had barely two weeks to invite my friends, arrange for their entertainment and the funfare that accompanies the burial. Fortunately for me, I was doing well in my private medical practice and had enough for my friends on my induction day. Secretly too, after my induction day, I felt like a man, I felt like a father to my kids and a few weeks later, I joined the St Gabriel's Christian fathers of CKC Catholic church, Aba. To God be the glory...

'Baby' club members...

Very unfortunately, some people join the world-wide club at tender ages. In other words, they lost their dads when they are still minors. Well, God knows it all. Yes, they are starting life from a disadvantaged position but I am convinced that what is gonna be, will be. I believe in destiny. Whatever one is destined to be or achieve in life is possible even without a father. A great Nigerian leader - Chief Obafemi Awolowo - joined the fatherless club as a 'baby' member. If you are unfortunate to join as a baby member, take heart; the sky is still your limit as long as you work hard, is dilligent and co-opt God in all your plans. Ideally, we the old members should accept only mature members but fate occassionally decides otherwise...

Joining the fatherless club confidently....

What is the secret? Like I said, I watched the remaining part of the live football match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the other team even when I was informed my own loving dad was lying stone-dead out there. The secret is that I gave him the best of my care and support while he was alive. He had a running battle with Diabetes Mellitus for more than five years, and I afforded him the best of cares and love before and during the illness that took him. Having done that, I know that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come. When death struck him, I was unperturbed. I felt fulfilled. My head was high as I joined the elite fatherless club. So, as a prospective member of our club, go all out to love, care and cherish the one who God used to bring you to mother-earth.... I assure you there will be a type of feeling you have when he passes on.

My admission into the fatherless club...

2.30pm Nigerian time, 7th february 2006. A call came through. I was reluctant to answer it because I was tensed up. Iwas watching a live football match between our own Super Eagles (national team ) of Nigeria and another country in the African Nations Cup. I reluctantly peeped into the handset to know the caller. Seeing the caller wass my senior brother, I grabbed the handset and answered. He broke the news... That the big iroko tree shielding us from the adverse weather conditions of life has just fallen down. That papa just passed on. He was straight to the point. Maybe because he was convinced I was man enough to be admitted to the fatherless club. On my own part, I immediately informed my spouse of my new status and continued watching the live football match as if nothing has happened. Unfortunately, Nigeria lost that match. It was double stragedy for me. I stood my ground that day, absorbing the shocks of the two events. Maybe becaause I was matured enough to be admitted into the big fatherless club. Are you a prospective member of the club? Watch out for how I prepared myself for the big day!

It starts one day...

The world, it is said, is a stage. A man comes on stage, performs, gets the ovation or the contrary; and then leaves. The Hitlers, the Gorbachevs, the Churhills, the Idi Amins, the J.F. Kennedys, the Awolowos. the Azikiwes etc of this world have acted and left. While still on the scene, a man has sons and daughters he cares for, fends for and cherishes. However, one day; a beautiful day like the other days of ones life, the man ( a.k.a the breadwinner ) may just decide its all over. As he is leaving the stage, the sons and daughters automatically get admitted to one BIG umbrella club called THE FATHERLESS CLUB. Yours sincerely has been a financial member for some years now. I joined that beautiful february afternoon...