<p>If you grew up in Nigeria and you're in your mid- or late 20's, I believe you can recall those fond moments when your dad returns from work and you're all screaming, Daddy Oyoyo, Daddy Oyoyo, Daddy Oyoyo! In some of the cases, our dad's will form hard guy and tell us to behave and stop jumping, but in their hearts, joy wan finish them. Sincerely, no one should grow up without a dad, but life has different plans for everyone. It just dawned on me that I barely write about my dad, yet the values and lessons I have learned from him still shape the course of my life.<br></p><p> <img src="/media/inline_insight_image/pexels-cottonbro-6595039.jpg" alt=""></p><p>I think it's time we moved our fathers from the Unsung Heroes group chat and placed them in the Hall of Fame group chat. I believe that, as a man, your father is perhaps the only person who genuinely wants you to do better than him. Your dad legit wants you to outlive and outperform him. So yeah, let's give them their flowers while they are among us. Yes, I know some fathers don loose guard and have hurt their families on quantum levels. I'm not here to judge them; we've never worn their shoes. Like Black Sheriff said, "who never fvck up hands in the air, no hands."</p><p>I can bet that you've barely or probably not heard your dad say that he's not fine or that he's feeling weak. Yo, do am if e easy! Yes, I get the rationale behind the clamour that men should speak up, but no one really is ready to be a man! The tutorials are not on Coursera, Udemy, or Selar. I hope that makes sense to you. It's like the burden of the world rests on your shoulders. And you somehow have to live for others daily. </p><p>To every man and father out there, I need you to know that YOU ARE ENOUGH. </p><p>To the boys, you will become a man while still a child. Stay Strong.</p><p><img src="/media/inline_insight_image/pexels-a-darmel-7322383.jpg"><br></p><p>When shadows crawl at night</p><p>Our fathers save us with light</p><p>When we tremble and doubt</p><p>They remind us that we too can sprout</p><p> </p><p>Though unfit at first glance</p><p>He believes he'll learn this tedious dance</p><p>So step by step, he climbs</p><p>Day by day he tries</p><p>Hard to find</p><p>A way to be our mirror</p><p>The door to a world of peace</p><p>One he never had</p><p>So if you've never heard</p><p>Know this</p><p>Fathers are human</p><p>They'll till </p><p>You'll bill</p><p>Yet you're still</p><p>In their will</p><p> </p><p>Not all fathers leave</p><p>And some did so you could live</p><p> </p><p>Fathers are human</p><p>Some are haunted</p><p>They feel unwanted</p><p>Yet in their embrace</p><p>We find our place</p><p>Their lives are torn</p><p><br></p><p>Yet when you smile, they say, I WON.</p><p><br></p>
DADDY OYOYO
By
Samuel Ibok