Hmmm… How could we lose such a great man like you, Daddy? That evening, my sister and I had just completed our first fast of the year. It was a little after 7 PM EST, and we were about to break our fast. She had prepared a sumptuous plate of suya, and as I took my first bite, the call that shattered my heart and changed the entire course of my life came through on Jan’s phone.
I was in denial. For the first 72 hours after hearing of your passing, I couldn’t even shed a tear because I was convinced you would wake up. I held onto the belief that good people don’t leave us. But losing you just six days before my birthday was a bitter pill to swallow. It hit me hard. I still find myself looking for you in the little things, going about my day as though I will report back to you, only to remember that you are no longer here.
Daddy, you were truly an all-rounder, a phenomenal father, a leader, and a mentor to many. You had a heart of gold, a man called by God Himself. Your life was a lesson in itself. I learned so much simply by watching you and seeing you excel as a leader in society while remaining a devoted family man. You always ensured our happiness and resolved every conflict at home with wisdom and fairness. At the time, I thought you simply enjoyed scolding us, but looking back, I realize it was all to shape us into morally upright individuals who would stand out. You taught us to focus on the good in people and situations rather than dwelling on the negative, a lesson I have carried with me and will continue to uphold. As you would say in Lamnso, ‘tey Njang ko ngo’. As much as it hurts that you’re gone and that I didn’t receive your usual heartfelt birthday message this year, I still proudly say that I had the best dad. Borrowing your own words when you said if you had to choose children in another life, you would choose us again; I say, if I had to choose a father in another life, I would still choose you.
The bond we shared was special from the very beginning. As a little girl, I would fall ill the moment you left for work or traveled without telling me. You always reminded me of this, and that same overwhelming weakness overtook me when Mama called to inform us of your passing. Each time I think about it; I shiver in disbelief. Daddy, as much as it pains me that I will never hear your voice again, feel your touch, or share stories, sing, and dance together, from the depths of my heart, I celebrate the man that you were. You always called me “The Queen,” and I will continue to be the Queen you and Mama raised me to be.
Even ten million people could not match the man that you were. You were an extremely kind soul. Even when people wronged you, and the entire family opposed your continued interaction with them, you forgave them and only saw the good in them. You exposed us to the realities of society while still protecting and shielding us. At the time, I resented how strict you were about going out of the house, but looking back now, I realize you saved us from so many things that could have gone wrong. You never failed to discipline us when we did wrong, just as you never failed to praise us when we did right. We never needed anyone else to tell us how beautiful we looked because you were always the first to compliment us in your own unique way, making us feel special. That was the kind of father you were.
I know you were a man of honor who believed in giving honor where it was due. So today, I honor you, Daddy
His Royal Majesty, the King of the Njodzeka Family.
A great humanitarian.
A brilliant strategist.
Mfoome Elolombe.
A man sent by God for His people.
Above all, Daddy, you were a man of God, unwavering in your faith. Seeing how your relationship with God shaped your life has only fueled my own passion for Him. The Bible says in Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Daddy, you embodied this principle, and I believe you completed your work with diligence before both God and man. As much as it hurts us to say goodbye, we love you dearly, but God loves you more. You have run your race, you have fought the good fight, and now it is time for you to rest until we meet again. You will be dearly missed, and your memory will never be forgotten.
I love you so much, Dad.
Your Daughter and Benjamin,
Reinette Berinyuy Njodzeka (“Reine, the Queen”)

A TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER

My father was the strongest man I have ever known. To say he was a good man would be an understatement. He was an extraordinary man who carried himself with humility and grace. He was a devoted friend, a loving brother, a cherished uncle, a dedicated husband, a nurturing father, and a doting grandfather. He loved fully and was deeply loved in return.

My father was(is) a man of many names. To the world, he was Mfòómé Steve, Pa Shumas, Pa Buri, Ntumfon (a title bestowed upon him by His Royal Highness, the Fon of Nkwen), Elolombe of Sadiko village (a title conferred by the traditional council of Nchemba II in Upper Bayang), the development guru, the great humanitarian, Director General of SHUMAS, CEO, jurist, and consultant. But to my siblings and me, he was simply Daddy.

He was the one I turned to when I had nightmares, when I was sick, when I needed help with my homework, or when I sought advice. Despite his many titles, his most treasured role was that of a father. He believed that being a father meant being a protector, a mentor, a provider, a teacher, a confidant, and a source of wisdom, offering guidance through life’s challenges while being a constant source of love and encouragement.

Daddy was intentional about fatherhood. He was always present, always aware. No matter the time of day, he knew exactly what my siblings and I were doing and where we were. His love was meticulous. Even something as simple as changing my WhatsApp profile picture, he would say, “Jiji, you changed your picture! You’re supposed to show Daddy the different options so we can pick one together.” He noticed every little detail about us because he genuinely cared about every aspect of our lives.

I remember quietly changing my nickname from “Jay” to “Jiji,” thinking no one would notice. But Daddy did. He saw everything because he was that committed. He never missed a milestone and never let an accomplishment go unnoticed. He rewarded everything .He was proud of us in ways that words cannot express.

He was a man of strong moral character. His honesty and deep sense of integrity guided everything he did, from his career to his relationships. He believed in doing what was right, even when it was difficult, and he instilled in me the importance of standing firm in my beliefs. He never sought the easy way out, nor did he bend his values for the sake of convenience. Instead, he remained steadfast in his principles, even when faced with adversity. His word was his bond, and his actions consistently reflected his beliefs, making him a source of trust and reliability for those around him.

Daddy was a man of sacrifice. He would sacrifice his time and resources just to help others, and this extended beyond small gestures. He made enormous sacrifices throughout his life for everything he was passionate about. Whether it was for his family, his community, or his work, he always put others before himself, ensuring that his contributions left a lasting impact.

Dad had a unique way of giving advice without making it feel like a lecture. His words were always thoughtful and rooted in experience. He taught me to approach life with curiosity and an open mind, always ready to learn. He was the living embodiment of discipline and hard work. His commitment to excellence was inspiring. He was the very definition of dedication and perseverance.

Beyond his work and responsibilities, my father loved deeply. He loved God, his family, music, dancing, singing, taking pictures, planning ahead, traveling, and exploring new places. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. There are countless memories to cherish, but my favorite moments were our one-on-one conversations. If two weeks passed without our private talks, he would send me a voice note saying, “Jiji, we haven’t had our two-man ‘tori’ ohhh.”

His impact extends beyond our family. He dedicated himself to helping others especially through education because he understood its transformative power. He worked tirelessly to equip and empower others, ensuring that those around him had the tools to reach their full potential.

Daddy, you taught me humility, diligence, discipline, consistency, creativity, and how to apply wisdom in my daily life. You instilled in me the values of kindness, integrity, and resilience. You will be remembered not just for the incredible work you did but for the lives you touched, the people you uplifted, and the humanity you embodied.

As I reflect on your life, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. You were not just an amazing father, you were an exceptional human being. Your love, wisdom, and strength continue to guide me, and your memory remains a source of comfort and inspiration. Though you are no longer here physically, your spirit lives on in every lesson you taught me and every value you instilled in me.

Dad, even though you are no longer physically here, the sound of your laughter, the warmth of your hugs, and the wisdom you imparted are always with me. You were not only a father, you were my friend, my biggest support system, and my greatest cheerleader. With each step I take, your spirit travels alongside me. I miss our talks, your kind guidance, and the simple joy of being with you. The ache of your absence is deep, yet the love you shared will forever illuminate my journey.

Even in your absence, your legacy lives on. I will strive to honor your memory by living a life of integrity, showing love and kindness to others, and finding joy in the simple things. You are not just a memory, you are a part of me, and I will carry your legacy in my heart always.

Dad, I miss you so much. God knows how I long to hug you and tell you the things I never had the chance to say. But one thing I know for sure is that I AM PROUD AND HONORED TO HAVE BEEN YOUR DAUGHTER. I THANK GOD FOR THE YEARS I SPENT WITH YOU AND THE PRIVILEGE OF LOVING YOU.

Rest in peace, Daddy, until we meet again to part no more.

With love,
Daddy’s Girl
Janis Njodzeka, AKA “Jiji “ (Daughter)

Mformi it is heartbreaking and with deep sorry to accept you’re disappearing to heaven. Pa Buri you lived a life full of passion and commitment. You are an all-round person for me a husband, Boss, Mentor and best friend. You are a leader who inspired loyalty and pushed people to be their absolute best, nurturing talent and turning them into something extraordinary, making you believe in yourself, even when you doubted yourself the most. You understood that true success wasn’t just about the bottom line, but about the growth and well-being of those around you. I know of countless stories from people how you have championed their ideas, challenged their assumptions, and ultimately, changed their lives.
You demanded excellence from anyone around and led with compassion, fairness, and with an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork and built a culture where people felt valued, respected, and motivated to give their all. And that, I think, is a legacy we would be incredibly proud of.
We supported each other and celebrated each other’s triumphs. We built a life together filled with laughter, adventure, and a profound understanding of each other’s souls. you knew me better than I knew myself. He saw my flaws, my insecurities, and he loved me not in spite of them, but because of them.
Mformi your absence leaves a void in our lives that can never be truly filled but your spirit. You passion, love will live on in each and every one of us in the lessons you taught, the lives you touched, and the memories we shared.
My love, you were a truly remarkable man. You were a brilliant leader, a trusted mentor, a loyal friend, and the most incredible husband a woman could ever ask for. I will miss you every single day of my life. But I will also cherish the memories we made, the love we shared, and the legacy.
Ta Mformi haan kii jung. Shaati Baah Daniel Dzeereem, Sister Dorothy Yefon, Baah Kuhlon Benedict, Mami Juliana Timfe a wira dzeem, till we meet again. Farewell

Daddy, I never imagined this day would come , the day I would have to write these words. You always told us that the Njodzeka’s are Spartans, raised to be strong and resilient. But beyond being a father, you were my mentor, my best friend, and an elder brother.
Mfoorme, thank you for raising us with a deep understanding of love, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to family and community. You were not just my father; you were a father to all. Your heart was always open, and your joy was contagious. I often asked why you went out of your way to help others, and your answers, filled with wisdom, were lessons that shaped me into a better man teaching me to see life as a whole. No matter the circumstances, you carried a joy within you that uplifted everyone around you.
Dad, the values you instilled in me are countless, but above all, you taught me the importance of strong principles, understanding that everyone has flaws, and never letting my own define me. You firmly believed that hard work pays off and that success is not a matter of luck but the result of dedication and perseverance. You were strict with us, not out of harshness, but out of love shaping us to be strong, disciplined, and to appreciate the value of effort.
Some of my fondest memories are of us watching soccer together and traveling the world in pursuit of humanitarian service. Those moments weren’t just about the game we loved or the places we visited ; they were about bonding, laughter, and shared passion. These memories will remain with me forever.
Above all, Mfoorme, you believed in giving back. You always taught us that true wealth is not in what we accumulate but in what we give. You reminded us, time and again, that family comes first and ensured that we, the Njodzeka’s, remained strong and united. You lived by this principle every day, showing us the true meaning of love, support, and loyalty.
One of the greatest lessons you imparted was the importance of listening. You taught us that wisdom often comes from the most unexpected places and that every voice deserves to be heard. I will never forget the times we traveled to the village and stayed out late, as you gave equal attention to everyone, even those whom society overlooked. You saw value in every individual and treated everyone with dignity and respect.
Dad, you will forever be my hero. Your legacy will live on in the values you instilled in us, the love, kindness, strength, and wisdom you imparted. Though you are no longer physically with us, your presence will always be felt in our hearts.
Rest well, Dad. Your work here is complete, but your love and legacy will never fade.
Your Son