THE
DARKEST DAY OF MY LIFE
OCTOBER
22nd has always been the darkest day of my life.
It carried an event I never thought of having, it stole one of the strongest
currencies I ever had in life, a currency I needed planned to lose so soon in
my life. It punctured the balloon of joy which was in an excited state and
dragged it to a ground state.
As I stepped into October,
the first date that came to my mind was 22nd and like Daniel I
purposed in my heart to make it inspirational but somehow, I became emotional.
Yesterday, as I was chatting with one of my Father’s close friend, I started
crying. He wrote words that stabbed the skin of my tears gland, so hard that I
was bleeding tears. I tried to hold the tears but I cried the more till my eyes
were so red. Anyway, I sent some messages to few friends and relatives and as
they replied my message, the rain of tears increased and at the same time, I
was proud and brought to the reality of a life that awaits me. Before I
continue, join me in my time machine as we drive back in time to exactly nine
years ago when the ‘light’ of my life went off.
MONDAY
OCTOBER 22ND 2007
I came into the room from the bathroom and I
tried to prepare for but I heard my Dad’s cupboard open and heard documents
kissing each other so loudly. I made my way to the sitting room and I noticed
that my Dad was gathering his documents— that was shocking because he did not
mention he would be travelling today. As I put finishing touches to my
preparation, I noticed Mum sitting adjacent to Dad looking at him as if she was
just seeing him for the first time. Anyways, not long after, I left the house
for school.
Later in the evening, My
Mum, Mrs. Stella Okotie, my Cousin, Jite Okotie, and I sat in the sitting room
as we listened to the evening news. Mum was uncomfortable as she complained
that BEST hasn’t called her— Dad had the culture of always calling his wife
immediately after his arrival to Lagos. Suddenly, Mum’s Nokia 1100 rang and it
was Dad calling and I remember I felt relieved but few seconds later, Mum was
shocked to know that the caller was a Stranger. I guess I could remember Mum
confirming she was Mrs. Okotie, the wife of the man who has the phone. The next
thing I remembered was Mum shouting “JESUS”
and her phone falling from her hands as she started crying like a Baby. As we
asked her what exactly went wrong, she then broke the news that my Dad had an
accident. Hearing that got me sick, mad and confused at the same time. I
remember I cried as I was told. Mum placed a call to Dad’s number and we got
the news that the accident happened at Ijebu Ode. Mum asked us to go and sleep
but sleep was far from me as so many thought forced their way into my narrow
and tender mind but soon I was forcefully kidnapped by sleep but I was released
in the early hours of the next day only to find my Mum praying— Mum later told
me years later that she didn't sleep that night, for the first time in her life,
she prayed all through the night. As light broke into the day, Mum got ready and when I asked
where she was going, she said she was on her was way to the hospital at Ijebu
Ode. After she left, I went to school and when I came back home, she wasn’t
back. At last Mum finally came back on 24th of OCTOBER 2007 but
before she came back, some funny events happened.
As I went to school on
Thursday, the world was so fake to me. I felt so empty as everybody in the area
looked at me with a strong sense of pity. Getting to school, I went straight to
my class and sat down. I was in my class but I was at home. My mind thought
through how my Dad opened a company, EMUDOGA GLOBAL VENTURES, just few months
ago. I remembered how I sold dad’s product, electric Mosquito killer, months
earlier and how he gave me my commission for selling each of them. I remembered
how when he comes from Lagos, we would buy a carton of tin milk and other
things his family needed. Anyways, I was strong in school but as I entered the
street where our house was located, I broke down. My Father’s dead MADE ME SEE
MEN CRY LIKE BABIES… to be continued of the 7th of DECEMBER.
BIOGRAPHY
OF BRO JERRY OKOTIE
Mr. Jeremiah Okotie was
born in the year 1958 to the family of John Oghron Okotie of Orhoakpo town. He
had his primary education at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Mission School (R.C.M)
Ayila in Ogun, Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He later proceeded to
Agbarho grammer School for his secondary school education. He then went to
Nigeria Port Authority Training school at Tincan port Apapa, Lagos. He was
posted to Warri in the year 1987 and he served for eight years before he was
transferred to Lagos in the year 1995. He was married to Stella Okotie and had
a Son, Ogagaoghene John OKotie.
He joined Foursquare Gospel
Church in the year 1987 and became an Obedient Christian. He served God
faithfully and died in the Lord. He was a gallant Soldier of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
LESSONS
I LEARNT FROM MY DAD
1. HE WAS A
CHRISTIAN
My Dad was a true
Christian. He served the Lord with all of his life. I remember going to Lagos
in 2005. As I got to his office, he introduced me as his son and I heard his
co-workers addressing me as PASTOR’S SON. Even as a Kid, I was proud of my
father.
2. HE WAS A
READER AND A LEARNER
My Dad was a
committed Reader. Coming to our house then, you will almost think that Bro.
Jerry was a Professor. He read Christian literatures, motivational books and
always listened to NTA news to learn what is currently happening in the
country.
3. HE WAS A
FATHER AND A HUSBAND
There are many Men but there are few Fathers and
Husbands. Bro. Jerry was a Father, he made sure I had all my textbooks. He went
the extra mile of buying extra textbooks, especially in mathematics and
English, just so I get proper understanding of the subjects. Dad was concerned
about the welfare of the children of others. I remember Dad supported paying
the school fees of other children. During Christmas, Dad would buy a bag of
Rice and a Carton of Chicken and would share it around until there is little or
nothing remaining for his family. Those days, this really got me so angry. Dad
was ready to give up his meal for a friend to be satisfied.
I could
write on and on but I just have to stop here because my eyes cannot stop
crying. The world missed a hero, she lost BRO. JERRY OKOTIE.
VISIONS FOR MY DAD
I have alot of plans to put in place just for my Dad’s
memory to be in mind till Jesus comes. But I will share just three with you and
they are:
1. Opening a Non-Governmental Organisation called JEREMIAH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION (JMF)
which will do all Bro. Jerry planned to do before he died.
2. Write a book titled, “THE LIFE OF GOD’S GENERAL, BRO. JERRY OKOTIE—SECRETS OF REMAINING RELEVANT
BEFORE AND AFTER DEATH”.
3. Organizing an international essay competition, JERESTEL ESSAY COMPETITION, for the
less privileged in the society. The Winner would be given a scholarship to
study to any level.
TRIBUTE
TO BRO.JERRY OKOTIE NINE YEARS AFTER DEATH
1. “Jerry Okotie I know was a lover of God, a man that
stands for nothing but the truth. HE
BELIEVED IN A BETTER NIGERIA. HE WAS
A MAN OF VISION… I remember one day as a kid we were in church. I switched
on all the fans and lights even though there was no church service. Bro. Jerry
asked why I did that and I told him I just want to consume as much as possible
energy since NEPA always give us estimated bill –then there was no prepaid
meter. He asked me to switch it off and start getting used to conserving energy
and to avoid wastage. He said ‘if you continue this way, when prepaid meter
eventually comes, that will be how you would waste it’. That was a great lesson
to me, today we have prepaid meter and I am still conserving energy.” — EMMANUEL ABIDAKUN
2. “Mr. Okotie, your nine years exit is still fresh in
our memory. You left a legacy that is worth emulating. While on earth, he stood
for truth, loyalty, hardwork, faithfulness, peace, providence, A SOLUTION TO PROBLEM. Really, he was a
genius. His work cannot be left out. God knows why he called him at that time. May
his soul rest in peace”— COMFORT
OKIEWHRU
3. “Wow! Two things come to mind whenever I remember
Bro. Jerry Okotie. Firstly, someone who is very strict to the core in following
the right path. Secondly, a God fearing Man with a living conscience. It’s a
pity we all missed him”— CHARLES INIEMOR
4. “The Man, Jerry Okotie was a true Soldier of Jesus
while on earth. Oh, It’s already nine years you left, many hearts is still
broken and shattered, none could fill the gap of your departure created among
us, a true disciple. He lived a practical Christian life in word and deed. A
man of integrity, loving, caring, humble and a man of truth. As we remember you
today, may your soul be blessed in his presence. Amen”— REV. NOBLE OKOKO
5. “He always scolded me when I don’t pray in church and
makes me sit close to him while praying”— ELLIOT
MANDEMEDON
6. “Out of thirteen in our compound, he stood out to
impress me as a child, an example of how a husband and a father should be. I
mean you will always see that Christ-like nature in him, a man who doesn’t mind
to say Good Morning to a girl of thirteen not because he wants to correct her
but because he saw her first. I admired his neat personality then, very calm in
spirit, a husband who will not mind washing clothes and cooking food for his
wife when she’s away. There is so much to talk about Sir Jerry which time will
deny of. I won’t fail to talk about the lessons I personally after his death. I
was so scared that if a man as him could be allowed to die then who am I? This
was a question I ask in between tears and at that moment, it dawn on me that IT DOESN’T MATTER WHEN, WHERE AND HOW YOU
DIE BUT WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND ETERNITY… Am privilege to talk about
Sir Jerry today but the question to me and you is, when we are gone, what will be the story told about us be those we
left behind?” — IFEOMA EKEH.
7.” …He was a great family man, A lover
of God, a Positive encourager, Hard working, a man of faith, respect, order and
authority. A true child of God, he loved his children and care for his family
at large…”— PASTOR SHOLA MENE
SMART
I
really have to drop my pen here but I AM
PROUD OF MY FATHER, HE LIVED A LIFE THAT I AM YET TO LIVE. THE MINIMUM STANDARD
FOR ME IS A GREAT ONE. I NEVER WANTED A BE SO GREAT, I ALWAYS WANTED A QUIET
LIFE BUT THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE WORLD IS WAITING TO SEE WHAT WILL
BECOME OF HIS ONLY CHILD. I HERERBY TURN ON THE LIGHT OF THIS DAY BECAUSE WITH MY
DAD’S STORY, I WILL TURN MY PAIN TO GAIN. I SAW AN ESSAY COMPETITION WHICH I AM
ABOUT TO WRITE NOT BECAUSE I WANTED TO BUT BECAUSE I WANT TO TAKE A STEP
TOWARDS TURNING MY PAIN TO GAIN. PLEASE, DO WELL TO LIKE THAT ESSAY NOT BECAUSE
OF ME BUT BECAUSE OF MR JERRY OKOTIE… DEAR
READER, WILL YOUR CHILDREN BE ABLE TO WRITE SUCH AS INSPIRING ARTICLE ABOUT YOU
WHEN YOU ARE GONE? WILL YOUR KIDS BE PROUD OF YOU WHEN YOU ARE GONE? WHAT WILL
BE WRITTEN OF YOU WHEN YOU ARE GONE?... to be continued on December 7th
2016 when I will discuss what happened during the service of song and the
burial.
Bro.
Jerry, I guess you are proud of your Son, you have given me a story that will
be read by generational unborn. You have given me a legacy to follow, a path to
walk through.
GOOD NIGHT BRO. JERRY
GOOD NIGHT BRO. JERRY
AND WITH TEARS, I SAY, “GOOD NIGHT BRO.
JERRY”
TODAY, 22ND OF OCTOBER 2016, I HEREBY FORMALLY TURN ON THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE AND DECLARE OCTOBER 22ND AS THE MOST AMAZING DAY OF MY LIFE.
TODAY, 22ND OF OCTOBER 2016, I HEREBY FORMALLY TURN ON THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE AND DECLARE OCTOBER 22ND AS THE MOST AMAZING DAY OF MY LIFE.
UNLIMITED POJOMATICS
Son Of Brother Jerry Okotie (SOBJO)
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