12 Lessons I learnt from my Dad.

Mazi Osita Umeh was an extraordinary man. Even in life and death, there are many lessons to learn from Nwatakwocha..Nwachinemere. But here are 12 lessons I learnt from my Dad.

(1) Give to Cesar what belongs to Cesar:

My Dad believed in the ethics and norms of tradition. He’s a believer in the gospel of Christ, and also knows that it’s wrong to dump his roots; the tradition that’s been passed down from generations. So he serves his God with all his heart, and also respects the traditions of the land.

(2) Take calculated risks and follow it up:

Nwachinemere has always been a risk taker. From a small boy in Aba struggling to survive, to a great man taking risks that sometimes saw him fail, but would most times find a way out of every situation. Most people would fail if they take the kind of risks he takes, but as Nwachinemere (the son that God provides for), God would always provide a solution to his risks.

(3) Never give up:

I’ve never seen a more hopeful man than my Dad. Even till his last days, he never ever gave up. Always hopeful, always thinking of the next big thing. Even when some of his moves fail, he would be looking for the next opportunity.

(4) Don’t worry:

Even as I write this, I hear his voice saying the words “Don’t… worry” as he would always stress it. It’s one of his favorite words. Even when things look gloomy, he would encourage us not to worry, as big things are coming.

(5) Less Friends, more acquaintances: Friends have not always favored him. He would learn this the hard way. On several occasions “Friends” who turned out to be Frienemies would come close to him only to inflict pain. He learnt to be a lone wolf, having more acquaintances and connections than friends.

(6) Enjoy life while you can:

It’s safe to call my Dad the minister of enjoyment. When he has money, he does the things that makes him happy. He is notoriously known for always buying cars. I used to complain, but now I see why. If he didn’t do what made him happy, he would never have enjoyed life the way he wanted to.

(7) Invest in people:

He’s not called “Ochiri Ozuo” just for the sake of it. It’s because it’s his personality to invest in people. Through him a lot of people/families have been elevated. Always thinking of who and how to help. It’s not just one of the things he loves to do, but one of the things he was called to do — to invest in the lives of people, thereby planting a light in them that shines to others.

(8) “When moral persuasion fails, apply combat”:

In his youthful days, my Dad was a man of combat. Even as he got older, it’s visible from the way he talks and moves. He may try to resolve an issue via talking, but he believes in the later which is combat. Hence when he tries to make you see reason in a diplomatic way and it fails, he will not hesitate to use the other tool ….combat.

(9) God First, Family next:

My Dad was a lover of God and a lover of Family. He would always put God first before embarking in a feat, and has taken risks for family that time and again shows his undying love for us.

(10) Think BIG:

Osita Umeh has never been one to have small thoughts/plans. Whatever he did, he had plans to make it BIG. Since a Lion would never eat grass, he would always go for the big hunt.

(11) Never be Carnally involved with a married person:

I’ve forgotten what we were discussing when he brushed this topic; telling me it’s one of the worse things a man could do to himself. Citing King David as an example, and what happened after he took the wife of another man.

(12) Positive affirmation:

I’m a firm believer that my dad could achieve all things. The things he didn’t achieve was the things death took away from him. He would always have positive affirmations, saying the things he wants to do over and over again, and with time they always come to pass.

I learnt so much from this great man, but I hope these 12 lessons will not only impact my life positively, but also influence yours.

Rest In Peace Dad, I will always love you!