By Pauline Amiebenomo
There are some people you believe will always be there. You never imagine a day when their voice will fall silent, their chair will be empty, and the comforting presence you have known all your life will suddenly become a memory. For me, that person was my father, Rt. Hon. Chevalier Sir Anselm Braimah Amiebenomo.
His passing on 20 June 2026 has left a void in my heart that words can barely describe. Every day, I catch myself wanting to call him to share good news, ask for his advice, or simply hear him say, “Everything will be alright.” Then reality sets in, and I remember that my father has gone home to be with the Lord. It is a loss my siblings and I are still struggling to come to terms with.
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Many people knew my father as an accomplished educationist, an administrator of distinction, a respected union leader, and a devout Catholic. His contributions to education earned him national and international recognition, and he carried every responsibility with dignity and excellence. While those achievements made us immensely proud, they were never what mattered most to us.
To us, he was simply Daddy.
He was the heart of our family. No matter how busy life became or how many responsibilities demanded his attention, he never lost sight of what mattered most. Family always came first. He believed that the strongest legacy anyone could leave behind was a loving and united family, and he devoted his life to making sure we felt loved, protected, and supported.
My father loved children with all his heart. Not just his own children and grandchildren, but every child whose path crossed his. Children were naturally drawn to him because he was gentle, patient, and genuinely interested in them. He always had time to listen, encourage, and make them smile. Watching him with his grandchildren was one of life’s greatest joys. They adored him, and he adored them. Nothing lit up his face more than seeing them happy.
As his daughter, I will forever be grateful for the father God gave me. Daddy was my safe place. He taught us that integrity is priceless, that kindness is never wasted, and that our faith in God should remain unshaken no matter what life brings. He raised us to believe that character is more valuable than wealth and that success means very little if it is not accompanied by humility and compassion.
He did not simply teach these values with words. He lived them every day. He showed us what honesty looked like. He showed us what sacrifice meant. He showed us how to forgive, how to remain humble despite success, and how to treat every human being with dignity and respect.
One of the things I will miss most is his quiet strength. Daddy never allowed panic to overcome him. Whenever any of us faced challenges, he remained calm and reassuring. Somehow, after speaking with him, our burdens always seemed lighter. He had a remarkable way of making us believe that every problem had a solution and that with faith, perseverance, and hard work, brighter days would always come.
He was also a loving and devoted husband who believed that marriage was built on love, respect, patience, and commitment. Even after the heartbreaking loss of our beloved mother, Lady Comfort Amiebenomo, he remained the pillar that kept our family together. In later years, he found companionship with his beloved wife, Mrs. Grace Oboh, whose care and support brought him comfort. Through every season of his life, he demonstrated what it meant to love faithfully and selflessly.
Our home was always open to people. Former students, colleagues, neighbours, friends, priests, and even strangers found warmth, encouragement, and help under his roof. Since his passing, we have heard countless stories from people whose lives he touched in ways we never knew. That was the kind of man he was. He never sought applause for his kindness. Helping others simply came naturally to him.
His Catholic faith guided every aspect of his life. It shaped his decisions, strengthened him during difficult times, and inspired his lifelong commitment to serving both God and humanity. He lived his faith quietly but faithfully, allowing his actions to speak louder than words.
As I reflect on his life, I realise that my father’s greatest achievement was not the many offices he held or the prestigious honours he received. His greatest achievement was the family he built, the values he passed on, and the countless lives he inspired. He gave us roots strong enough to keep us grounded and wings strong enough to pursue our dreams.
My siblings and I will miss him for the rest of our lives. We will miss his laughter, his wisdom, his prayers, his gentle corrections, his warm embrace, and the sense of peace that came with simply knowing he was there. The emptiness his passing has left can never truly be filled, but we find comfort in knowing that his love, his lessons, and his example will remain with us forever.
Daddy, thank you for every sacrifice you made for us, every prayer you whispered on our behalf, every lesson you taught us, and every expression of love you showed us. We are who we are today because of you. Your legacy lives on in your children, your grandchildren, and in everyone whose life was made better because you walked this earth.
You may no longer be with us in person, but you will forever remain in our hearts. We will honour your memory by living the values you held so dearly and by loving one another as you loved us.
Rest peacefully, Daddy. You ran your race with honour, and you ran it well. Until we meet again, you will always be our hero, our greatest blessing, and the man we were privileged to call Father.
