He started attending African Church Primary School in 1949/1950.He had his own customized uniform for his first couple of weeks in school- a wrapper knotted at the neck and no shoes. This was because the family could not afford them. He moved to Our Mother of the Redeemer Catholic School because the facilities were better. A move that was difficult as the headmaster of African Church Primary School did not want to lose his best pupil. Shortly after Baaba died, Daddy lost his new Father figure, his Uncle Papo. The death was a big blow to the family. He stayed with several siblings and his maternal family.
Shortly after, a new chapter began in his life. Odeh Emretane (Daddy's elder brother) asked that daddy move to Lagos. Pa Odeh (of blessed memory) arranged for him to attend Secondary Modern School in Itire Surulere in 1958. He excelled there and moved on to prepare for his British Cambridge O' and A' Levels which he passed in flying colours.
He joined British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) in 1969. He started in the Reservations Department from where he moved to travel shops (Ticketing). He became a full sales Representative and was posted to Warri. He was moved back to Lagos and was for 11 years, British Airways (BA) Off-line as Sales Rep. When BOAC became British Caledonian Airways, he was posted to Port Harcourt as District Manager. In 1988, he was moved back to Lagos Telephone Sales and Youth Control Manager. His job got expanded and rose up the ranks as Retail and Distribution Manager, West Africa.
BOAC and British Airways afforded him the opportunity to take part in several courses in management, marketing, etc in Nigeria and abroad. He had a full rewarding career in aviation and contributed positively to the industry until his retirement in 2009 after 40 years.
He met his lovely and gorgeous wife on the job and married 39 years ago. He was blessed with 6 amazing children -Nere, Omo, Ono, Rime, Bibo and Renate. The family has expanded to include superb in-laws and beautiful grandchildren.
Pa Willie as he was fondly called (first in BA, then by all) was a strong lover of family. He was a selfless man and invested in people more than any other earthly possession. He was a strong football fan and supported Chelsea and Stationary Stores recruiting local players for the latter just for the love of football and people. Daddy was a great lover of music, he had a collection of albums of various artists like Tina Turner, The Temptations, Craig David, Spice Girls, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Bob Marley, Bee Gees, Rod Stewart and much more. His taste was impeccable and transcended genre and time. Pa Willie was a true detribalized Nigerian. His love for this great nation was second to none.
Pa Willie was baptised into the Catholic Faith in Childhood and developed a close relationship with Jesus more so near the end of his race on earth. He boldly declared that he was a sinner and saved only by grace.
Pa Willie will surely be missed.
RIP Daddy.
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