11/08/2022
Chief Stephen Obi Enyabine
February 27th 1942 to May 27th 2022
The late chief S.O Enyabine was born February 27th 1942 at Samaru-Zaria, Kaduna state into the family of late Okwuesum John and Omayokwu Eunice Enyabine of Ogbembor, Ushie in Ndokwa East local government area of Delta state, Nigeria.
He attended primary and Government Technical School in idah, formerly Benue state now Kogi state. He was selected on merit for a job offer to be part of the UAC Foods Limited.
Along this period, he met his wife of fifty- five years, Mrs Etigwan Francisca Enyabine (nee Achike Ozenah) of Ogbe-Ogwashi, Ushie. They are blessed with children and grandchildren.
In 1969, September 1st, he was offered employment with the Central Bank of Nigeria. All through this time in the banking industry, he attended courses on Engineering, as this was his area of specialization. Trainings took him to Syracuse, the city of New York, United States of America and France.
He retired from the Central Bank of Nigeria honourably as an Assistant Director in the Building and Engineering Service department in 2002 after thirty-three years of meritorious service.
He was also the president of Ushie Development union, Lagos and later General President of Ushie development union.
He loves God in his own way because he reads the bible and prays from 6.00am to 6.30am on a daily basis. He never misses this. He also listens to the radio after which, he heads to the small parlour and calls for his fruits then tea with either bread or snacks. Then reads his punch newspaper. He sleeps a bit and 11am he goes to his ‘office ‘ ( Tunde the Vulcanizer at old Akute). 1.45pm he lives for home. 2pm ,he takes his lunch and drugs. 3pm he takes his siesta. 4.30pm he is up, goes outside the gate for fresh air and chat with neighbours ( Mrs Iweke and students or staff of down syndrome) till 6.35pm. He comes in to watch the news, Politics today, and any other program. 9pm goes in to take his bath and comes to take his drugs or ask Yunasom to massage his back after which will watch funny videos on WhatsApp and shares this with us. 10pm he retires finally to bed and robs this on all of us. Even the generator is put off at this time. This was his daily routine.
He also loves music: Nat King Cole, Jim Reeves, Don Williams (because he made me listen to them during the time I was preparing for my WAEC examination in 1985)and the traditional music like Rogana, Isioma, Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Victor Olaiya, Onyeka and Shina Peters and other great artists of the 60s and 70s.
He also loves wrestling matches, I remembered when Bini said, “Papa called me to find out who won in the different bouts of the wrestlemania fights”. Not forgetting his love for nature. National Geo wild channel. Watching lions, tigers, crocodiles, sharks or snakes devour their preys. Dstv, you just lost a loyal subscriber.
He cherishes family and the very low income earners, because he believes that “You must be humble and accept people irrespective of their economic status because you definitely need them when the time comes “.
Papa, as he was fondly called, loved his children in his own way. He laid down rules that must be adhered to as long as you are under his roof. He believes in investment and securing the future. He taught his children and wife the act of saving no matter what your income is and have the zeal to build for the future today.
He is strict and feared by those who don’t know him and hated by those he tells the truth. It is what it is, take it or leave it. He has his flaws ,who doesn’t? That makes him human.
“In everything you do, put God first “ was his watchword.
A man of generosity, benevolence and TRUE LOVE and holder of tradition, for he cherish tradition because to him, that defines who we are , our origin.
He gave love to many , hence his exit had left a spear in the hearts of many and will forever be remembered as an icon, a legend and a great Gem by all .
The inevitable hands of death ushered him away on that fateful day, 27th of May, 2022 while watching the news ( Channels, AIT, CNN weather report) surrounded by children in a peaceful way.
May the almighty God grant you eternal rest.
Adieu Papa
