Father’s Day: At 70, He Wrestled A Man of 60

By Kunle Awosiyan

I knew father couldn’t fight anymore because of his weak legs, yet he rushed out of his room to wrestle one of my uncles.

He was about 70, my uncle was about 60. I wouldn’t know what had led to the brawl.

My uncle had come from our paternal compound, “Jarua Memogba” in Okerewe to challenge my father but met a strong, fearless older man.

They both entered tactics, grabbed one another and struggled to overpower each other but no one fell.

“Thousands of you cannot fall me” father said shortly after my older brother had pushed the uncle away in anger.

The crowd gathered at Agbole Gbonka, our maternal compound to see two old men in a dramatic slugfest.

It is in Lagos I see that men only boast of how they can fight and kill without throwing a single punch.

Men don’t boast in Ile-Ife, they fight when you challenge them. One of those men was Rasheed Olatunji Afolabi Awosiyan. My father was tougher than leather.

Jifodu as he’s fondly called would challenge a monster. He died a brave man and great father.

As the world marks Father’s Day, I celebrate this heir of Awosiyan’s dynasty, Rasidi, Ikoyi Eso omo adile dogun. Omo Okuta meta agba Okerewe mefa.