Omoyemi Yekini, a first year student of English and Literary Studies, University of Ilorin, is the second daughter of fallen footballer, Rashidi Yekini. She tells ’TANA AIYEJINA about her memories of her late father and plans to immortalise him
What are you doing presently?
I’m studying English and Literary Studies at the University of Ilorin. I’ll be through with my first year in July.
What does it mean to be Rashidi Yekini’s daughter?
I don’t like the attention it brings. Sometimes, I’m given so much attention to the extent that I become withdrawn. So, I try as much as possible to stay low. But the people that recognise me as Yekini’s daughter respect me for who I’m. When people get to know that I’m his child, their attitude towards me change. Happily, the reactions I’ve been getting from people have been good because of the kind of person he was. Sometimes, people don’t even believe I’m his daughter. People don’t recognise me as his daughter all the time; except those who see me and my sister on TV. My dad was a great man and we are benefiting from the good life he lived.
Were you very close to him while he was alive?
I spent all my holidays with him in Ibadan until he died.
What sort of father was he?
He was a very caring and loving father; no one could have asked for a better father. Even though he lived alone, he performed the functions of a wife and mother. There was nothing I asked from him that he didn’t give me; he provided everything for me.
Is it true he used to bath you when he was alive?
Yes he did but at a point he kind of withdrew because he realised I was growing up.
What legacy did you learn from him?
I learnt to be religious and philanthropic; he always gave. He was a devout Muslim who said his five prayers everyday even when he was in difficult situations. He was open-handed and kind-hearted.
There were stories that your father was not mentally stable before he died. Were they true?
I can’t really say the stories were true or not. If my dad says ‘its, fine’, I know its fine. But the media don’t investigate properly before coming out with their stories. He was just being normal. For example, some complained about him giving money to people but he was being normal. He was never insane. He helped the physically challenged and poor people.
Has it been easy taking care of yourself after you lost your father?
I have my mother, step-father and Mr. Jibril Olanrewaju with me. Whenever I need anything, they provide for me. Ever since, it’s been fine with me. I don’t lack anything. I can’t remember going on air to tell anyone that I’m suffering. Of course anyone who sees me will know that I’m not suffering. My appearance speaks for me. I get anything I want without help from outsiders.
When you start having babies, will you allow them to play football after what happened to your father?
I don’t have any problem with my children playing football. Personally I don’t like football but I had to like the game because of my father. I will not drop my father’s name when I get married as well because he has only two kids and we are girls.
How do you want the world to immortalise your father?
We are planning to use his house as a museum. We will put all his awards and pictures in the house because that is where we stayed with him. I don’t know how the government or Nigerians want to immortalise him, but as his daughters, that is what we want to do for him. If Nigeria decides to honour him, the idea is welcome and if not, no problem. I know the system in Nigeria, so I don’t expect anything from anyone again. Even after his death, the most important thing is that we have him in our hearts; we have immortalised him in our hearts. I don’t joke with him. So no one can insult my dad. The Koran says we should not be after material things but where we would be after this place.
How soon are you hoping to make the place a museum?
It will take quite a while but hopefully, we will make it a museum one day.
Are you not thinking of also going to his hometown, Iraa, to immortalise him?
We don’t really have any connection with the place apart from the fact that it’s our dad’s hometown. We only want to use a place where we can share memories of him being with us. We both stayed with him in Ibadan, so we think it’s the ideal place to use. I have been to Iraa twice: when he was buried and during his eight days Fidau prayers. The person I was close to was my dad’s sister Rufiat before she died and I was little then. So, it will be very difficult for me to go back just like that. We want a place where we will feel comfortable and fulfilled.
How would you describe your dad in two words?
He’s Kind-hearted and religious.
What do you hope to become in future?
I actually wanted to become a lawyer until I changed my course to English and Literary Studies. Right now, I’m not really thinking of anything other than just work in a good place and be comfortable after I graduate from the university.
After what happened to your father, would you give your all for Nigeria?
What I believe is that you don’t do things because of people but because of God. Whatever I decide to do is going to be because of God and my father and not any other person.
No comments:
Post a Comment