Twelve years ago, around this exact time, my phone rang.
Ordinarily, there was nothing unusual about receiving a call at such an early hour because there was only one person who would consistently call me at that time of the day—my beloved father. Most times, it was simply to check on me, offer words of encouragement, discuss an upcoming musical engagement, seek my opinion, or assign me one of my usual responsibilities: drafting invitation letters, coordinating accommodation for guests, arranging logistics, and ensuring that every detail of his programs was properly handled.
But on this particular day, everything changed.
When I answered the call, there was an unusual silence on the other end. For a few seconds, no words came forth. Then I heard the familiar voice that had guided me throughout my life, calling me by the name only you could call with such affection:
“Aaaah Die… Tehbra oooh… Aaah emi? Ayoro ma oooh?”
Those words still echo in my heart today.
As always, your concern was not about yourself. It was about me. You worried endlessly about my future. You worried that I had not yet attained the level of financial stability you desired for me, especially as a young man who had only recently started a family. Your greatest wish was to see me comfortable, successful, and fulfilled. Looking back now, I realize that every concern, every piece of advice, every correction, and every sacrifice was simply an expression of a father’s immeasurable love.
Today, twelve years later, the pain of your departure remains, but so does the strength of your legacy.
So much has happened since you left this world. Life has taken me through valleys and mountaintops, through moments of joy and seasons of struggle. There were times I desperately wished I could pick up the phone and hear your voice once again. There were moments when I longed for your counsel, your reassurance, and your wisdom. Yet through it all, your teachings remained my compass.
Your beloved son has grown into a man, a husband, and a father. God has blessed me with three beautiful children—children who know your name, hear your songs, and are growing up learning about the extraordinary grandfather they never had the privilege of meeting. In them, I see a continuation of the values and principles you laboured so hard to instill in me.
One promise I have made to myself—and to you—is that your legacy will never be forgotten.
You dedicated your life to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Izon people. Through your timeless musical masterpieces, you became more than an entertainer. You became a cultural ambassador, a historian, a teacher, a voice for the voiceless, and a guardian of our traditions.
From the unforgettable Highlife Owigiri Collections to the Osundu Collections, Andaogele, and your Reggae masterpieces, your music transcended generations. Your songs carried wisdom. They challenged society, inspired hope, promoted unity, preserved culture, and taught valuable lessons about life, leadership, family, and community.
Your music was not merely heard—it was felt.
Your words were not merely lyrics—they were philosophy.
Your performances were not merely entertainment—they were cultural institutions.
Twelve years after your transition, the shoes you left behind remain too large for anyone to completely fill. Your greatness was not measured by titles, wealth, or popularity alone, but by the countless lives you touched, the culture you preserved, and the values you championed.
Today, as we commemorate the 12th Anniversary of your glorious transition, we do not gather merely to mourn your absence. We gather to celebrate a remarkable life, a priceless legacy, and an enduring impact that continues to inspire generations across Izonland and beyond.
Though death separated us physically, it could never erase the memories you created, the lessons you taught, the music you gifted the world, and the love you poured into your family and community.
You remain present in every melody you sang, every life you touched, every cultural value you preserved, and every heart that still remembers you.
Thank you for being an exceptional father.
Thank you for being a cultural icon.
Thank you for being King Robert Ebizimor.
As long as your songs are played, your stories told, and your legacy celebrated, you will never truly be gone.
Rest on, our father, our mentor, our philosopher, our musical legend.
Rest on, King Robert Ebizimor, JP,
The Numupere I of Izonland.
Your voice may be silent, but your legacy speaks louder than ever.
Forever remembered. Forever celebrated. Forever loved.
High Chief Ebizimor Preye Raphael
IZON DUMA OLOTU Of Tarakiri
