The curtain has been lowered, ending an era of great expectation and inspiration from the Grand Master of Ceremony in the Batanga culture, in the person of patriarch Papa Samuel Molukule Effiong.

Papa was my in-law, a man whom I respected and cherished so much. The very first time I met Papa Molukule was during my marriage introduction (Knock door) in 2002. Though Pa was already a friend to my late senior brother D.O Misodi, I never had the opportunity to meet him until this faithful day. I noticed that the love Papa had for my brother was extended immediately to me. We had a mutual conversation and became bonded to each other. He treated me like one of his children. There was so much joy, love, and happiness throughout my stay with the Molukule family in Mundemba.

Papa Molukule was a man of the people. During my marriage ceremony to his beautiful daughter Iya Welle Molukule, papa performed majestically.

After completing his traditional rites at my marriage, he boastfully said, “When it comes to my children no one should mess around with them”. He then left and went into the room and brought out a historical artifact made from tiger teeth in a chain (Masonga ma Ngoh).  He openly announced to the crowd that, if I or anyone defied him, he or she would be dealt with seriously. This was just a ploy to show the tremendous love he had for his children.

I remember that when I got married to his beautiful daughter, he warned me several times not to allow his daughter to leave her job or the country permanently. He told me how she is his source living in Cameroon. He sometimes calls her his cocoa farm, his Senator, his lawyer, etc, etc.

Papa Molukule was again very protective and proud of his children especially my wife Iya Welle Misodi. He talks so much about her beauty, brilliance, and what have you. I admired this trait of Pa so very much.

As the years went by, my relationship with Pa grew very intimate, thus developing a great interest in him. Papa Molukule left a tremendous impression in my life, a man of his word, respectful, enormous in gratitude and magnitude. Indeed, I have never met a man of this stature having so much confidence in himself.

Also, I will always remember Pa for his command of the vocabulary an exemplary, engrossing, and quite impressive for a man who didn’t attend college. Some of his vocab, Bulldozer, nonsensical, recalcitrant full, archives of the word and he would not only say the words but spell them at the same time. What a great man he was.

On behave of the Misodi family, we want to thank Papa Molukule so much for accepting us in his family. When I met Papa for the first time, I was terrified, noxious, and nervous but Papa gently eased my body, mind, and soul into lots of love, joy, and happiness. Papa Molukule welcomed me with open arms I will never forget. I will cherish him all my life as I bid him farewell papa Molukes, you will remain my greatest father-in-law no one will ever, ever take your place.

I thank the Almighty God for blessing me with Papa.

Bye, Bye papa you are in my archives forever.

Rest in perfect peace -Amen.

Tata Hoshalah.