REMEMBERING OUR DEAR UNCLE MICHAEL AMANYEIWE We were not related by blood, but you wouldn’t know it. Uncle Amans, the man with a big heart and a bubbling personality, was as much a family relative as any biological uncle, and even more. Our memories of him are of his ever-smiling face, accommodating nature, generosity, and humorous stories, of which he had an unending supply. Yet, as a military man, he was disciplined and professional in his conduct. Indeed, films like ‘An Officer And A Gentleman’ and ‘A Few Good Men’ must have been influenced by people like him. At the same time, he was deeply committed to his Catholic faith, and morning and evening family prayers and daily Mass were as natural as breathing and eating. He had up in his living room at the Nigeria Air Force base in Ikeja, one of the biggest rosaries some of us had ever seen. Our families were closely knit and for those of us who moved to Lagos from our home at the University of Ibadan for university, national youth service and work, Uncle Amans NAF base Ikeja residence was our first landing point while we found our feet. We discovered that his house was also a home away from home to many others like us. Uncle was very connected to his community and affairs back home and accompanying him on the occasional travel to Onicha Olona was an added bonus for some of us. The only downside of those trips was that he expected you not to doze off but remain awake and alert throughout the entire journey. We are thankful to God Almighty for the fulfilling and impactful life Uncle led. He was truly a kind and beautiful soul who spread love to all who encountered him, and he will live on in our hearts and memories. We are also assured he died a happy and fulfilled man and is smiling down on us all. Good night Uncle. May your gentle, precious and kind soul rest in perfect peace. Amen. From the Tobis