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VENO tv | FEATURE MY TRIBUTE TO MY DEPARTED HUSBAND: A GALLANT SOLDIER IS GONE A Life of Service, Love, Sacrifice and Enduring Legacy By Morohunmubo Anike Okosun (Mubo Okosun)
Date: 23-10-26

An emotional tribute from a loving wife who shared 41 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Francis Eromonsele Okosun—a distinguished military officer, devoted family man, security analyst and entrepreneur.

A LOVE STORY THAT BEGAN 42 YEARS AGO

I met Francis 42 years ago at my auntie's house in Ilupeju, Lagos.
My beloved auntie, Big Mummy Princess Adebimtan Oyebadejo, of blessed memory, had travelled for a summer holiday with her entire family in August 1984.
I was home that Saturday, pottering around the kitchen and preparing food for my younger brother, Gbemibo, who had been conscripted from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, to keep me company and warm the family cars throughout the summer holiday.
Then came an unexpected visitor.
Abimbola Coker, of blessed memory, was my colleague at Punch Newspapers, Onipetesi, Ikeja, Lagos. She was a sub-editor, while I worked as a features writer.
She was not in the habit of visiting me at home, so her sudden appearance at our gate that Saturday surprised me.
Those were the days before mobile phones, WhatsApp and social media. People visited friends without prior notice.
After exchanging pleasantries, Abimbola explained that she would be resuming work the following week and wanted to catch up on happenings in the office.
We chatted excitedly until she suddenly remembered that her husband's friend was waiting in the car and had warned her not to spend too much time!
At her request, I followed her outside, still holding my cooking pot, to apologise to the gentleman, whom I had imagined would be middle-aged, like her husband.
To my pleasant surprise, I saw a young man calmly smoking inside a blue Peugeot car.
That young man was Francis Eromonsele Okosun.
I later discovered that he was an army officer.
That unexpected encounter marked the beginning of a relationship that blossomed into 41 years of marriage, blessed by God with three wonderful children.

TWO CULTURES, ONE BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY

I often teased Francis that fate must have brought us together because we came from different cultural backgrounds and had different perspectives on life.
Yet, after 41 years of marriage, we became so closely bonded that we could finish each other's sentences.
We shared private jokes, endless conversations and lively discussions on almost every subject under the sun.
I used to tease him about not having the elaborate panegyric chants associated with my Yoruba ancestry.
My mother, Princess Jolaade Ogunfidodo, née Aderemi, of blessed memory, ensured that all her grandchildren knew their Yoruba oríkì and appreciated their traditional costumes.
Francis eventually responded by chanting his Esan panegyrics for his grandchildren when they arrived.
It was a beautiful reminder that, despite our cultural differences, humanity shares many of the same values, traditions and affections.

A MAN WHO CARRIED THE BURDENS OF OTHERS

Francis lost his father at the tender age of 17 while studying in Lower Six at Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos.
Despite this devastating loss, he rose to the responsibility of supporting his younger siblings and caring for the extended family.
By God's grace, he helped train his younger ones and remained deeply committed to his family throughout his life.
His devotion extended to his ancestral home in Ekpoma, Edo State.
He eagerly anticipated his yearly visits to Ekpoma, where he would put on shorts and sneakers, mingle freely with relatives and friends, and exchange jokes with everyone.
Francis loved cooking.
He could slaughter goats and prepare delicious, spicy pepper soup at the slightest opportunity.
He was a man who understood that true greatness lies not merely in personal achievement but also in service to others.

A DISTINGUISHED SOLDIER AND GENTLEMAN OFFICER

Francis was a man of many remarkable qualities.
He was an accomplished military officer with an outstanding academic and professional record.
He reportedly obtained the best nationwide result in the Nigerian Defence Academy entrance examination for his course.
At graduation, he emerged as the best all-round cadet of NDA Short Service Course 22.
He also earned a prestigious Tie of Merit at the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna—an accomplishment comparable to obtaining a first-class degree at a conventional university.
His military career reflected intellectual excellence, professionalism, discipline and dedication to national service.

A CEREBRAL POLYGLOT

Francis possessed an extraordinary gift for languages.
He spoke fluent English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Edo and Esan, his mother tongue.
Interestingly, his Yoruba was even better than mine!
He enjoyed concealing his fluency whenever he visited public places.
On several occasions, unsuspecting individuals spoke about him in Yoruba, believing he did not understand a word.
Little did they know that Francis understood everything!
Such encounters often became subjects of laughter and amusement between us.

FROM MILITARY SERVICE TO FRANCO'S KITCHEN

Beyond the military, Francis was an exceptional chef and food entrepreneur.
He could prepare intricate traditional soups from the South-South, South-East and South-West regions of Nigeria.
Our home regularly enjoyed his culinary creations.
Following his retirement, I encouraged him to establish an online food business.
What started playfully in our bedroom as Franco's Kitchen eventually became a profitable enterprise.
He was astonished at its success.
His delicious soups were dispatched to customers in Abuja, Asaba, Ibadan and different parts of Lagos.
Francis demonstrated that retirement from military service was not retirement from creativity, productivity or enterprise.

A RESPECTED SECURITY ANALYST

Francis also established himself as a respected voice on national security.
He frequently appeared as a security resource person on Channels Television, Inspiration FM and other broadcast platforms.
He was equally invited to speak at military conferences and professional gatherings.
His knowledge, experience and analytical ability made him a valued contributor to discussions on security and national development.
Before his illness and eventual passing, he had begun writing a book about his remarkable life.
Sadly, that dream remained unfinished.
Nevertheless, the chapters of his life are permanently written in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
HIS FOOTPRINTS WILL NEVER FADE
Throughout our marriage, Francis and I enriched each other's lives with our different gifts.
I became more security-conscious through his influence, while he developed greater appreciation and skill in writing through mine.
We grew together, learned together and shared the joys and challenges of life.
Today, I find it extremely difficult to speak of Francis in the past tense.
How can someone who occupied such a significant place in my life suddenly become a memory?

How can 41 years of companionship, friendship, laughter, sacrifice and love be reduced to yesterday?
Although Francis has physically departed this world, his presence remains deeply woven into the fabric of our family.
His footprints are everywhere.
His values live on.
His sacrifices will never be forgotten.
His children and grandchildren carry a precious part of his legacy.
He has completed his earthly assignment, passed on the torch and returned home to rest with his Maker.

ADIEU, MY GALLANT SOLDIER
Francis, you were more than a husband.
You were my companion, confidant, friend and partner in life's journey.
You were a gallant soldier who served his country with distinction and his family with uncommon dedication.
Your departure has created a vacuum that words cannot adequately describe.
But I remain grateful to God for the beautiful years we shared and the wonderful memories we created.
Though death has separated us physically, the love we shared remains an enduring treasure.
Adieu, gallant soldier!
Adieu, Ovie Okonyon!
Adieu, Ovie Odenigbo!
Adieu, Ovie Ugbolene!
Rest peacefully in the presence of your Maker.
Your legacy of love, courage, excellence and service will continue to shine.
Forever yours,
MOROHUNMUBO ANIKE OKOSUN
Your First Lady
Your Ovhioha
Your Queen

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