Sunday, June 18, 2023, was Father’s Day. It is a special day set aside to celebrate fathers and show appreciation to them and father figures. Some members of the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), Lagos Archdiocese extolled their fathers with their essays entitled ‘My Father, My Hero’.
‘My father is my hero; he fought bravely during the civil war’
My father is my hero because he fought bravely during the civil war where he rescued children from harm; however, a miracle took place. He was shot during the Civil War and was assumed dead, just minutes before his burial, they found out that he was breathing and rushed him to the hospital where he regained his health. He is the best farmer in our village and many people used to ask him for help with their farm work which he willingly assisted.
• Igbodor Mary, St. Peter Catholic Church, Langbasa, Ajah Deanery.
‘My Father is my bright Shining Star and of a great exemplary character’
Any man can father a child but not everyone can be a Father. A father is a role model who makes great sacrifices and goes the extra mile to fend for his family. My father is my Hero; he has done so much for our family and he is of a great exemplary character for me his only daughter. As my hero, there are plenty of things that my father has done to gain this amazing title HERO. To begin, from my birth, my Father has always been there for me, he was there for me when I started preschool and when I started secondary school, my father always make sure I woke up early and he was readily available to walk me to my school bus pick up point. For me, my father is not just my hero, he is my bright shining star. He gave me the best gift anyone could ever ask for, my Education and he chose one of the best Catholic schools to enroll me. Even the time the landlord gave my family Quit Notice, my father still found a way to relocate us to a peaceful, serene environment. Why do I say that he is more than a Hero? My Father is a very peaceful, hardworking, and humble man, he does not like to quarrel and he is not troublesome. Though he is disciplined and strict but always finds a way to deter us from bad habits. He always says this to us; in fact, he sings it like a song to our ears. “Do not stop where I stopped or do not boast in your father’s name always remember that you can do better than me”. My Father does not just guide us; he also supports my mother and always leads us to our Heavenly Father daily in prayers. My father is not just my Hero; he is a gift from God.
• Gabriella Okoro, Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Okeafa, Isolo Deanery.
‘My Father faces all the difficulties of life without letting them come to I and my siblings’
My father guides me, protects me, and teaches me how to be successful in life that is why I love him so much. My father is my hero and the best person in my life; he is the one whom I look upon for all my dreams and desires. He faces all the difficulties of life without letting them come to us (I and my siblings), that is why I love my father so much and take him as my hero. My father is also a hero because he gives me a very decent and comfortable life. My dad is my hero, he is my Superman, he is my leader, my father is the one who motivates me and keeps me going even when I want to give up, he is there for me when I don’t want to try anymore and he always keeps me going. Of all the heroes in the world, my dad is at the top of the list. I always think to myself, what would I do if I don’t have a father like him? My daddy is my hero because he shows me that no matter the struggles he faces in life or what happens to him, he always gets out of them and he has me and my mom to help him. My daddy is a hero to me because he shows me strength, he explains the bad choices he had made in life so that I can learn and make good choices. He shows me that if I ever need help with a decision, I need to either go to him or ask God for help. I love my father so much and I pray God will continue to bless him.
• Ejeh Daniel, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ishawo, Ikorodu Deanery.
‘My Father sacrifices his happiness for ours’
For me, my father is my hero because:
• He protects me from all kinds of dangers and would not allow me to get hurt.
• He corrects me with a smile when I make mistakes and does not allow me to do them again.
• He guides me daily by advising me and putting me through the right way in life.
• He makes a daily effort to provide for me and his entire family. This happens because he is not lazy and does not stay at home and do nothing but he is always working.
• He watches out for me and that is what a hero does.
• He is also ready to sacrifice his happiness for ours.
I give thanks to God for keeping my hero alive and may God continue to keep him alive through Christ our lord. Amen.
• Gregory Tolulope Onojigheduo, Ss. Mulumba & David Catholic Church, Lawanson, Surulere Deanery
‘My Father is so handsome and caring; he helps people who beg for money on the road’
My father is my hero, my dad, my superman, my wonderful man, my defender, my courageous and bold man. I love my father. He’s so handsome and caring. Whenever I am sick, my father is always there to take me to the hospital. He provides for our family, pays our house rent, pays our school fees, protects us, and helps people who beg for money on the road. I love my daddy because he is so kind and funny too. It is great to know that I have a father who is always there to inspire me to be a better person in the future. Having a father is great, but having a hero father is the greatest.
• Ifunanyachukwu Agbalizu, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Aboru, Ipaja Deanery.
My father is my best friend, mentor and hero; he possesses a logical mindset
My father is not just my best friend; he is my mentor and my hero. One of the reasons my father is my hero is his total involvement in all aspects of my life. He always ensures that I make the right choices and encourages my growth. He is always there to offer his guidance and wisdom through his beautiful words. The way he goes above and beyond to help me achieve my goals for my future career is so wonderful. My father possesses a logical mindset. He uses his knowledge to raise me in a manner that prepares me for the future ahead. He strives to remove any hindrance to my development. My father is an understanding individual who helps me in making important decisions. Whenever I seek guidance and support, I know I can rely on him. He is selfless, hardworking, and loving. My father is the pillar of strength in our family. His ability to discharge all his duties is quite remarkable. Father’s Day celebration helps to strengthen the bond with our fathers. I always make sure I give gifts because he deserves them. We must recognise the value of our fathers’ presence and the impact they have on our lives. We should always give deep respect to our fathers because of their great sacrifices towards us by carrying out our duties and loving them, we will come to appreciate the true heroism they embody in their role as fathers.
• Anyasoro Nathan Uzoma, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ojota, Maryland Deanery.
