My ultimate mission as a young man who grew up in Nigeria was to join the Military after my graduation in 1966.

I believe in the precept that “You are as old as you feel “ What difference does it make if you are young but clueless and daft like the man we currently have as President? I served Nigeria before in my prime and can still go there to be of service to a President I believe he is going to win in less than 4 weeks from today. A 72 year old Nigerian with a plan for the country is never too old to serve if he has something credible to offer. Those who talk like that are silly to say the least. General Buhari and I are age group even though the General is a few years older than me. I get upset when I hear some Nigerians say General Buhari at 72 is too old to be President of Nigeria. I could count tens of my colleagues and classmates who have since made their transition, and I am still here making some positive contributions to my home away from home. I am one American of Nigerian origin who values the impact of God’s own country on my life because I just knew I could be dead by now if I had never left the shores of Nigeria. What I could not do for my father is being done by two of my sons as a proud citizen of the United States by naturalization.

I wish the man is alive today to see 2 of his grandchildren proudly wearing the uniforms of the greatest Navy the world has known. My father who was a foot soldier in the war had risen to the rank of only a Sergeant. Joining the Military and wearing the uniform was something I had hoped to do as the first recipient of the British/Canadian Legion Scholarships first awarded to children of Nigerian veterans of the Second World War in 1963 I got the award in recognition of my father’s participation in that war. Those special occasions are some of my proudest moments as a father. I would be the first to admit that, but I am as proud as hell that they were all able to do what I had wanted to be but could never be because of my own limitations and circumstance. The two of them and their sister who studied Pharmacy at the same University were all far smarter than me.

I felt on top of the world again when my second son and my last daughter both graduated as medical doctors from my alma mater – the great Obafemi Awolowo University of Nigeria. My joy grew by leaps and bounds when a few years later my youngest son was enrolled again at the famous Boot Camp in Chicago in preparation for his career in the US Navy one more time. I still cannot get over the joy I felt in my heart the first time my first son got enrolled as an officer in a unit of the United States Navy otherwise known as the Seal.

Kunle orlando tribute mp3 download