The trauma of the battle experience may not be easily forgotten. I left Enugu almost naked. Bearfoot returns to my homeland. I remember that particular Saturday night in February 1970, when seeing my mom alive was a big shock to her.
She held me swiftly and wept-"my son, you came back alive?" She appealed to our neighbors to celebrate with her. She danced around, singing and shouting, "Okeleke, my only baby is alive!" like a song. Indeed, it was worth it. I genuinely emerged from the mouth of a lion. A really horrible experience.
Billy Ben, as I am fondly known, will not settle for less than the finest. I detested mediocrity with fervor. I chose to go into farming as there is no other business or trade I can get into in my local town. Moreover, I wouldn't like to go through such horror a second time, nor had my parents experienced that comparable experience.
Currently, I am a manual farmer in my own class. Though old and no longer involved in farming, When I started in agricultural farming, people actually considered farming as a trade. But so far, I have done things differently. I offered a unique concept for communal farming. I developed my yam plantation in a straight line instead of the traditional manner. People copied it nevertheless.
Life Inside The Well…
Before I got married in 1970, I had to construct a 42-foot deep well to preserve rainwater for drinking.
By this time, I had lost my beloved mom, buried her and gone on with life. Life may be amusing sometimes. On a specific day of the year, I was feeling downcast, disheartened, and angry with life.
I was to get some water from the well when I mistakenly mishandled the drawing rope/bucket and the next thing I knew was that I found myself inside the deep well, filled to the brim.
Like a dream, I saw myself going farther and further down. The following minute, I found myself strolling alone on a vast, wide, lonely road. Suddenly, I heard my mom say to me, "Okeleke, my son, where are you going to?". You are not supposed to be here now, so go back
This was when I heard others' voices weeping and trying to rescue and revive me. I was already out of the well. When I was revived, I retold my encounter in the well with them, and they said it was my mum. However, it wasn't my time to die.
Family and Marriage
In 1970, on December 31st, I opted to acquire a wife. Hard effort is always a standard for me. The one who must be a partner must be a very hard-working woman. My wife has been supportive in acquiring the little we have.
Any Achievement?
Between 1973 and 1986, we had four boys and three girls. Fate struck again in 1991 when two of my four boys perished. Why does life never offer you what you seek or expect? Yes, I was visibly saddened by the unexpected death of my two sons, but I pushed on and, possibly, formed one of the most formidable, God-fearing, and responsible families in my home town, Issele-Mkitime.
This is clear as my children are proof that I completed some of my lifelong objectives, that is, to have all my children acquire at least a university degree. With this success, I became a model for many farmers in this region.
In 1977, I got my first motorcycle, which was not popular then. I had the longest yam ban in the hamlet that became the buzz of the village. I had always been interested in farming, so I selected it as my final option.
In 1985, I, with the cooperation of my wife, created my first 7-bed apartment, and again, it became the talk of the town. As a matter of fact, people never considered that a farmer could hold such an apartment, as it was not a usual occurrence then.
Despite all these triumphs, the problems of life will not leave me alone. As I soon found out that life without Christ is full of crises, in 2005, I had to acknowledge God as my Lord and saviour, and from then on, Jesus began to rule in my life. I experienced the change that this new life brings. I am sorry if you have a different belief in God.
Just as this tale is being repeated and printed, I am educating everyone who chooses to listen that Jesus provides peace. So far, I am one of the pioneers of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in my own town, Issele-Mkitime.
By God's grace, I have become famous for my simplicity, courage, discipline, fearlessness, honesty, and integrity. A person of activity and honesty. I adore reading, writing, and listening to the news.