Augustine Ikemelu was my god father.I didn't have a hand in that, didn't choose him and growing up, didn't like him much. Growing up, I knew that my sibling's god parents were richer, more flamboyant, more verbose, overtly showy. But not Augustine Ikemelu, when he spoke, he seemed to choose his words, to prune them of its sharp edges as a priest would. i didn't like this serenity of his, this almost saintly disposition which apart from his tall physical frame, made him stand above others spiritually and morally. Then I met him in the pages of a book lying in my Father's study. It was a history of the Eziowelle People written by him. I remember that his language was fluid, teasing, simple even to a boy as young as I was. I couldn't understand all the words but the mystery of Eziowelle people as it unfolded on the pages were so vivid. I remember asking my Father whether the author and my god father were the same person and he gave me a look which spoke volumes. It was a look that said, "now you know why such a great man should be your god father". I read this book several times, fought with my brothers sometimes to maintain my strange hegemony of it. After all, it was the magical book of my god father. When I think back on the influences that have formed my worldview about my roots apart from my father's passion, it is obvious that the words of Augustine Ikemelu and his poetry secretly guided me. I was his fan, from afar, I worshiped him. A hero that stood gracefully among his peers. A man whose integrity was never in doubt. I hope that one day Eziowelle will give him the honour he deserves, the only man who told our story. Agbogidi! Nnamdi Okose