Nigerian Literary Critic and Social Commentator, Ikhide
Ikheloa on Monday, marked one year since his daughter miraculously
survived a ghastly accident.
Kate Omoaluse Ikheloa, a University of Baltimore School
of Law student was injured when a young soldier and her friends rammed
into her and reduced her car into a wreck.
“A lot can change in a year. Count your blessings! A
year ago a paramedic checked my vitals and asked me how I was doing and I
replied “ Well, I’m still alive.” Still stands. #againstallodds” Kate
wrote in a post marking one year since her survival.
Read Pa Ikhide’s post below:
For February 18, 2018
The garage door grumbles open. They come in, in lock
step, the dog trotting behind our daughter Ominira. With swag. My Lover
and I stare at them and do not bother to ask the question: Why are you
here? Because we know the answer: We live here.
Ominira doesn’t live here. Not anymore. She has her
apartment in downtown Baltimore. But we love to see her. Because she’s
still here. She’s still here. February 18, 2018, a year ago, my enemies
were waiting for her at that junction that harvests youngsters for
heaven’s gate. A young soldier and her friends were not paying attention
and they plowed into her – and reduced her car and her life to a pile
of rubble. But Ogun, father of all male children, Ogun of the bloody
cutlass was not hungry for blood.
Ominira is still here but every day is a struggle. It’s
not that bad. Ominira is a warrior, does not like to be pitied. All
through her ordeal she stayed in law school even though we begged her to
drop out, she is not the same soul that walked out of the house on
February 18, 2018. She has clawed her way back. With swag. Everything
can be replaced, except life. She has a new car now. Teddy her dog is an
emotional support animal. He is always by her side. Always. You open
her bedroom door and Teddy is at the foot of her bed daring you to try
any nonsense. This life is a mystery.
Well, young ones, I came first, I will go first and y’all will celebrate me in song.
To my dying day, I will always remember my daughter’s words:
“I was not scared. I understood then I was going to die.”
Ominira is still here. Life is good. Life is short. Make the best of it.
Grateful for the gift of you, Omoaluse Kate Ikheloa!
See photos from the accident scene and Kate during and after recovery, below…
