Father's Voice of Inspiration from his son.
“ANDIKAN” in “IBIBIO”, a native Nigerian language literally means “The one who overcomes”. He could equally have been named “Victor Asuquo Moses Akpan”. Nothing in this world gives me more joy besides being a Christian, than being “My Children’s Dad”. It is as if I was destined to be “Andikan’s Father”. If ever God created “Love” and instilled it in human heart, such that one human being can love another, I deeply love my son, indeed my children without measure. For Andikan, I love him in a very special way. I wish I had the opportunity to exchange my life for Andikan’s. I know he would have been a great father to his siblings. Andikan had Sickle Cell, but Sickle cell did not take his life.
ANDIKAN SICKLE CELL VICTORY FOUNDATION (ASCVF) is a testimony and affirmation of the “Power of Conviction” flowing out of the “River of Compassion and Care”, the hearts of ASCVF Board of Trustees. It is as if members of the Board of ASCFV were preselected by my son when he was alive. The Board members in their respective professions individually and collectively nurtured and molded my son to aspire to be an influential voice for good, a source of healing for the afflicted and more. Now the Board is embarking on the very “Journey” they trained and encouraged my son to travel along. How remarkable!! How about that for a change of roles?
As I reflect on my son’s life, the lives he touched in his young age and those that touched his I find that in turn they have touched mine and my families lives in a very special way. My family is forever blessed, indebted and inspired by one and all. “Only in America, can its children dream and have the opportunity to make that dream come true, Only in America”. Today, the journey is less lonely and the burden a bit lighter.
As my Father delivered unto me, as did his Father unto him, repeated many generations before me, so I delivered unto Andikan and his siblings that “Life is a Gift from God”. In response to this “Special Blessings” we (every generation of EKANEMESANG Family) must live a life of Gratitude”. Andikan embraced these virtues and set out to live his life with purpose.
With joy mixed with inexpressible pain and sorrow, I present the ASCVF to the world, as a dream come true, a beacon of hope. Even in death Andikan’s life continues to reflect “A Life of Gratitude”. Until Faith turns into sight, the “persistent presence of Andikan’s absence” remains a powerful voice of inspiration, often terribly difficult for me to endure.
Asuquo Moses Akpan
ANDIKAN SICKLE CELL VICTORY FOUNDATION (ASCVF) is a testimony and affirmation of the “Power of Conviction” flowing out of the “River of Compassion and Care”, the hearts of ASCVF Board of Trustees. It is as if members of the Board of ASCFV were preselected by my son when he was alive. The Board members in their respective professions individually and collectively nurtured and molded my son to aspire to be an influential voice for good, a source of healing for the afflicted and more. Now the Board is embarking on the very “Journey” they trained and encouraged my son to travel along. How remarkable!! How about that for a change of roles?
As I reflect on my son’s life, the lives he touched in his young age and those that touched his I find that in turn they have touched mine and my families lives in a very special way. My family is forever blessed, indebted and inspired by one and all. “Only in America, can its children dream and have the opportunity to make that dream come true, Only in America”. Today, the journey is less lonely and the burden a bit lighter.
As my Father delivered unto me, as did his Father unto him, repeated many generations before me, so I delivered unto Andikan and his siblings that “Life is a Gift from God”. In response to this “Special Blessings” we (every generation of EKANEMESANG Family) must live a life of Gratitude”. Andikan embraced these virtues and set out to live his life with purpose.
With joy mixed with inexpressible pain and sorrow, I present the ASCVF to the world, as a dream come true, a beacon of hope. Even in death Andikan’s life continues to reflect “A Life of Gratitude”. Until Faith turns into sight, the “persistent presence of Andikan’s absence” remains a powerful voice of inspiration, often terribly difficult for me to endure.
Asuquo Moses Akpan
