Good Evening
It has been both overwhelming and comforting to read the many condolence messages posted on the HIFA forum for my Dad- Prof Joseph Ana, and realising that we do not see him through rose-tinted spectacles; instead, what we have observed all our lives, others see too. My Father was committed to this HIFA community, and he considered it a shining beacon of unity and vehicle for collaborative action leading to positive change in this increasingly divided and isolationist world. We pray that HIFA will continue to grow in influence, vindicating his belief in its ability to be an international force for good.
As a husband we watched my father support our mother (Arit) in her academic and personal endeavours. He was a father to Ubu (late), Onebieni, and I (Mbang) and always made us laugh, working tirelessly (making many sacrifices) to provide for us and our wider family to whom he was an adopted father, father-in -law, grandpa, brother, uncle, friend. We shared him with his patients and our countrymen- whom he dedicated his life to serve. He was a fount of wisdom, a source of consistency and reassurance. Unflappable, he managed to see the good in everything and everyone. He was Onebieni and my medical mentor, his values and principles greatly shaped our philosophy of medicine- altruism, holism, patient-centredness, compassion, continual striving for excellence for the good of the individual and wider community. A life mentor, he was always cheerful, endlessly optimistic and forgiving; a true light in an often dark world and a joy to be around. Finally a spiritual mentor; he operationalised the Gospel of Yeshua through his devotion to a life of service. "I", "Me", "Mine" did not exist in his vocabulary, his generosity was limitless. We watched him live out his two catch phrases -"I do not invest in things, I invest in people" and "My religion is helping people". What a legacy! We love him dearly and are exceedingly proud to call him "Daddy". We cannot adequately articulate the depth of this loss. Yet as he would always remind us "God reigns supreme, it is well".
Daddy, May your light never diminish, may you rest well in the bosom of the LORD until we meet again in glory IYMN amen.
Thank you for all your messages of support, thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all for us.
Mbang and Onebieni Ana
Prof Joseph Ana's Daughter and Son