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A Father’s Day Reflection at FunTimes Magazine
In the quiet echoes of shared wisdom and the sturdy embrace of unwavering support, lies the heart of Father’s Day. It is a moment to honor the guiding stars in our lives, the fathers who have not only gifted us with existence but also with the invaluable treasures of experience and insight. These are the lessons whispered in late-night talks, demonstrated through actions both grand and subtle, and etched into our memories as enduring truths.
At FunTimes, we believe these lessons are the legacy we carry, the compass we use to navigate life’s journey. This Father’s Day, we celebrate the profound impact of fatherhood by sharing the wisdom passed down, the enduring lessons that continue to shape who we are and who we strive to become.
Lessons from Our Fathers
“If I have to boil down the things I’ve learned from my father, it’s that you should always be a giver. You should keep giving, because this world is devoid of love and time. I’ve seen my old man give his time to his work, his family, and even to strangers who rode the bus with him. That man never went to anyone’s place empty-handed and always had wisdom to share. He has his faults, but he never compromised on giving to everyone. That’s something I’ve learned from my father, and I try to emulate it every day”
-Anand Subramanian, Content Coordinator
“One of the greatest lessons my father taught me was the power of discipline. He lived it, modeled it, and instilled it in me from a young age. Through his words and actions, he emphasized the importance of integrity and the fear of God, values that have shaped my life and guided my choices. Above all, he taught me the beauty of family love. From him, I learned that being family-oriented isn’t just a trait, It’s a virtue that strengthens bonds and nurtures generations. His lessons remain my compass, and on this Father’s Day, I honor the man who taught me how to live with purpose.”
-Victoria Ezechukwu-Nwagwu, EA – Publisher
“One of the greatest lessons my father gave me was the gift of music and the power of my voice. He introduced me to the beauty of using music to inspire, heal, and uplift. As a child, I sat in rehearsals watching him and his friends practice for hours. I saw him praise God by singing solos at church, soaking in every note and moment. He didn’t just teach me to sing—he taught me to connect, feel, and lead with heart.
I’m a professional singer, worship leader, and performer today because of the seeds he planted. The way I show up on stage, minister through music, and use my voice to move others is a direct reflection of the legacy he passed down to me.“
-Lavonne Nichols, Media contributor and MultiMedia host
“One of the greatest gifts my father gave me was the wisdom of generosity, especially towards God’s work. He modelled a life of unity and shared strength, teaching us to stay together as a family through victories and losses alike. But perhaps his most enduring lesson was on the value of learning and living fully. He often said “As long as you’re breathing, there’s room to learn. Never stop learning, read everything you can, explore new paths, learn from your experiences, live life to the fullest, and only fear God” That reminder to remain curious, embrace every experience, and make the most out of life has shaped how I love, grow, and show up every day.”
– Oluwadamilola Faith Akindolire, Associate Editor.
“I’ve learned from my father what it really means to show up. I watched my father carry so much on his shoulders… with quiet strength, hard work, and a deep sense of responsibility. He never forgot where he came from or turned away from his own. He supported our dreams, never shied away from putting in the work, and made sure we never doubted his love for us or for my mum. Always being present, always giving. That’s how I learned what it means to truly show up for myself, my dreams and others.“
-Peculiar Okoro, Social Media Manager
“Out of the many things I learnt from my father, the one that stood out to me was humility. My father taught me what humility in its true sense meant, he never looked down on anyone and was willing to give a listening ear to anyone who needed it. Another lesson I picked up from him was Responsibility, he has a penchant for the saying “with great responsibility comes power”. These timeless lessons have shaped my perspective on life and how I conducted myself.“
-Adisa Ibrahim, Graphic Designer.
“One lesson I learned from my father is being resilient – never to stop, never to give up, but to keep persisting until I achieve my goals.“
-Comfort Ekwo, Disability Correspondent and Host
“My father was a quiet man, so when he spoke, we listened. He taught me the value of how to listen to people, how to listen to your feelings, how to listen to your instincts. When I became a reporter, that lesson was invaluable. He had a quiet perspective that was never preachy. As children of parents, we can forget that they lived a personal life BC (Before Children) – before marriage, before family, when they were more selfishly human. My father, “ Buddy,” was one of a kind. He had a storied life of struggles and success, and never spoke much about it until his final days when his vault of solitude overflowed through the arc of many stories that flowed like classic songs from a vintage jukebox, one after another. I listened.“
-Randy Giancaterino, Son
“As His memories live on, my father was known as a peaceful man. He ensured love, unity and peace reigned in our home and beyond. He was also known for his sacrifices, ready to discomfort himself for the comfort of another person. He gave many his shoulders to lean on and in so doing lifted others higher than himself. These virtues he transferred and left an imprint in my life, and in the lives of everyone he had contact with.“
-Nkeiruka Duru, Content Researcher
“Our father taught us generosity and gratitude by example, encouraging us to appreciate our blessings and share them. He instilled a sense of extended family in us. He engaged neighborhood friends in family outings, such as amusement rides and swimming trips, and also fixed our bikes and toys. He was responsible for reprimanding us when necessary, often using the phrase “now look” to prompt immediate correction of behavior. I am grateful for his love of jazz music which is a major part of my musical preferences. These memories highlight his role in our upbringing. Happy heavenly Father’s Day. “
-Sandy Lawrence, Associate Publisher
“One of the most profound lessons my father instilled in me was the importance of living each day to the fullest as though there is no tomorrow. He emphasized the value of hard work, often reminding me that there is no food for a lazy man. He also taught me that challenges are inevitable in life but they must be confronted with courage and resilience and that giving up was never an option. “
-Bridget Nzeribe, Content Creator
“He’s always been my biggest encouragement. I’ll never forget the light in my dad’s eyes when he smiled—genuine, warm, almost childlike. As a shy child, I was often unsure of myself, but he was the opposite—always confident, always certain. He believed I was a star, a Diamond, and truly unique—which is exactly why he named me that. He saw something bigger in me before I could see it myself, and he believed in my dreams long before I found the courage to speak them out loud.
He always had a way of recognizing beauty in my life even before I could—like calling my husband “your husband” after meeting him just once. His creativity, confidence, and belief in possibility were contagious, and he never let me settle for small thinking. One thing I’ll carry with me forever is the way he made me feel: brave enough to go after big things, and open enough to receive all the blessings life has to offer.“
-Diamond Unique Jones
“My dad is an artist. For as long as I can remember, I’ve watched him work in his studio, spending hours perfecting even the smallest parts of a song. Through him, I’ve learned the value of artistic expression and how healing and cathartic it can be. But being an artist often means wearing many hats to turn creative ambitions into reality. My dad’s entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to shape his career as a musician and producer. I’ve inherited his artistic sensibilities, finding my creative voice as a photographer and drummer. I would not be the artist and hard worker I am today without the inspiration and example my father has provided.“
-Aidan Gallo, Photojournalist
“The first man who ever made me laugh from the depth of my belly was my dad. The type of laughter that feels like sunshine in your chest. My dad taught me what it means to create, to bring something beautiful to life with your hands. He’s the reason I fell in love with art in the first place.
My dad taught me resilience, how to hold quiet strengths, how to take up spaces in this world without needing to shout. When I failed a class back at junior school, he reminded that failure wasn’t the end, it was just a step along and that lesson alone has carried me through some of life’s harder days.
There’s so much lessons I have learned from my dad and I am grateful for every single one of them. And I hope we never stop having those moments where we laugh until our tummy aches.“
-Jonah Chidera Precious.
“My Dad was a sharp dresser. Slow to speak, and more action oriented.
I guess he passed such traits and qualities to me.
And I must say, it has been very helpful in navigating this journey called LIFE.“
-Rex Charles Chidiebere
“Some of the many things my father has taught me by example was to be curious, constantly learning, and to appreciate other cultures as well as my own. This led me to be who I am today and enjoy life and everything it brings.“
-Alissa Yamazaki