Following Ifunanya’s story of what her father’s siblings did to him hurts my heart so much. An American returnee named Peter Mokwuah was reportedly held captive in his own mansion by his siblings for nearly a year in Anambra state.
His daughter, Ifunanya Mokwuah, who lives in the USA, grew concerned after losing contact with him for several months. Despite repeated reassurances from her aunt and uncle that her father was fine, she felt compelled to travel to Nigeria in January 2022.
Her father (Peter) had lived and worked in New York for 25 years before retiring and returning to Nigeria, where he had already built a mansion in his village during his younger years. He also receives a $5,000 monthly pension for his upkeep. Perhaps this was what they targeted immediately he had a stroke. I won’t put it pass them being able to have caused him that injury. Despite this, his daughter continued to send him money, thinking he may have run out.
When Ifunanya arrived at the village, she encountered resistance from her uncle and others who had blocked the compound entrance and verbally attacked her. With help from local youths and villagers, she gained access to the house. Her uncle falsely claimed her father was in Abuja, but after insisting on checking upstairs, she discovered him lying weak and emaciated on a dirty mattress.
His beard and nails were overgrown, and he was clearly neglected in his poor medical state. Peter recognised his daughter and was visibly relieved. Imagine how Ifunanya felt seeing her father in that state, despite all the money he receives. Mehn!
Thankfully, she was able to remove him from the house, moved him to Lagos for further treatment and return to the USA.
In all these events, I am grateful Ifunanya’s father trained her to know the way to her father’s house in the village. Something all parents in the diaspora should think about, especially those with plans to retire in their village back home.
This is also a lesson for those who see their wife as an outsider. Look at what a man’s siblings did to him because he trusted them so much against his own wife and children. Yet it was the child who came looking and rescued him.
They were already building a new house beside the one Peter built and it is clear whose money was being used for that construction.
Thank God for his life and the gift of a daughter like Ifunanya.
When Ifunanya arrived her village in search of Peter (her father), her uncle (Peter’s brother) called her ashawo and other unprintable names as a way of diverting the attention of people who were gathering. He said she sleeps around in hotels and was not a responsible young lady.
That hurt so much! Ifunanya is married. Why would they pour such venom on a girl looking for her father?
This is Ifunanya and her husband. The only crime this young lady committed was being bold enough to challenge her father’s siblings who were bent on keeping him in a vegetative state after his stroke while they continued to draw on his pension to build another house and enjoy good lives.
This is a big lesson for men. When your wife gives birth to a daughter, do not frown. Your daughter will always be there for you, even if she is married and living in a different continent. Ifunanya left her family in the USA and travelled thousands of miles in search of her father.
Be kind to everyone, but know where to draw the line.
5 lessons to keep in mind from what happened with Ifunanya, her father and his siblings
1. Ifunanya knew where to go and how to act in her father’s village, and that saved his life. Many diaspora children have no connection to their family homes back in their parents’ countries, making them powerless when things go wrong. Knowing your roots is not a luxury, it can be a lifeline as was the case here.
2. Not everyone who shares your blood shares your heart. Peter’s siblings kept him in a poor state and exploited him, all while lying to his daughter. People often romanticise family ties, but betrayal often comes from those closest to you, especially when money or inheritance is involved.
Keep your eyes open.
3. Her father returned to Nigeria with assets and a steady pension, but no strong protection or checks in place. He trusted the wrong people with access to his life and finances.
Retirement without a clear legal, medical, and security plan especially in environments prone to corruption or envy can be fatal.
4. Her father’s tragedy partly stemmed from putting too much trust in his siblings and not empowering his own immediate family. Many men alienate their wives or keep children out of family property matters until it’s too late.
Bloodline loyalty should begin at home. Let your wife or child you trust know about your dealings.
5. Her father trusted his siblings enough to let them near his money, his home, and his weakened body. That nearly cost him his life.
Love your family but verify, monitor and protect yourself. Trust is not a strategy. It’s a risk, and it must be managed, especially when you have something to lose.
