Dads’ Profile: Emeka Darlington Ezechukwu Spills on Becoming a Dad & More

Emeka Darlington Ezechukwu is a business trainer married to Marianna, and together, they have a beautiful daughter, Amanda Khloe. He opens up on the thrills of becoming a dad and more.

First reaction when you saw your daughter

“My first reaction was, ‘Waoh…I’m now a Dad!’”

How does it feel being a dad?

“It feels amazing. Whenever I’m with her, I see nothing but joy and love. Whenever she smiles, it makes me feel that I’m the best dad ever and she’s happy that I’m her dad.”

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What has being a dad changed about you?

“Now I feel that I have a responsibility to be with her and take care of her. Whenever I am away from home, all I want is to go back home and just be with her. I love exploring new things (even the obviously risky ones) but now I’m more careful about the risks I take.”

Challenges

“There are no big challenges with her. She is such a sweet girl. She rarely cries but when she does, it means that something is disturbing her. However, we’ll see how it will be in the future. The only challenge is how to change her focus when she is fighting for something that is not meant for her to something else. For example, when she is fighting to play with the socket, I have to shift her attention from the socket to her play kits.”

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Your golden moments as a dad

“For me, every moment with her is a golden moment. Seeing her develop new skills, playing happily and laughing are all golden moments for me.”

Are there things you wish you could take back?

“Nothing at all. We grew up with parents who care and love us. They gave us those things that we needed and those that were not necessary, they denied us. They raised us in a cultural and moral way. And we are trying to do same for our child. My daughter is everything a dad could ask for.”

Areas you wish you could do more

“Time will tell as she’s contended with all I’ve been doing so far. As she grows older, I will know those areas that need to be attended to.”

Some personality traits you’d like her to pick from you and her mum

“Often times, some of the things we really wish for in our children end up only in our imagination. As they grow, they keep changing. That said, I’d like obedience, humility, empathy and most of all respect. She has picked her mum’s beauty, I’d like her to add my can-do attitude and our intelligence.”

What’s your relationship with her like?

“The bond is really wonderful. The only word she can say right now is ‘dada’ (laughs) and her mum is always asking her, ‘Why can’t you say mama.’ I think girls are always about their dads.”

How do you all have fun as a family?

“Generally, we have fun at home when we are together. She loves dancing, so we always carry her and dance around the house. We also walk to the park with her when the weather is good.”

Random tips for other dads

“Being a dad is not a job because it’s just as much fun as you decide to make it. Always give it your best shot. Do all you can to show that you care.”