Nigerian actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim-Effiong has shared an emotional story about his family’s past, revealing how his father, a former army officer, was wrongfully imprisoned and later granted a pardon decades later. Speaking during an interview on Jay On Air, Daniel recounted how his father was jailed under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida in 1985, a period marked by intense political repression.
Daniel described the years that followed as deeply challenging for his family, explaining that his father lived under the weight of political persecution but never allowed bitterness to take root. “It took a Muslim president, a retired general, to grant my father his official pardon,” he said tearfully, referring to former President Muhammadu Buhari, under whose administration his father’s rank was restored.
He described the eventual pardon as a miracle, noting that divine intervention played a role in bringing long-overdue justice. “It could only have been God,” he added, emphasizing that forgiveness and grace were central lessons his family learned from the ordeal.
The actor reflected on how the experience shaped his personal values, teaching him to recognize that justice and restoration can come from unexpected sources. He highlighted the importance of faith, patience, and forgiveness, noting that his father’s calm resilience inspired him to approach life with humility and gratitude.
Daniel’s revelation offered a rare glimpse into how personal pain can evolve into a testimony of hope and divine timing, illustrating that even in difficult circumstances, destiny has a way of fulfilling itself through grace and perseverance. Read Original