By Fidelis Egugbo
Come Sunday, July 16, 2023, all roads will surely lead to Ibabu, Onicha-Ukwuani in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State as thousands of democrats and believers in our Lord, Jesus Christ converge at the hometown of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme to celebrate the native son.
Up from being a lecturer; bursar of several institutions; accountant and chairman of several organizations; politician; and to the enviable position of number two person in Delta State, there's no iota doubt that Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme has lot of reasons to roll out drums.
Kinsmen, friends, mates, colleagues, political associates and well-wishers will join Sir Onyeme, as he gives thanks to God for his emergence and successful assumption of office as the Deputy Governor of Delta State.
As I was reminiscing on the choice of the venue for the thanksgiving, St. John's Anglican Church, I recalled a Biblical passage in 2 Samuel 7:13 that says: "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever."
Deeply religious, Sir Onyeme, as an individual had always attributed his success stories to God, but his emergence as the deputy governor of Delta State is simply, miraculous.
He single handedly built and furnished St. John's Anglican Church, Ibabu, and has contributed in legion ways to the work of God, apart from the fact that his charitable works, described in some circles as philanthropy, knows no bound.
As a Catholic, yours sincerely is aware that the greatest contribution that one can make is the act of charity, as it encompasses our love for God by loving our neighbours as we love ourselves In line with the present scenario, the Holy Bible, in Proverbs 19:17, says: "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed." Is Onyeme reaping his rewards for lending to the Lord?
If Onyeme is reaping the rewards of his generosity, then, he should be ready for an unprecedented crowd at the thanksgiving.
There are several reasons why the deputy governor should be prepared for his thanksgiving which I can comfortably itemize as follows:
He is the first Ndokwa man - Ukwuani and Ndoshimili man to emerge as the number two citizen of Delta State. Right from the days of Mid-West, Bendel and now Delta State, the governorship seat has always eluded the Ndokwa people. Such names as Chief Godwin Otunuya Iwegbue (Okpondiogwu) of Emu, Prof. Agume Eric Opia, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Onyechukwuakwaese Onwukamike, Dr. Joshua Enueme, and several other prominent persons from Ndokwa land had contested for the governorship seat without luck. In short, the coming of Chief Godwill Obielum into the governorship race in 2003/2007 changed the political equation in the state.
Though, Chief Obielum did not emerge victorious, he entrenched a situation where individuals could dare and contest for elective positions relying on their popularity. Naturally, too, as one of the most populated ethnic groups in the country and with a landmass that links Delta South, Delta Central and other parts of Delta North (Ndokwa people also share boundaries with Edo, Anambra, Rivers and Bayelsa States), have always been the beautiful bride of those who contested for the governorship position in the state.
Governorship candidates such as Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, immediate past deputy president, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, among others, had to choose their running mates from Ndokwa land. At the end, Sir Onyeme emerged victorious.
Thousands of Ndokwa people from all walk of life will see the thanksgiving as a celebration of their triumph and so, will troop out in large numbers. Besides, there are other reasons why Ibabu will play host to a large gathering of the tribe from Ndokwaland and beyond.
As a philanthropist: The Bible admonishes in Matthew 6:2, "When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you." This is the style of Sir Onyeme, and because of this attribute, he will never know how many people's lives his actions have transformed positively. As a lecturer at Delta State University, most of his ex-students have been itching to see him since his emergence as the deputy governor. They will gladly join him to celebrate. They will be happy for being alive to see their teacher emerged as the number two citizen of Delta State.
Through his Monday Onyeme Foundation, the deputy governor has awarded scholarships to scores of persons, people who do not have access to physically say, "thank you sir." Such beneficiaries will use the opportunity at the Church to join him to thank God. No doubt, those who have come across Sir Onyeme always have one or two positive things to say about him, because of the assistance he freely rendered when they were in need. They will also be at Ibabu to say, "God, thank you for the life of Onyeme."
The Odoziani Group: This is one of the most formidable socio-political organizations in Delta State. Before now, it was limited to the three local government areas of Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East and Ukwuani, but when Sir Onyeme emerged as the deputy governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, the group became pan-Delta with branches in Okpe, Warri, Asaba and other places. The group is a great mobilizer of men and resources; so, with their "principal" having a thanksgiving, they will naturally be at Ibabu to celebrate with him. Odoziani, which literarily translates to, "the man with the Midas touch," is a Chieftaincy title given to Sir Onyeme.
Politicians: The administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is still in its infancy and for that, there is bound to be a lot of politicians from all over the country attending the thanksgiving service. One group that is made up of professionals in politics is the Ndokwa Core Group. The Core Group is largely composed of tested technocrats. Call it a Think Tank and you will certainly not be wrong. Sir Onyeme is the leader of the group and members of the group see the thanksgiving as a special event for them.
Organisations/Clubs: Sir Onyeme belongs to many organisations and clubs. It is on record that the first set of persons to pay him a courtesy visit on his assumption of office as deputy governor were members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). And for that, it will not be surprising to see members of ICAN, Lions Club International, among several others attend the ceremony billed to commence at exactly 10 am.
Colleagues: This is as bogus as can be imagined. He was a lecturer, bursar of several institutions, accountant of organisations, chairman of several groups and a politician. So, his colleagues and associates cut across different fields of life and expectedly, they will be most happy to identify with him as he gives thanks to God for His goodness and mercy.
Of course, it is not possible to know everything about him, but one can imagine tumultuous crowd and camaraderie at Ibabu on Sunday. The town can be accessed from different areas. Those driving on Asaba/Kwale Road can hit the town from Iselegu junction as the well asphalted road leads straight to Ibabu. Also, there is a tarred road straight from Obiaruku through Utagba-Uno to Ugiliamai and Ibabu.
Also, from Obiaruku through Amai, Ogume to Ibabu is a tarred road. However, for those who desire to use earth roads, they can pass through the less than 7 kilometre road from Ossissa to Ugiliamai and on to Ibabu.
It will be recalled that during the opening of St. John's Anglican Church in September, 2019, the then Bishop of Ndokwa Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Right Reverend David Obiosa, in a sermon, said: “The whole duty of man is to serve the Lord. We are here for the dedication of this church and the vicarage built by Sir Monday Onyeme, a Knight of St. Christopher for a purpose; it is a place for prayer for the worship of God who made us and has continued to empower us.”
At that ceremony, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, the immediate past deputy governor of the state presciently said,: “B lastuilding for the Lord is the best gift you can give when God blesses you. Building physical structures for the Lord is good, but the greatest gift you can give is what you do in your heart. My prayer is that the prayers said in this place will uplift the people."
Thanking God has a lot of benefits and for this special moment, we can honestly say that the celebrant's action is adhering strictly to the injunction of the scriptures which holds: "And on that day you will say, 'Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted."'
Comrade Egugbo is an author and a journalist based in Asaba, Delta State.
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