Healthy Cheers to the king of Boys; Chief Edward Onoja »

By Haruspice

Described as a clairvoyant who hardly misses his predictions; he once told his mum that he would mount a throne one day, that was when he was a child. Many years after, he sits atop a throne as the number citizen in Kogi state. How he predicted the political greatness of his boss is another story waiting to be told someday.

Gifted with a telegraphic memory, the man remembers things in telepathic flashes. When he landed his first banking job, he remembered the woman who accepted and mentored him in the bank. Her name was Cecilia who was his superior in GTB Jos, his successes and triumphs, he wholeheartedly attributed to the woman. He held her in high esteem, tragedy struck and the woman was assassinated in the city of Jos, so ended the promising voyage of a breadwinner, for she was the only hope of her parents! Many years after, our man in reference remembered the sacrifices of this woman in his life as a young banker and decided to fulfil what has been the agelong dream of the deceased woman. He built a house for her parent in memory of his woman boss- something she had always dreamt of doing before death took her away. He searched for the family of this woman somewhere in Odu and honoured her even in absentia.

Reputed for always rewarding loyalty, traceable realities have it that no one crosses his path, toiled with him and not get rewarded. He has the memory of an elephant- lasting and unforgettable- the same way he is ingrained with the appreciation of a dog who never forgets kindness done to it. The reason those who made the government of Governor Yahaya Bello were those who toiled with them when there were in the tunnel of uncertainty.

Imbued with the heart of gold, the man can go all lengths to see people in pain happy. We have seen him pay school fees to indigent students, foot the medical bills of indigent patients, build homes for homeless and aged people, set up people in business and empower widows.

Highly detribalized and free-spirited, he has no boundaries as everyone with value is his regardless of their tribe, faith or creed. He feels divine and solemn in the church, same way he feels in the mosque. He is a man of all seasons- boundless and limitless. He builds for the church same way he builds for the mosque- he is a celestial product of grace.

Never a man who harbour grudges and resentments, he forgives those who slight him and even goes afar with setting them up again and again.

Perilously intelligent, smart and foresighted, he combines native intelligence with uncanny brilliance to provide solutions to personal and administrative burdens- a master strategist with nose for excellence. Unarguably, one of the most popular tested and experienced deputy governors in Nigeria. He is widely referred to as the king of boys.

Happy Birthday Chief Edward David Onoja, Araga 1, Olimene Atta, my brother, my teacher, my guide.

Happily musing