Meet Chief Sylvester M. Onoja, 'OON' the man who organised the iconic Atta Igala Coronation »

By Abdullahi O. Haruna Haruspice

Luxuriating in fulfilling retirement after many stints in various leadership exploits, he was called and tasked with the responsibility of chaperoning the processes of coronating and installing the Attah Igala His Royal Majesty Agaabaidu, Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Ogwuche-Akpa who had returned from a hunting expedition.

Basking in cultivated experience and native acumen, Chief Sylvester Onoja dusted his apron and wore his shoes of service as he embarked on what has today been adjudged as an iconic installation ceremony witnessed ever in the history of Igalaland. That the event wore the dress of success and danced the tune of pride is to the ingenuity of this Imane born administrative tactician who is undoubtedly one of the last products of colonial proteges.

Riding on ancient cum modern leadership dexterity, the septuagenarian patriarch employed an all-inclusive approach that saw him domesticating the processes that led to the eventual success that the installation of the 24th Attah Igala recorded. No family, clan, political, cultural, religious and professional groups in igalaland that were not carried along. He made sure everyone partook in the process and the result was the total buy in that greeted the installation of the Attah Igala.

Financial obligations poured in torrents, same way political and individual goodwill rained in. It was an event that was owned and adopted by all Igala sons and daughters. The event witnessed the glitz, glamour and prestige that comes with royalty. The presence of government at all levels was felt as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari was conspicuously represented in full capacity. The assemblage of other royalties led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Saad Abubakar II gave credence to how strategic the Attah Igala is in the traditional permutations of leadership in Nigeria. The class and finesse showed by the His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello was the icing that sits in doting fascination. To say the event was just a success is to undermine class, the event was classic, memorable and exquisite.

And the man that assembled the very best and committed sons and daughters of Igalaland Chief Slyvester Momoh Onoja, OON, emeritus principal of Kings College, former commissioner, former teacher sure deserves a parade of words in accolades. He showed class, tact, pedigree and transparency in handling one of the most celebrated events in the history of Igala civilisation.

Born April 10, 1946, Imane, Kogi State; has in his educational voyage stints at the Native Authority Senior Primary School, Ofugo, Teachers’ College, Ayangba; Advanced Teachers’ College, Zaria; University of Dakar, Senegal; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Career: Appointed Assistant Lecturer, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1975-77; Principal, St Peter’s College, Idah, 1977-82; Commissioner, Benue State Teaching Service Commission, 1982-84; Vice Principal, Federal School of Arts and Science, Suleja, Niger State; Deputy Director, National Educational Technology Centre, Kaduna; member, Board of Directors, Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation, Makurdi; acting Director, National Educational Technology Centre, Kaduna, since 1987; member, International Council for Educational Media; Commissioner of Education/ Science and life principal Kings College, Lagos amongst other worthy accomplishments.

All hail Chief Slyvester Onoja; the young old man with the Midas touch of diligence, professionalism and thoroughness.

***The writer Abdullahi Ojoanyonu Haruna (Haruspice) is the scion of the Otutubatu dynasty of Imane and writes from the headquarters of the Musing School of Thoughts.

Impressively Musing