The deadly Itobe fire and the extinguishing rains of Edward Onoja »

By Haruspice

There is an intrinsic mystery about this man called Chief Edward Onoja; just when you think he is done with his humanitarian gestures, boom, he perches on stressed spots and brings succour to distressed hearts. A few days ago, the small town of Itobe in Kogi State was blackened by an unfortunate fire disaster that left many traders stranded with charred remains of their kiosks. Everything they laboured to garnered as means of sustenance were destroyed by the inferno. The town wore a gloomy mask as the people seemed soaked and consumed in unmitigated grief and forlorn resignations.

It was this disenchanted mood that greeted the deputy Governor of the state when he visited the victims of the fire accident. With padded courage, Chief Edward Onoja representing his Siamese twin boss Alhaji Yahaya Bello changed the people’s mood with what appeared to be a flicker of hope. Right there, he promised each of the affected traders numbering 20 with N50,000 each! Jolted by the unexpected gesture, the people returned to life with renewed vigour and hope.

Typical of Edward, he wasted no time in making reality his promise. Today, his emissaries were in Itobe to fulfil his pledge, each of the traders bounced back to life with N50,000 with the state government making arrangements to assist them with seed capitals. Like his boss, his strength is his vows; there is nothing he says that never gets fulfilled. I remember when he promised a car to Igala’s Ngworo maestro Danlami Ayofa around 2016. Years passed and nothing and the dude had deadly given up. Then the unexpected happened; in 2020, it was an Ayofa that became a proud car owner courtesy the fulfilling promise of Chief Edward Onoja. He always matches his words to his creed- an enviable leadership trait you would say!!

I can’t forget how he literally hijacked the project The Buhari In Us; he got his boss Alhaji Yahaya Bello to personally adopt the project and followed it to the end. That the book was a hit back to back is to the personal interest and investments of this man called Edward. Once he believes in an idea, he owns to fruition. The same way on November 6th last year whilst dedicating a house for his mum. He promised a Pensioner and his wife a 3 Bedroom fully furnished flat somewhere in ODU area of Dekina. I gather he is almost set in keeping to the promise he made about a year ago. What kind of man who takes personal pleasure in the comfort of others! Indeed those who live forever are those who recreate themselves in others. This Ogugu born political tactician is a pleasurable reference of human builder. May posterity be kind to him.

At a time naysayers were gloating on their concocted political dwindling of Chief Onoja, the man was busy identifying with people affected by misfortunes. He seems stoically non-distracted and unfazed. Like President Muhammadu.Buhari, Onoja is typically deafened to cacophony of paperweight noises that pokes towards. Another leadership quality in him.