By Macbeth Ojugbeli
It is well known that life holds a one timetears; either pain or gain but some, we hope not to bear. A ‘moving knowledge’ has hit the underworld, leaving many works yet undone, many children yet ‘un-teach’ and the unborn yet overloaded with his wealth of knowledge.
Death has made another unforgettable error that will keep lingering on everyone’s mind in years to come; a tale to be shared amongst people about the demise of a hero even to the generation unborn.
If only death can understand the lyrics of life, some personalities based on their integrity, transparency, fairness and dignity, would have gulped an extra time to live; people like Dr. OMOKHOGIE ADAMU.
We have lost a rare gem, a hero per excellent, and a father figure to all. We the Stars and Styles team nationwide in dirge mood, celebrates a legend whose legacy lives on since his demise on the 6th of February 2017, 8 days before his 84th birthday.
He was the Chairman/Editor – in – Chief of the Magazine, Senior Editor of Stars and Styles Research and Documentation Unit where he finely gave all towards ensuring a viable and educative research. Basically, he maintained a column titled ‘African Culture’ in the Magazine.
Indisputably, his contribution to Stars and Styles Company remains a solid foundation in his advice, counsel, encouragement, motivation to mention but a few. This however has kept the company on track over the years.
He wrote lots of unpublished books Stars and Styles hope to update and publish, including the book “The Five Flying Flags” co-authored with his deputy, Lois Otse Adams, a book in Press presently. The book was however too be used to celebrate his 84th birthday until he gave up.
His dexterity in maintaining transparency, fairness, objectivity, integrity and truth, pushed him away from politics, yet, he contributed immensely to the development of his community, Edo State, and the world in general through his vast acceptable literary works. He was a man of honour; intelligent and focused. He was a complete gentle man yet dogged.
He prepared his generation for the great tasks ahead by planting a good seed; these, his dogged, fearless and ever focused daughter Lois Adams Otse upholds. Dr. Adamu gave birth to a Heroine, a fearless woman, a woman whose social disposition is perceived as a threat by those who are not ready to learn or do things the right way.
The identity of Stars and Styles is based on his fortitude of truth, integrity, fairness and transparency. He was very friendly and a good friend of those who had the privilege of meeting him.
Despite the fact that death is sudden and emergent; Dr. Adamu had his burial planned before his demise; yes, he told his family the end has come. He is a hero even in death.
His children miss him so much. They are in ‘pool of tears’ remembering the sweet moment of celebrating his birthday every year and the skip of this year’s own. What a loss!
We the Stars and Styles team nationwide knows that you can be bodily absent, but mentally and knowledgeably, your seed in us will continue to wax stronger in good light. We miss you papa! We miss you ‘the boss!’ good night sir!
PROFILE: A TALE OF ADAMU’S JOURNEY
DR. OMOKHOGIE ADAMU was born on 14th February, 1933 at Ugiekha, in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. He was educated at the Government Secondary School, Auchi, Holy Cross Catholic School/Immaculate Conception College, Benin City and Our Saviour’s Academy, Onitsha. He was a journalist, economist, accountant, agriculturist, quantity surveyor, business administrator and stenographer, among others.
He was the second child and first son of Mr. and Mrs. Adamu Ikirodah. His father, Adamu, worked with the missionaries in Burutu, Delta State, while his mother, Mrs. Malagha Adamu, also known as ‘Mama Agba’, who later became the Magaja (Queen of Women) in Ugiekha Community, was a local midwife. Mama Agba was also the mother of Mrs. Maria Badejo, who was Omokhogie’s older and only surviving sister from the same mother. Maria was one of first educated midwives in Afenmai land. She passed on about 6 years ago at Ijebu – Ode, Ogun State.
On account of his quiet and amiable disposition, dedication to duty and quick action in all he set himself to do, Omokhogie was popularly known among his kinsfolk as ‘The Adadamoko’, a rarely seen mythical bird flying at high altitude in the wilderness and reputed to have fine feathers which are priceless; also known as flash of the divine.
From the age of 18, he worked with the United Africa Company Limited, Warri; the War Department (Nigerian Army) Lagos; Afamal Nigeria Limited (later Advertising Nigeria Limited), Lagos; Union Training Company (Motors Dept) Ibadan; Costain West Africa (Nigeria) Limited (Auchi Polytechnic Project), Auchi; Philip Holzmann (West Africa) Limited (Okpella Cement Project), Okpella, and Benin City and Monier Construction Company (Nigeria) Ltd., Warri.
He held several executive positions in commerce and industry for more than four decades, with greater focus on grassroots development. He was among the pioneers of big scale corporate agriculture business and poultry farming in Nigeria. Among the awards he received from various institutions in his lifetime are:
1. Federal Polytechnic, Auchi – Nigeria:For giving students maximum opportunities and adequate facilities to train in his establishment (1980).
2. University of Nigeria Crop Science Association, Nsukka, Nigeria: For his wonderful contribution to Agriculture in general and plant production in particular (1981).
3. University of Ibadan, Nigeria: For the opportunity he offered some of the second year Agricultural Science students to make use of the facilities provided by his establishment for their practical training ( 1981).
4. Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Benin City, Nigeria: As a practicing farmer, an Agro-Industrial Management Consultant and former member of Bendel State Farmers’ Association[o1](1987).
5. Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFRN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada: As active participant of DCFRN (1988).
6. Federation of International Youths Sports (FIYOS), Abuja, Nigeria: For his tremendous input in the elevation of human standard and propagation of peaceful co-existence in general (2000), etc.
In his lifetime, Omokhogie Adamu spent a greater part of his earnings on books and self-education. Education of his children was also part of this huge investment. Among the institutions in Nigeria and abroad in which he qualified for membership in various categories are: Nigeria Institute of Management; The British Society of Commerce (UK); British Institute of Management (UK); The Association of Cost Exchange Accountants (UK); The American Institute of Management (USA); International Business Consultants 500, Geneva, Switzerland; International Biographical Association, Cambridge, UK, etc.
He proceeded to Western States University for professional studies at Doniphan MO, USA, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (BBM) in 1986. A Masters degree (MBA) in 1987 and a Doctorate degree (Ph.D) in 1988.
Other awards and commendations which Omokhogie Adamu received are from: Monier Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited; Workers Union, Warri, Nigeria; Society of Psychic Sciences, Auchi Polytechnic, Nigeria; Society for International Development (SID), Rome, Italy; Agriculture Club, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; World Safety Organization, Manila, Philippines; Ministry of Agriculture, Benin City chapter, Nigeria; Poultry Association of Nigeria, Benin City chapter, Nigeria; Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Crop Science Association, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Federal Department of Agriculture Cooperatives, Benin City, Nigeria; International Biographical Centre (IBC) Cambrdge, UK; Bendel Broadcasting Service, Benin City, Nigeria; Development Country Farm Radio Network (DCFRN), Ontario, Canada; Africa NGO’s Environment Network, Nairobi, Kenya; Volunteers in Technical Association (VITA ), Arlington VA, USA.; The World Literary Academy, Cambridge, UK; Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), Lagos , Nigeria; The American Biographical Institute, Raleigh NC, USA, and Federation of International Youths Sports (FIYOS).
Following his amiable disposition, Omokhogie Adamu became a member of several respected social associations worldwide. His biography has been published in ‘MARQUIS Who is Who’ in the World; Chicago, USA (6TH and 8th edition); ‘DICTIONARY OF INTERNATIONAL BIOGRAPHY’ Cambridge, UK (19th edition); ‘INTERNATIONAL LEADERS IN ACHI EVEMENT’ Cambridge, UK (1stedition).
He was Chairman and Managing Director of the two companies he founded from 1972-1983. The companies ─ Adamu Farms Limited and Adamu Livestock Feeds Limited ─ provided grounds for training of students of:
· Auchi Polytechnic, Department of Business Administration
· University of Ibadan, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
· National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
Indigent secondary school students were offered jobs during holiday periods on a regular basis. In one instance, a student was offered scholarship to study Agriculture at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Omokhogie initiated the SAVE THE EARTH (STE) GLOBAL CAMPAIGN in 2000, which advocates the building of a new man and woman who are amenable to discipline. He was the founder of BOOK WORK CO., in 2002, whose aim is to facilitate learning within universities and agricultural schools. He served in several development committees and boards in his clan and local government area. In his later years, he devoted most of his time to working as an independent publisher and peace activist. He wrote many books and inspiring, life changing articles for both local and international newspapers, journals and magazines for many decades.
He was a member of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja chapter, and Abuja Writers Forum (AWF). He loved music, writing and dancing. He was a father and mentor to many youths and children all over the world and blessed with ten surviving children, forty grand children and twelve great-grand children.
Married to Uduone Florence Adamu who died on the 18th of July, 2008, Omokhogie passed on to glory in the early hours of 6th February, 2017, 8 days before his 84th birthday and the burial is slated for 17th and 18th of March 2017.
What a personality he was!
May his gentle soul rest in peace, amen.
[o1]Please check to be sure that it is Bendel State Farmers’ Association. If not, pls correct.
