The week-long 50th birthday celebration of former PRODA Board Chairman, Com. Daniel Onjeh, ended in pomp and pageantry last Sunday with a grand dinner at the Abuja Continental Hotel, (formerly Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja).
The event attracted Benue Deputy Governor Sam Ode; who represented Governor Fr. Hyacinth Alia, as the Special Guest of Honour.
Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Russia, Prof. Steve Ugbah was the Chairman with other dignitaries including the House of Representatives member for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Hon. Philip Agbese; the former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen; former National Vice Chairman (North West) of the APC, Dr. Salihu Moh Lukman; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Affairs, Com. Sunday Asefon and Deputy Benue Speaker Hon. Lami Danladi.
Also at the occasion were the National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Prof. Dickson Akoh; Benue Commissioner for Finance, Chief Michael Oglegba; Benue Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Hon. Odoh Ugwu; the former House of Reps Member for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Hon. Otta Francis; former MD/CEO of Nigeria Export Promotion Zones Authorities (NEPZA) Engr. Nongov, amongst several others.
The mood in the auditorium was generally cheery and upbeat; as it afforded old friends, comrades and political associates an ample opportunity to reunite after very long intervals.
Guests at the event were thrilled to scintillating musical performances by two of Nigeria’s top gospel musicians, Solomon Lange and Chris Morgan respectively. There were other musical performances, as well as poetry and cultural dance to entertain the large audience.
Onjeh stated that he’d held brief for youths for a very long time.
He added that judging by the official age that defines youth – either by the Nigerian National Youth Policy or the United Nations Charter, he had since crossed the youth bracket.
He said the peculiar socio-political and economic indicators of Nigeria and the need to constantly engage the political actors, were the reasons he still held up for the youths long after serving as NANS President as well as his stewardship on other youth-related platforms.
Onjeh observed that now that he’s at the fifth floor, it was time for him to finally quit the stage.
In what he termed a valedictory speech to the youths, the former fiery student activist noted he would only watch from the sidelines of activism, and guide the younger generation, as his physical activity at the barricades would henceforth be at the barest minimum.
He charged youths to rise to their responsibility and contribute their decent quotas to the development of the nation.
Onjeh also seized the occasion to admonish the youths, stating that economic hardship was not an excuse for anyone to indulge in crime or to accept failure in life, otherwise so many people who are celebrated today, may not have attained the positions that God has elevated them to in life.
“I recall that as a little boy, my siblings and I hawked bread, Ovaltine, Ogbono and crayfish etc. on the major streets of Kaduna, just in order to support our mother – who was a stark illiterate then – at a time when my dad travelled abroad for further studies,” stated Onjeh.
The celebrant further stated that he gives thanks and glory to God for preserving his life.
Delivering his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ugbah, showered copious plaudits on Com. Onjeh, describing him as a man of honour and integrity.
Read Also: Emulate Chinese approach in tackling Japa syndrome, US group tells FG
“Here is a man that I’ve known for about twenty years now. Here is a man who has values – for some of us – dreams of possessing. Here is a courageous man, who has been resilient in his pursuit of whatever it is he has set his eyes on,” stated Prof. Ugbah.
INational Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Prof. Dickson Akoh, observed that the occasion of Onjeh’s 50th birthday offered ample opportunity for genuine reconciliation in the Benue State Chapter of the APC, as it afforded politicians from different sides of the political divides during the last general elections, a congenial atmosphere to interact and broker lasting reconciliation.
Benue Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, described Onjeh as a very passionate young man who’s imbued with high integrity, and therefore has bright prospects to excel in politics.
He assured Onjeh that his ambition to represent Benue South in the Senate would certainly be actualised in God’s appointment time and prayed that the 2027 general elections will be God’s appointment time for Onjeh to clinch the Benue South Senatorial seat.
Onjeh’s 50th birthday celebration kick-started on December 13 with a sober reflection.
He subsequently visited the Mother Theresa Children’s Home at Gwarinpa, Abuja as well as the Gwarinpa General Hospital at Life Camp, where he interacted with, and shared gifts with the children and patients respectively.
The other activities including a health awareness walk; a symposium with the theme: “The imperative of deepening democracy and good governance in Nigeria”; the launching of the Funmilayo Fasona and O.J. Dennis Memorial Lectures and the conferment of Awards of Appreciation were all shifted to February 2024 for convenience.