On a special day like this, we hazard a passing contemplation on the person of Barr Ossai. If only thoughts could pierce the gourds of wisdom, and the poets gifted beyond mere artistry to feign suitable verses and stanza in describing this amazing prodigy, and were the prophets and seers deeper in divination to forewarn us in this clime that he will be born among us, we would have long readied ourselves for this rare privilege of scratching out this passing tribute to a young man that is not only a model of honour to his generation, our community but has become an icon of political sagacity and a seasoned chapter of study in focus, persistence, responsibility, imagination, integrity, ingenuity and of course eyes for details.
In this moment like at all other times, those of us who witnessed his rise to the height he has attained can comfortably beat our chests in affirmation that his life is indeed a “fairy tale” of remarkable and meteoric splendour, meritorious legal practice, managerial acumen, phenomenal negotiation skills, stellar industry, deep cultural and family values, all which have impacted his personality.
Cutting his teeth in politics during the early stages of the formation of PDP, Barr Ossai went on to cultivate an arrays of quality and formidable network of friends and associates across the globe. His place in the politics of Udenu and indeed Enugu State in General from early year 2000 to the present day cannot be overemphasized as we are all witnesses to his exploits, most of which are done in the background.
In our community Ezimo, he stands out among the leading lights with immeasurable commitment to peace, unity and development that have become our strong point in the comity of communities. We as a people cannot celebrate him enough.
Rising from the foregoing, it is easy for us to say that were mere words sculpted and given form by mouth apt enough to quantify the enigma tucked in that gentle heart but dogged personality, if only imaginations can figure the sizes of garlands that should and have decorated the neck of a worthy son as he, then we would have been equipped enough with the grandest adjectives to eulogize him for who and what he has become for us and the larger society.
Emerging as the Deputy Governorship candidate of our party did not come to us as a surprise mainly because he is a square peg in a square hole who had sold himself to service for public good.
The words of the leader of Odinma Nsukka, Engr Vitta Abba on the day the body came to condole with him over the passing on to eternal glory of his grandmother rings as a fitting tribute to a man who he described as the brain box of the great body. He went on to regal the listeners that "everything about Odinma Nsukka from concept development, setting of tone and direction, nurturing and crystallization into a formidable political movement was the inventive genius of Barr Ossai".
With this background knowledge, it is safe for us to say that "his selection as PDP Deputy Governorship candidate is a fitting tribute to a man from whom much has come and from whom much more is expected".
We have no doubt therefore that he will be an exemplary and supportive Deputy Governor of Enugu State.
As he celebrates his birthday, we enjoin friends and well wishers to massively support and pray for more and incremental blessings on him.
Happy birthday.
Onyekachi C Ugwu
President Ezimo Unity Forum on behalf of the Forum
