Sunday, December 29, 2024, was an extraordinary day in the ancient town of Onuaku, Uturu, in the Isuikwato Local Government Area of Abia State. It was the day Dr. Uche Ogah, former minister of state for solid minerals in the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, the immediate past president of Nigeria and his siblings, bade a final farewell to their mother, Ezinne Paulina Wilson Ahamefula Ogah, JP, the late matriarch of the famous Wilson Ogah Dynasty.
The event was actually not a burial. It was a carnival, the type the people of Onuaku had not witnessed in a long time. The horde of visitors from all parts of Nigeria and even beyond, from all walks of life which descended on the quiet town, announced the importance of the event that was holding that day. The indigenes could not recall an event that drew a crowd of that size in their community. It was, indeed, a memorable day, a farewell like no other that brought the peaceful community to a stand still for a whole day.
It was a pleasant coincidence the ceremony took place during the period of the Yuletide, a period that traditionally brings home the people of the South East, from far and near – within and outside the country – for what is usually a re-union among family members, kindred, age-grade young men and women in various cultural unions for the celebration of not just Christmas, but festivals, burials, marriages, etc. It was the most auspicious time for the celebration of the life of a highly revered woman who made a positive impact on the lives of many people during her lifetime.
Madam Wilson Ogah, a woman many described as virtuous and kind-hearted, had earlier gone to meet her creator on Friday, May 1, 2024 at the ripe age of 80 and, in line with her wish, the family of the late Wilson Ogah had interred her remains 24 hours later on Saturday, June 1. The passage of a towering figure like Madam Ogah could not possibly go uncelebrated. Thus, having done her wish, the family decided, naturally and understandably, to set aside a special day to honour its matriarch and give her a farewell befitting of her status and accomplishments in all areas of life.
The celebration of the impactful life of Madam Ogah was exactly what it was meant to be – a celebration. One striking feature of the event was the noticeable love, goodwill and support Dr. Uche Ogah and his siblings enjoy across the length and breadth of Nigeria, which was reflected in the “who is who” that was at Onuaku. The attendance was proof of the bridges of friendship Ogah has built across ethnic, political, religious and socio-economic lines over the years.
The event had President Bola Tinubu being represented by Nkeiru Onyejiocha, Minister of State for Labour. Some state governors, including Dr. Alex Oti, Ogah’s governor, were in attendance, including former governors Rochas Okorocha and Rotimi Amaechi of Imo and Rivers states, respectively. Deputy House of Representatives Speaker, Banjamin Kalu, was one of the distinguished guests at the event. Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate president, was also in attendance.
The final burial rites for the Matriarch of the Ogah Dynasty provided an opportunity for her highly successful children, not only to give her a farewell deserving of her illustrious journey on earth, but also to appreciate God for the immense blessings they have had the privilege of enjoying in life. While struggling to find his feet in life, Uche Ogah had made a vow to God, to use his success for the benefit of his fellow humans if He blessed him. “Oh Lord, when you bless me, I will help the poor; I will create job opportunities; charity will be my next name; my state and country will be blessed by me,” he had prayed. God answered his prayers.
For many years now, he has remained faithfully committed to redeeming his pledge to God by using his success to change the lives of hundreds of his fellow humans. Since 2005, Ogah has used his Masters Energy Group through over 20 subsidiaries to create 6,000 direct and over 30,000 indirect jobs for Nigerians, thereby adding value to their lives. His conglomerate is involved in diverse areas such as oil and gas; real estate, manufacturing, financial services, petrochemicals, commodities, shipping, agriculture, dredging, renewable energy, etc.
He has empowered thousands of people in various other ways. On Sunday, December 29, 2024, some of the people whose lives he has touched turned up to show solidarity through donation of various items and materials, mostly food items, to make the final farewell of his mother the huge success that it was. The number of cows donated for the feeding of guests made it seem there was a make-shift cattle market at the venue of the ceremony.
For Ogah, it was a feeling of immeasurable joy seeing the crowd of people he had assisted who showed up to celebrate with him. “During my mother’s burial, I saw good people I empowered gather, and I could not count the number of cows,” he said after the event. “Touching lives is my heart beat, but seeing these lives do well is my joy.” He recalled the words of John Maxwell who said leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts, but about one life influencing another.
A remarkable feature of the celebration was the commissioning of some projects using the platform of the Pauline Ogah Fundation, which Uche Ogah set up to immortalize his mother. The projects, which were commissioned by Governor Oti, include the Wilson and Paulina Memorial Hospital in Onuaku, Masters FM Radio and an international standard hotel.
Looking back at the epoch-making event, a highly elated Ogah is full of gratitude to God not only for the illustrious life his mother lived, but also the opportunity to give her the kind of farewell everyone agrees she deserved. “Not of him that willeth or runneth, but of God that showeth mercy,” he quoted the scriptures. “It is our desire to create job opportunities for citizens and we are doing it. The future is bright. The Ogah Dynasty is grateful.”
