Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged wealthy Nigerians to use their resources for public good, saying the most worthy achievement involved in doing those things is to “keep our memorial alive.”
He made the call at the weekend at Okai Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State where he led other eminent Nigerians to celebrate the diamond jubilee of his former aide, Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha.
Onuoha, who was Special Assistant to the Obasanjo on Privatisation turned 60 on March 22, and his Item people rolled out the drums to celebrate him. To mark this special day, he unveiled a 50-bed Agnes Onuoha Memorial Hospital for his community, a gesture which excited Obasanjo, hence his emphasis on the need for well-to-do individuals to do similar things.
The former president noted that such people-oriented project would make positive impact on the well-being of the people, saying: “Imagine the number of lives that would be saved in this hospital.
“You have made me happy. Your life has been one of service to humanity and to God,” he told his former aide, who is a bishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria.
Obasanjo inspected the health facility after which he performed the foundation laying ceremony for additional buildings being erected at the hospital complex.
Speaking with journalists also, former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, described Bishop Onuoha as “a special gift to humanity,” adding that the cleric has distinguished himself in life of selfless service.
He stated that he has known Onuoha as a man of impeccable character, who has continued to touch lives in a positive way and has contributed immensely to national development, peace and harmony.
Also, the Prelate, of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, who led a host of Methodist clerics, including the former Methodist Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev M. Kehinde Stephen, to honour their own, lauded Onuoha for his accomplishments.
He declared that: “I am proud of Rt. Rev Bishop Onuoha” for his contributions to the growth of the church and welfare of the people.”
Noting that Onuoha has generously given back to the society what God has blessed him with, the MCN Prelate said Nigeria needed leaders who could render selfless service like the celebrant.
The grand reception held at Okai Item Primary School was preceded by a Holy Communion Service conducted by the MCN Prelate at St. John Methodist Church, Okai Item.
Meanwhile, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, profoundly expressed gratitude to God for what He has used Onuoha to accomplish over the years, saying: “We are celebrating one of our own, a man that has dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity.”
He eulogised the celebrant for making himself available for use as a divine instrument for preaching the gospel, transforming lives, making peace, and bringing development to his immediate environment.
Recalling his life journey from the genesis to the present level of becoming a sexagenarian, Bishop Onuoha stated that it has never been a bed of roses, adding that he and his family have waded through adversities.
However, he noted that with God’s help he has triumphed over difficulties with his family, adding that this had spurred him to seek ways to make positive impacts on lives of people.
He explained that the 50-bed hospital, which he built for his community through Vision Africa Initiative, was named to immortalise his late daughter, Agnes Onuoha, whose heart was full of compassion and care for people.
Onuoha was the first bishop in charge of Evangelism in the Methodist Church Nigeria, a position he held for six years and later became the World Methodist Evangelism’s Regional Secretary for West Africa in 2012.
