By Chukwudi George Ozalla
“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living”.-Marcus Tullius Cicero.
I believe that every rational individual will freely agree with the above stated quote: because good men hardly die, they literally live forever in the hearts and memories of all those numerous lives they have impacted positively while on earth!
Chief (Sir) Gordian Chukwuemeka Oranika, also known as *Ochendo Abatete*; a well deserved chieftancy title bestowed on him by his people- was indeed a very good man, a colossus with deeper meaning; a man so humble, kind, gentle, and generous to a fault!
Our paths first crossed at Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro District, Abuja-FCT, many years ago and we started interacting closely: few years down the line- my younger sister got married from his hometown of Abatete in Anambra state and the more we kept in touch.
Chief Oranika was a quiet honest man of means, an embodiment of integrity, civility and great vision; yet very humble and easily accessible, sometimes one has to literally struggle to hear him out when he speaks due to his admirable soft-spoken voice; Ochendo’s simplicity was indeed quite amazing.
Chief Oranika has an outstanding personal aura, prowess, joy, plus uncommon stamina for sharing his loving kindness, care, warmth, time and assistance to so many- without any form of discriminations, a larger-than-life ‘unrelenting philanthropist‘ he was; who loved both God and humanity alike with all his might, a long standing trait which he effortlessly and joyfully carried onto his considerable old age and till the end of his earthly sojourn at the age of 89.
I had no slightest premonition that: ‘Ochendo Abatete’ was about preparing to go back to his Maker when last I visited him at his Asokoro Abuja residence; that was precisely in the month of February, this year.
In fact, he walked up as usual to the main door and opened it for me from inside; while beaming his characteristic smile, he outstretched his hand for a warm handshake, thereafter he led me in, this time around to his bedroom- where we both sat opposite each other. We began to discuss sundry issues with his usual smiles and chuckles in-between our hearty conversation, little did I know that it will be our very last one-on-one physical interaction before he was called home on 3rd May, 2024 by his Creator.
Before Ochendo’s transition to eternal glory, I was able to reach him on telephone sometimes in March and he told me in a faint tone that he was sick and I wished him quick recovery, and thereafter, I kept calling to enquire about his health.
I can vividly recall with nostalgia that I used to tell Ochendo that I had liked him to clock 100 years of age; hale and hearty, and possibly even more. He will often reply with heart-warming smile or chuckle and later say in Igbo language, ” O Chukwu ka ife nine di na aka”, meaning “it is God that everything rests in his hands”.
Chief Oranika was a very dedicated pioneer former staff of Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA), who rose to the peak of his career, and of course who served his nation meritoriously with extraordinary burning passion; especially when some civil servants were very laid back in relocating to Abuja to help in its early development as the new Capital Territory of Nigeria, but courageous patriotic: Chief Oranika took that bold step and relocated!
It was he who completely gave in his best in national service, working closely with the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ibrahim Babangida… before retiring at 59 without any blemish, the rest is history.
Ochendo later went on to switch to private sector where he deployed his impressive wealth of administrative skills and dexterity and equally excelled!
Sir Oranika, was a man full of compassion, goodwill, fairness, justice, intelligence, and few words: but at the same time fully equipped with great listening ears and open mind; matching it with diverse good deeds and deliberate action plans when it comes to either supporting or uplifting and putting smiles on faces of individuals, groups, towns, churches, associations, as well as corporate organisations, he equally supported other worthy causes and offered a lot of people scholarships!
Chief Oranika has received so many prestigious awards, recognitions, and honours, including conferment with highly coveted papal knighthood!
Even though, heaven has gained a very good man; I shall sorely still miss Ochendo’s physical presence and those fond memories we shared.
Nevertheless, I shall surely brace up and pay him no greater tribute than to continue to reflect upon his great life of value and impact, propagate lessons learnt, cherish rich words of wisdom and numerous wise counsels which I was privileged to benefit from him.
I, personally so much perceived in him an astute encourager, hard worker, very good family man, great cheerleader, trail blazer, god fearing, god-sent, quintessential cheerful giver, good adviser, great achiever, well educated administrator, benefactor, and above all; down to earth- very neat and perfect gentleman!
I am both glad and confident that the good and selfless legacy Ochendo has left behind will be majorly sustained by his immediate wonderful family, associates and friends; because grief is not about the loss, it is a journey of love, and meticulously carrying forward the ideals and values of those we cherish and adore.
In the words of Albert Pike, “what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal”.
Therefore, closing with the above stated quote by Pike; Ochendo Abatete lived very well, touched many lives and finally paid his dues in full and thus: will be well immortalized!
Sir G.C. Oranika (Ochendo Abatete), continue to rest in the bossom of our Lord Jesus Christ until that resurrection day, amen!
Goodbye; Chief (Sir) G.C. Oranika!
Goodbye; Ochendo Abatete!
Goodbye; Ezigbote ezigbo madu!
*Chukwudi George Ozalla is a Media/ICT Consultant and MD: Zalchukz Multi Concerns Limited.
