Balogun Omeiza David (BOD) Media Aide to the Director General, Government House Administration, Lokoja.
It is no longer a fresh news to many that Alh. Dr. Umar Oricha Shuaibu serving as the Director General, Government House Administration and some other people got the positive nod to continue serving the Government of Kogi State. This green light to remain in office was made possible some few days ago by a powerful man the Ebira people now refer to as “Ananeyi” (the crystal clean and clear one), His Excellency, Alh. (Dr.) Yahaya Bello (CON) the Executive Governor of Kogi State.
To as many who believes totally in God Almighty, it is an injunction that in everything we are faced with as mortals be it good or bad, we should give thanks to this great God, our maker. It is on this premise the great God of heaven who made the heaven His throne and the earth His footstool is worthy to be thanked and praised forevermore.
Frankly speaking, it is wrong to take for granted what God has helped Alh. Dr. Umar Oricha Shuaibu to achieve by serving under the administration of Alh. (Dr.) Yahaya Bello and still seen as a useful vessel that is worthy remain in the corridors of power. To God alone be the all the glory!
The name Oricha in Ebira land refers to God the Supreme Being. The relationship between the Yorubas and the Ebiras paved way for some Yoruba words to find their ways into the Ebira language. The word Orisha in Yoruba language usually refers to supernatural entities also known as deities. They are actually the emanations of the Supreme Being the Yoruba people refer to as Olodumare. Orishas are forces of nature who mediate between Olodumare and
humanity.
The full expression of this name in Ebira language is “ORICHA BEDU-BEDU. It is an expression describing how powerful God is and comfortably controlling the affairs of the entire world without any known stress or hitch. The Ebiras allows their children to bear the name Oricha to appreciate the goodness of God Almighty in their lives and also the progress they are making. It is a simple way of saying this child of mine that you are seeing is existing and waxing stronger because of the hand of God Almighty that is upon His life. This exactly is the true story of Alh. Dr. Umar Oricha Shuaibu. He has said it on different occasions that were it not for God, his loving and caring elder sister he would have ended his whole life as a farmer. He would not have had the opportunity to trace and write the letter “O” using the bottom of a circled bottle. This will surely be a story for another day.
I was privileged to witness the excitement which was later followed by tears of joy of a particular young man when the news announcing the continuation of Alh. Dr. Umar Oricha Shuaibu in office. This made me to dig deeper to know why many souls are delighted about the many positive elevation revolving around this astute administrator whenever his name is mentioned.
The most most valuable component of leadership is not power, position, influence notoriety, fame, talent, gifting, oratory prowess, intellectual sagacity, academic achievement or management skills. You may now be wondering what then stands a leader out among other people that he becomes a golden fish that is so much sought after. The answer is simple. It is character.
A Chinese proverbs says, “Character is first a cobweb before it turns into a cable.” According to Dr. Myles Munroe, “Character is the cradle of credibility for the leader. Without the element of strong, noble, honorable character, leadership and all its potential achievements are in danger of cancellation. Every leader is only as safe and secure as his character.”
I make bold to say that what has kept Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu on top of his game till this moment is simply his character. This is a man you cannot come and meet to conveniently paint a person black thinking he will not call the person to find out the truth. Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu is a man that becomes sick when he does not have anything to give to address a problem begging for an answer. He is a kind-hearted man who is well aware that giving is one of the many robes God adorns Himself with. The most surprising thing about him is how he attributes all his contributions he is making to affect humanity positively to God’s providence and also his boss, Alh. (Dr.) Yahaya Bello (CON). He has so conditioned his heart to the fact that nothing whatsoever can go into his head to make him become proud and haughty. The biblical Herod became so proud that he equated himself with God until God ordered worms to eat him up from head to toe. Our own Oricha known as “Oda-yoza-ri” (the one who gives out to people) has a character that is far flung to that of Herod. This is why both the young and the old are always ready to relate with him because of his humility and open hands readily available to give people a warm embrace.
Still on character, Alh. Dr. Umar Oricha Shuaibu has been able to cultivate a powerful character which has become a force protecting him as a leader. His huge success that is visible and traceable in all he ventures into is not one that can be bought with any hard currency no matter how valuable and huge the denomination is.
There are one thousand and one words to use in describing the person that Alh. Dr. Umar Oricha Shuaibu is to many of us, but the bottom line is for all to know that he is a man that never allowed strange characters to infiltrate into his ways of handling matters. He is one man that can stoop low to get ideas from a child that can be rated as a grandchild to him. He is not a religious bigot. He respects those working under him and corrects them in love whenever they go astray. He has a plan for everyone and such plans are not of evil. Alh. Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu stuck to the character of always going home to mingle with his people. This is one major reason his people both home and abroad fell greatly in love with him.
Adayi Oricha as he is fondly called is worthy to be showered with encomiums at all times. He is one man, leader and great philanthropist that has etched his name in the hearts of men. Guess that is why God who remains the divine Oricha in heaven whispered into the ears of “deities” like Alh. (Dr.) Yahaya Bello (CON) and Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo (OAU) to give a green light for our earthly Oricha to remain and continue his good works among men.
May his continuation in governance lead to much greatness for him. May he never falter at the altar of service. May every evil finger and fiery darts targeted at him be hauled back at the perpetrators. Amen.
Congratulations Adayi Oricha, the Landlord of Government House, Lokoja.
