Obosi, oke mba!

Right from my younger days, the town named Obosi in Idemili North, Anambra State has always resonated with me.

The reason as at that time, was because of the onetime Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, whose eloquence, brilliance, intellect and impeccable carriage has not stopped amazing me till date.

Never did it occur to me that I would get to meet the person of another outstanding personality from Obosi in the course of my life journey, in the person of the only thirty-five years old ever, to lead the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) during which he built an international standard, training institute for FRSC at Enugu.

This is a man that implemented the “One Nigerian in the cockpit” policy as an aviation minister, which was aimed at increasing the number of indigenous pilots that were employed in the Nigerian aviation industry.

The Enigma called Ike Obosi

This article is not primarily to write about the achievements of this figure, that I am obviously intrigued at the reach of his cerebral stock and his social network scope, as they are so many.

It is more aimed at talking about the gains of being open minded, building formidable relationships with people by deliberately investing in such relationships, being skilled at building worthy relationships, to being intentional through life as a young person, as you meet people on your life journey.

In other to put this conversation in appropriate context, the name of the man being talked about all this while in this article is Mr. Osita Benjamin Chidoka, a man of many parts. He holds the traditional title of “Ike Obosi”.

Being deliberate about the circles you venture into

Over the years, if there are a set of people that have always appealed to my sense of admiration, they are men and women who are humble with relatable cultural values, accessible and career driven, business minded, who are also willing to mentor younger people without being scared of giving these younger ones, access to their networks.

Just before I get to talk about my observations of Mr. Osita Chidoka, as of the time I met him on the 26^th day of May 2024, you already know that prior to this day, despite having attended to Mr. Osita Chidoka in 2019 as a patient who came for his routine health maintenance checkup at Echolab Laboratory and Radiology Abuja (an excellent diagnostic brand at the time) where I was then a staff, yesterday was the first day he got to deliberately know that there is a young, bald headed, ambitious, Medical Laboratory Scientist who works for Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi called KaTcHy from Isiala Ngwa.

Human Assets like Dee Obinna Oriaku

This event did not happen on my own request or lobby, it happened on its own at the instance of Mr. Obinna Oriaku, one of Abia State finest public servants, who spearheaded worthy financial reforms while in office as the Commissioner of Finance in Abia State during the first tenure of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the then Governor.

Mr. Obinna Oriaku was one of the most persecuted members of that administration. He was haunted and violently blackmailed for daring to bring in far reaching reforms to the civil service, which entailed, things being done differently as opposed to the status quo.

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Mr. Obinna Oriaku was frustrated out of office by vested interests, for being too committed to implementing what he thought would have been in the interest of the State. Despite the level of criminal gang up against him, no dent is yet to be effectively established on his sterling record of service, many years after he left office. This is the part of the onetime APC Governorship aspirant in Abia State, that made me consider him an elder, worth mentoring the younger ones, in every sense of the word.

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Mr. Obinna Oriaku had just chatted me up quite early on a Sunday morning, giving me details of his schedule for the day. He gave me the privilege to know that he was coming to my neighborhood, to attend Mr. Osita Chidoka’s mother’s memorial service.

Owing to the many studies I have passively gained from diligently following Ike Obosi on all social media platforms and being a Mekaria scholar, I know how not to let strategic opportunities/exposures pass me by.

Just to deviate a bit, when Mr. Osita Chidoka initially advertised the Mekaria Mentorship programme. Unknown to Mr. Obinna Oriaku who had sent me the link to join the course, I had already registered for the course.

Walking the talk

Immediately Dee Obinna Oriaku informed me that he would be with The Chidoka’s for the one-year memorial of their late Mother, I personally had to, “invite myself to the table” although in a subtle manner, just as Ike Obosi had advised the youths to always do, during one of his lecture sessions in Kenya.

Shooting your shot when you have to.

This here was my reply, “I would have really liked to come but then I was not really invited to the event”. You really do not want to be a nuisance to anyone for any reason.

Dede Obinna Oriaku responded in such a warm manner, that made me crash every other established schedule I had for the day and headed to his location. Here was what he said, “You can come, and I would personally introduce you to Ossy”. In my head I was like, just like that?

I shared the information with the only person who was worth knowing of it, found someone to stand in for me at work, from where I then moved to the saloon for an instant haircut, because how one shows up matters a lot.

This was done, having in mind that you may never have a second chance, to make a first impression if you mess such first exposures up.

Growing together with your clique

My world view mandates me to always make opportunities available to my friends, who care enough for such privileges. I called a brother; to accompany me but he was not in town, so I had to go alone.

Summarize it to say, just as Apostle Joshua Selman or Apostle Femi Lazarus would always say, the gift of men is one gift you cannot buy with your money. When you get such gifts, treasure it at all costs. Thanks Dee Obinna Oriaku, I am grateful.

Access is a huge social capital

At arriving the location, the security barricade to the exclusive area where the Chidoka family was, was visibly thick and there was no way a regular visitor would have access to that space, if you didn’t have what would serve as a pass, in human form.

Just as the DSS Personnel and the other security agents were about to ask for who I was there to see, Dee Obinna Oriaku personally stepped out and signaled, for them to allow me into the place. Friends, the rest they say is history.

Mr. Obinna Oriaku personally introduced me to the Attah of Obosi who offered us the sweetest palm wine I have ever tasted, Mr. Obinna Chidoka, the unassuming two-time federal legislator and then to Ike Obosi, the man I had always admired for his values and commitment to excellence on all fronts.

The Chidoka Brothers, were so kind to have us exchange phone numbers, as they personally asked that I follow up with them subsequently so as to keep in touch.

The real catch

Here is the catch, if you must become a man or woman of influence in any society, the worth of your social circle, who recommends you to people and their choice of words while at it, matters a lot.

Granting you access to, choice contacts, is just a part of the equation but what you are able to make out of such exposures is entirely up to you. You must be well skilled and deliberate to offer value, to “earn/benefit” from such exposures on the long run. Relationships are invaluable investments.

Strong and visible family unity.

Looking at the Chidoka family of four (4) men and a Lady, I saw a form of unity that cannot be expressed in words, among the family members.

How would you feel if I told you that the entire family literarily live in a single, massive building, despite being rich enough and having their individual mansions in Obosi?

This singular act illustrates, unity which would eventually yield strong family bond. Successful families collaborate and never compete.

Split second assessment, a skill worth acquiring.

The conversation I had with Mr. Osita Chidoka, and Mr. Obinna Oriaku, barely lasted for five minutes. However, there were some quick picks, no smart person can miss out about Mr. Osita Chidoka’s persona.

his reality as of today, did not just storm up on him, he has been well prepared for the big stage of life.

This is evident in the quotient of his emotional intelligence which is seen in his interaction with people.

He seems to be one who brags differently from the regular politician. At the moment, he seems obsessed with providing global standard scholars, that would emerge from Obosi in Anambra State, as he has an established Computer Based Test Centre in Obosi.

He has regards for his online followers, especially if you are able to get across to with a proof that indeed you have followed his brand for a while. He is one man that pays attention to details and a bit of a patient man too.

Grateful people appreciate the least of things.

As Dede Obinna Oriaku was about leaving for Enugu later in the day with his friend, Ike Obosi and Mr. Obinna Chidoka, the former House of Representative member, were visibly grateful for his presence, as they vocally expressed their gratitude to him for coming.

When you meet people just as I met with Dee Obinna Oriaku some months ago, gauge their quality and decide whether to build a relationship with them or not. Do not waste your time with people unnecessarily.

At all costs, endeavor to offer anything of value you can afford to such relationships, don’t be a dead sea that only receives and never gives out.

Community service, a tool for societal development.

Wherefore, for anyone based in Anambra State, Mr. Ike Obosi wishes to see to the emergence of exceptionally excellent candidates from Obosi in subsequent national examination cycles.

He would appreciate having as many youths as possible that can help teach these kids, basic computer usage skills, come onboard to help him make the dream a reality.

Chidoka’s Family Donation to Obosi Community Children.

For the gift the Chidoka Family gave to primary and secondary schools in Obosi during the memorial service at St. Andrews Anglican Church Obosi on the 26^th of May 2024, posterity would be kind to your family.

Conclusion

Hopefully, someday we would talk about exploring the Anambra Health insurance option to meet some healthcare needs of the Obosi people. It was a great day for me, and I am deliberate to explore the gains of this exposure, down to sharing physical fitness schedule routines.

Finally, every youth must understand that despite being eminently qualified academically, Mr. Osita Chidoka is a product of relationships, diligence at tasks and mentorship.

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