It was in Okpo, venue of the commissioning of the Okpo Central Mosque that was long abandoned that the man Edward Onoja l, Kogi‘s Deputy Governor caught my fascination. With a microphone in his hand, just when he was to speak, he broke into tears that sent chills down the spine of all present.
It was the statement from one of the Muslim faithful that pierced Edward‘s heart. In a constricted quivering voice, the man said,‘ ‚You are not a Muslim, yet you facilitated the completion of this mosque that has been under perpetual construction for 25 years. There are churches to build but you chose to complete this abandoned mosque. You didn‘t stop there, you brought your boss, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to commission this project. What kind of man are you?“.
These words sure would break any heart. So, it was Chief Edward who wept inconsolably that day. Edward‘s display of love for the Muslims is not accidental, it is rather innate and deeply rooted in his overall character. As a man who believes that all men are equal before God, Edward respects and relates with all people, irrespective of religion, creed, ethnicity, and ideology. I remember last year Ramadan, clad in white jalabia with a flowing shawl to match, Chief Edward stormed my house to join my family in breaking the fast. That was a perfect repeat of the age long mutuality that existed between Muslims and Christians, and this man is here sustaining that virtue.
Those who live forever are those who collapse and uproot all social barriers and prejudices that have long held us down as a people. Great leaders are those who place human competence above primordial sentiments. Starting from personal domestic aides, Most of Chief Edward‘s personal aides are Muslims.his domestic aide Haruna a Bassa Nge man is a Muslim, and his Chief Driver Mohammed, an Ebiraman, is a devoted Muslim who upholds the Islamic tenets. Same with Habibat another Ebira lady his chief cook, not forgetting his Head Janitor, Kabiru, also an Ebira blood. A man who surrenders all these personal privacies to those, not from his faith is indeed a man with boundless dispositions.
One can‘t but mention the number of Muslims he sponsored to Mecca for the Muslim hajj in the last seven years. This boundless man also built homes for 4 elderly across the state. 3 widows and 1 pensioner. 2 are Moslems and 2 are Christians. When you put all these together, you have a man who is defined by humanity rather than the prejudices of religion and ethnicity.
An Islamic cleric in Anyigba recently took to the minaret by extolling the tolerating virtue of Edward Onoja as someone with inimitable love for Muslims. So enthralled was the cleric that he called on fellow Muslims to emulate the worthy character of Kogi‘s deputy governor and leading aspirant in the forthcoming Kogi gubernatorial race. According to the man, Edward lives by the principles of Islam, especially in regard to helping the needy, building shelter for the homeless, providing for the aged, giving succor to widows and orphans, and building mosques for the sake of Allah. Interestingly, all these he does without fanfare.
Overall, Edward Onoja‘s love and tolerance for Muslims is truly remarkable. It is not every day that we find leaders who go above and beyond to promote interfaith harmony and understanding. Edward‘s actions and words reflect his deep commitment to the values of compassion, generosity, and kindness that are at the core of Islam.
It is heartwarming to see Edward‘s willingness to embrace diversity and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His tears at the commissioning of the Okpo Central Mosque demonstrate his profound empathy and sensitivity to the struggles and aspirations of his fellow citizens. His gesture of joining my family in breaking the fast during Ramadan shows his respect and admiration for the Muslim faith.
Indeed, a true mark of leadership is the ability to collapse the barriers of prejudice and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. Edward‘s personal aides and staff who are Muslims testify to his commitment to building bridges across religious lines. His dedication to helping the needy, building shelters for the homeless, and providing for the aged widows, and orphans, is a shining example of what it means to live a life of service.
The Anyigba Islamic cleric‘s extolling of Edward‘s virtues is a testament to the impact that his leadership is having on the lives of people in Kogi State and beyond. Edward‘s love for Muslims and his tireless efforts to promote interfaith harmony are worthy of emulation. As we strive towards a more peaceful and just world, we need more leaders like Edward who lead with their hearts and work towards a common vision of a better future for all.
