THE BIOGRAPHY OF AND TRIBUTE TO HONOURABLE CHIEF LORD MAYOR OTISI OMOJI

Mayor Otisi Omoji Otisi was born in 1926 to OMOJI OTISI of Ndi Omoji, Ihebu Ameke and Madam Inyang Eme Echeghe (Nwaegele) of Ndi Echeghe, Ihungwu, Ameke both of in the Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State Nigeria in West Africa.

He attended the then Church of Scotland Mission School, Afiankwo, Abiriba where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1939. For his secondary education, high school equivalent, he passed through then famous Aggrey Memorial College, Arochukwu, under the revered mentorship of the great Alvan Ikoku (of blessed memory).

The Abiriba community identified the young Mayor as one of the talented potentials of his generation and magnanimously sponsored him to study at the pioneer and prestigious University College, Ibadan (UCI), Nigeria, an overseas affiliate to the University of London, London. He successfully completed his course of study there in record time in 1952, thus, becoming one of the few pioneer graduates of the institution with a B.A. (Honors) degree in the classics with a bias for then-popular combo, English and Latin. He, in fact, proved himself a seasoned literary scholar.

Mayor Otisi Omoji was a distinguished fine and truly accomplished teacher for more than four decades of his life. His teaching career began soon after he attained the First School Leaving Certificate. Because of his excellent performance, at that academic level, he undertook the Probationary Teacher’s Course between 1941 and 1943 concurrently serving as a probationary teacher. By 1948, Mayor Otisi Omoji had risen to the status of a government teacher. His love for the teaching profession as a way of raising future leaders in the society spurred him on to go back to his alma mater, the Aggrey Memorial College to teach immediately after his graduation from the University College, Ibadan in 1952. He subsequently taught in Enuda High School and Egwuena Girl's Secondary School both of which were in Abiriba.

As an educationist, academic, and administrator par excellence, Mayor Otisi Omoji was the Principal of many schools beginning from 1964 in the then East Central and Imo States of the then Eastern Region of Nigeria:

• Egwuena Girls’ Secondary School, Abiriba (1964 - 1966)

• Enuda College, Abiriba (as it then was) (1968 -1972)

• Ihie High School, Ihie Mbawsi (1972 - 1974)

• Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogbor Hill, Aba (1974 - 1976)

• Government Secondary School, Umuahia (1976 -1979)

• St. Aquinas Secondary School, Osu Mbano (1982 - 1984)

A veteran Principal, he retired in the special class category. He was eloquent in instructions and his knowledge of positive effective learning techniques enhanced his academic impartations and disciplinary dispositions. The versatile, erudite, disciplined, and high achiever students all over the world he produced, showcase the excellent job he performed in those schools. Numerous sons and daughters of Abiriba in particular and Nigeria in general who passed through Mayor Otisi Omoji continue to gratefully hold him in high esteem. He was a good teacher who always wanted and worked to see his students excel. The caliber of his products today in all spheres of life attests to this glaring fact.

Mayor Otisi Omoji was a fervent patriot, charismatic politician, and result-oriented community leader of high accountability and transparency irrespective of the fact that a prophet is often said to be without honor among his own people. He had very sharp wits often making sparkling jokes in social gatherings and great oratorical skills. He devoted so much of his energy, time, intellect, modest resources, skills, and talents towards the intellectual, sociopolitical, and economic emancipation of his people.

Mayor Otisi Omoji’s political career began when he was barely 30 years of age. In 1955, he became the first chairman of the then OWUWA ANYANWU COUNTY COUNCIL of Eastern Nigeria, a post he consistently held through mostly consecutive reelections for six terms spanning up to 1963. Between 1956 and 1966, Mayor Otisi Omoji was the Chairman of the Abiriba Local Council. The “Mayor” title was unanimously conferred upon him by his people at the grassroots during this period in his political career.

At the time of his demise on December 12, 1991, Mayor Otisi Omoji was the immediate past General President of the highly organized, dynamic, and effective Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) having served on various occasions as its Vice President. The Union, under Mayor’s leadership, witnessed peace and the successful completion of several developmental projects. He was the founder of the ABIRIBA PEACE COMMITTEE. His unique leadership role was exemplary and he contributed to the unity, peace, and development of the Abia State Creation Movement which today is a reality.

Mayor Otisi Omoji was a great statesman and sportsman of monumental stature excelling mostly in field events such as high and long jumps, football, and the like. In his student days, he won many laurels in schools’ sports competitions.

Like all true heroes, Mayor Otisi Omoji’s manifest boundless knowledge, wisdom, responsibility, accountability, transparency, amiable personality, friendly and philosophical approach to life, generous, compassionate, tolerant, and accommodating attitude as well as his great erudition have placed him on a pedestal that is worthy of emulation by all aspiring leaders. Mayor Otisi Omoji had the honor and privilege to serve in the following national, regional, state, and local boards and committees, to name a few:

• The National Enlightenment Committee

• The Land Use Advisory Committee

• The Eastern Regional Board of Education

• The Eastern Regional Broadcasting Service Advisory Committee

• The Police Public Relations Committee

• The Arochukwu/Ohafia Local Government Consultative Committee

• Chairman, Conference of Principals of Aba, Umuahia, and Okigwe Zones

Mayor Otisi Omoji strove for all that was noble. He contributed immensely to and identified with social, economic, educational, and political aspirations and growth of the generality of mankind. Himself a beneficiary of the philanthropic gestures of his community and well-meaning friends and relatives, he displayed an unparalleled sense of altruism and philanthropy to deserving sons and daughters of Abiriba in particular and Nigeria in general. He quietly sponsored many people through academic institutions while assisting qualified personnel to be gainfully employed especially in the school system.

A devout Christian, Mayor Otisi Omoji served the church as a chorister from his youth where he met his wife. He was a fervent preacher and religiously observed quality devotion to God both in school and at home. Mayor Otisi Omoji represented his parish of the Presbyterian Church at Synod meetings and also served the church in numerous other capacities.

He was also a great traditionalist extolling the rich cultural heritage of the Abiriba people in particular and Nigeria in general whenever the opportunity existed.

He was one of the pioneer participants of NZUKO NDI IGBO, the popular NTA channel 6 Aba program between 1974 and 1976. He also granted press interviews on the rich and unique culture of the Abiriba people.

He was a foundation member of the prestigious Akahaba Age Grade belonging to its exclusive “Otuenyi”. An epitome of the young and at heart and a man of the people, Mayor Otisi Omoji’s friendship scope and social life knew no age or status barrier. As a young boy, he associated not only with his peers but also the elders of his day such as Ete Ndukwo Nta and Chief Awosley Otisi. As an elderly man, most of his good friends were young people.

Mayor married his sweetheart, Eudora Ugo Mbonu, in 1954 and the Almighty God blessed the union with six children and many grandchildren. He showed unequaled love and devotion to his family both nucleus and extended in every circumstance. He indiscriminately gave everyone the opportunity to improve himself or herself educationally and otherwise. He was a source of inspiration and pillar of support to everyone in the family and always disciplined with love to bring out the best in all. He loved his only brother, Chief Ujah Omoji (fondly called PAPA, ETE UJAH, of blessed memory), dearly.

Mayor’s hobbies were mostly reading, dancing, and positive thinking. It is a recompense to all of us that knew him closely during his lifetime that God in His infinite wisdom and mercy so blessed us with the gift of MAYOR OTISI OMOJI who is to us the Moses of our time and his spirit, love, works, and, above all LEGACY live on for the benefit of posterity. To honor and continue the evergreen legacy of Mayor Otisi Omoji and his beloved wife, Ugo Otisi Omoji, are the purpose of the OTISI & UGO OTISI OMOJI MEMORIAL FOUNDATION formed by their offspring.

Mayor Otisi Omoji and his wife are enjoying heavenly bliss in the bosom of their Maker and Almighty Father. May light perpetual continue to shine on their peacefully resting souls. Amen.