A sumptuous, groovy and well turned out party is described in social parlance as a bash. That was what we had on Tuesday in celebration of the birthday anniversary of Bashorun Askia Ogieh JP, the Udu of Isoko Nation.
Putting the weight of the party and the attributes of his person together, “What a Bash” came compelling to me as the title for this piece because, incidentally, he is commonly called BASH.
With the immediate past Governor, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and incumbent Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, along with various top state dignitaries, party functionaries and royalties in attendance, it can only be an acknowledgement of his place as a statesman and a critical stakeholder our polity, and an appreciation of his continued meritorious service to the state.
But it was not only about the top brass, it was even more about the people: women and youth groups, senior citizens, professionals in various fields and common folks from across the state and beyond, all synced into a large and united political political vanguard and prosperous and happy social family always with hope alive.
Perhaps by reason of his upbringing, Askia has taken to charity and the lifting of people as a way of life, both in his official and private capacities.
His demonstration of this attribute knows no bounds, from his native Uzere kingdom through the whole of Isoko of which he holds the development of the land and the betterment of the people dear and for which the assembly of traditional rulers unanimously installed him the Udu of Isoko Nation, to various communities in Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ndokwa, Ukwani, Oshimili, Aniocha and Ika nations which he has positively impacted in different ways, extending to Yorubaland where he was installed Bashorun, and across the Niger where he was conferred with the title of Agunechemba of Aguleri.
From a humble beginning as the Chairman of Isoko South LGA Council, he distinguished himself to become the Chairman of Delta State ALGON and further demonstrated a strength of vision, resourcefulness and commitment to the development of the state to take his deserved place as a critical success factor in various administrations.
He continues to perform on given mandates in institutional assignments, political mobilisation, community development, peace building and security, and external relations in the service of the state.
At the inauguration of the current board of DESOPADEC, former Governor Okowa gave a valedictory celebration of his performance as Managing Director. Incumbent Governor Oborevwori also noted same in his goodwill message to him on his birthday.
Besides his delivery across various sectors – education, health, roads, bridges, markets, housing and human capital development – across communities of DESOPADEC mandate areas, both leaders are in unanimous appreciation especially of his establishment of the DESOPADEC Skills Academy by which the agency has and would possibly continue to empower women and youths in skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, jobs and wealth creation for the economic upliftment of the people.
Impressed with the programme during its last matriculation ceremony, Oborevwori, then as Speaker and Special Guest of Honour, not only pledged that it must be sustained but that its intakes and empowerment package would be increased for good measure.
The programme now therefore outlives Askia’s tenure as MD of DESOPADEC and marks his noble footprint in the sands of time.
But there are many more other worthy deeds, too numerous to be counted. I am not only a witness, I am a beneficiary and I know that thousands of other people have their testaments too.
Ye, no man is perfect, but love him or hate him, no one can take away the fact that “Askia na man, Askia na Father, Askia na Leader.”
What a bash!
By Fred Edoreh
SSA (Media) to His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori
Governor of Delta State
