By Maryam Abdullahi
Late Barrister James Ocholi (SAN), former Minister of state for Labour and Productivity, may have departed to the great beyond too early, the sole memory of the detribalised patriot may continue to live forever in the blossom of his families, friends and associates. We were one big family, with those who are related by blood and those who are related by relationship. The wife called me ‘Oyinem Neyi’, meaning my senior sister. The husband called me my sister.
He said each time I see you, I see my younger sister. We are more of friends to the family. The Ocholi family and my family, Abdullahi Iliyasu’s family are very intimate. This is the kind of relationship we have. A legend, James Ocholi is a man who has so much respect for humanity and religion of others. If I were to write about him, I would have written a whole book. An accomplished, in mission and visions on earth, Ocholis, to many of us, is in transition to the great beyond too early, unexpectedly. But to God Almighty, it’s something different. We will miss his care, cute and gentle smile and every good thing about them. And indeed, the assimilative smile of both the husband and the wife, whose mood, hardly anyone could knew whether she grows angry resonate hope.
That smile conveys optimism and delight to many to people especially allies, and they exhibited selfless lifestyle, and sacrifices. Thus for those who may be thinking it’s all over, it has just started because God has just taken over. And we will continue to remember Him in all our endeavour and believe that in His name all things are possible.
Like everyone else who hears and knows me with the family members, it was shocking, painful and speechless when the news of their death filtered into our ears. Two weeks to the unfortunate incident that led to their death, the wife was in my office to attend a seminar on empowerment programme with the team, ‘Believe in Nigerian youth project.’ After the seminar, she came into my office where I was talking to my friends from Kano and Kogi states. The lady from Kogi, Hadiza who knows Mrs Ocholi got talking to her about the need to organise an event and invite all the women leaders for meeting, but I advised her to drop the idea.’ Don’t do anything of such’, I said.
I also said you have done thanksgiving already; there is no need for another one. God answered from anywhere, and they all laugh and said Dr. Maryam is not a politician, so she will not understand. That was my last discussion with the wife. The family intimacy was quite high that the late Minister visited my office most times unnoticed. On Monday afternoon of February, the Minister was in my office, and said, I don’t need a permission to visit my sister.
There are so my things I could say about Ocholi, however, I am short of words to describe them. A star, Ocholi and wife’s’ demise left a vacuum that can never be filled. We will always cherish the memories of being with him and knowing him. There are times, I wonder why it was their time to go home, and then I am always reminded of how God knows all, and have the whole world in his hands. He knows what is best for every one because it’s only He who knows what the future holds.
We as human being can only do so much. It is only God who knows what each of us can bear and when and time is over. But to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born and a time to die. Therefore, for us as a family who believe in God for all things, it’s just a sad moment and glorious future to His name.
My last time with him was, as I said earlier, he comes to my office without notice. At times, I’ll be attending to guests in my office only to hear that Ocholi is here in my office. One morning I got his call telling me that I am sending my driver to pick you to my office. His reason was that I have not been to his office since he became a minister. Before I could say yes or no, the driver was sent to my office to pick me down to the office. I had to go.
On getting there, he sat me on the back chair instead of the normal visitors chair so we can discuss. Before then, the wife too, sent her driver to my office, to pick a paper presented during the seminar. So, the two of them visited me many times, individually or together. This was our relationship until the occurrence of the incident. One can imagine how sad, devastated and emotionally touched I have been, with the news of their demise.
The Ocholis were more worried about people’s predicaments. They were benevolent. In fact they have a foundation called Habilla Gold Foundation. In the main religions, Christianity and Islam, helping people are the essence of their doctrines – to help mankind out of sufferings. The God we served has made it clear in both the scriptures to extend hands of help to the mankind as one of the teachings of both religions.
I testified that the Ocholis were in service of God by assisting the poor, the needy and the under priviledged. In their house in Abuja, there are so many young people they encouraged and support to go to higher institutions of learning. Ocholi and wife don’t discriminate based on religion, and they are seeking for God’s blessing. A very happy couple I ever come in touch with. Our staff in Women for Peace In Nigeria (WOPIN) would miss them, because of their smiling faces, their jokes, their easy-going nature and encouraging words. Indeed, Nigeria has lost an intelligent man, a rare gem and a patriotic person in him. Goodbye, the Ocholis!!
Dr Abdullahi, National President of Women for Peace In Nigeria, WOPIN, wrote from Abuja.
