From Joseph Obukuta (The New Diplomat’s N/D Correspondent)
Major-General Orho Obada, a retired Air Force and Army Chief, a former federal commissioner for works and member of the Supreme Military Council during the Murtala-Obasanjo regime has died.General Obada was one- time GOC 4th Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos. He died at the age of 81.
General Obada, who served as an Aide-de-Camp to Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikwe died on Saturday night after a brief illness, a family source said Sunday morning. General Obada who had a very distinguished military career which saw him rise to the pinnacle of his service retired in 1977 at a relatively young age.
Prior to his retirement, he held several strategic positions including acting Chief of Air Force, Federal Commissioner for Works(Minister for Works), GOC, General Officer Commanding 4th Division of the Nigerian Army,Lagos, member Supreme Military Council, among others.
Upon retirement, General Obada has been greatly involved in community service and engagement in his native Agbarho, in Delta Central Senatorial zone of Delta State. He had engaged in key community services to the Urhobo nation.
General Obada, until his death was the chairman, Board of Truste e of the apex Urhobo socio-cultural organisation, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU).
General Obada’s Profile:
Born in Ikwewhu, Agbarho, Major-General Orho Esio Obada, (jssc, OON, OFR) is a Retired military officer, civil contractor and community leader resident in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.
His education took him from Hussey College in Nigeria (1953 – 1958) to Regular Officers Training School in Teshie, Ghana in 1959, to the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, England, UK in 1960, and finally to the Joint Services Staff College in Latimer, England, UK in 1968.
His earlier career saw him progress from Survey Assistant (1958), Ministry of Lands & Survey, Ibadan, to Platoon Commander, 2nd Battalion, Abeokuta, to Troop Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers, Kaduna, to Adjutant, 3rd Battalion, Nigerian Army, Kaduna (1963).
He went on to be Aide-de-camp (ADC) to the President of Nigeria, H.E. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1964 – 66); then Second in Command/Commanding Officer, Nigerian Air Force, Kaduna; then became Acting Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force HQ, Lagos in 1970.
Gen Obada distinguished career then saw him rise to Commander, Training Command, Nigerian Air Force, Kaduna in 1971; to Member, Supreme Military Council & General Officer Commanding (GOC), 4th Infantry Division Nigerian Army, Lagos (1975); to President, Special Military Tribunal, Lagos; then on to being appointed Federal Commissioner for Works, Lagos in 1976.
Obada retired with the rank of Major-General in 1977.
