… Ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Ogomudia, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Buratai, Okowa, Others Pay Tributes
By Gbenga Abulude
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has described the late Major General Oroh Esio Obada (rtd), as an elder statesman who fought for the unity of Nigeria in his lifetime.
The Senator who was at the burial ceremony of the former Federal Commissioner held on Friday, August 14, at Agbarho in Delta State, speaking to newsmen, noted the late General was known all over the country and loved by all for his immense sacrifice and commitment to nationhood.
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He said, “Major General Obada, in his lifetime, fought for the unity of this country. By record, his best friends are not even from this part of the country. He is a man loved by all. A man who was at home in the North, at home in the west, at home in the east, and if course, at home here.
“The baton he has handed over to us. It is now our role to also fight and strive to the best we can to keep the country united and protected and give everybody a sense of belonging as Nigerians.
“That is the legacy he left behind which we have inherited. And hopefully, one day, it is the legacy we shall also pass on to the younger ones. He will be missed by everybody.”
Some of the dignitaries who graced the burial ceremony include Deputy Senate President, Mr Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege; Speaker, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief David Edevbie, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and former House of Representatives member, Chief Solomon Ahwinahwi.
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Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia and Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, represented by Maj-General J. O. Orifo were also present to bid farewell to the late Major-General.
Major General Oroh Obada (rtd) on June 14, after a brief illness at the age 81.
Until his death, he was the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the apex socio-cultural umbrella body of the Urhobo Nation, Urhobo Progress Union, (UPU).
Born on April 4, 1939, late Major General Oroh Obada hailed from Agbarho Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
His education took him from Hussey College in Nigeria (1953 – 1958) to Regular Officers Training School in Teshie, Ghana in 1959,
By the time he joined the military, he went on to be Aide-de-camp (ADC) to the President of Nigeria, H.E. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1964 –1966).
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, Nigerian Army, Lagos (1975); to President, Special Military Tribunal, Lagos; then on to being appointed Federal Commissioner for Works, Lagos in 1976.
He retired from the military in 1977. Obada also represented Delta State in the Federal Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission in 2006.
The late Elderstatesman played a major role in checkmating violence among Urhobo youths and ensuring peace in Urhobo land.
