You initiated the job l work today late Dr. Steven Makoji Achema! A chance meeting with you over 45 years ago on your way to lgala Students Association (lSA) meeting @ Our Lady Teacher College- Anyigba. Typically of you, you stopped by to greet my father – late Pa David Ojogbabe Atodo- a frontline educationist from the current ruling house – Aju Ameachor. I was then a student of the Federal Government College, Okigwe- lmo State.
After your arrival into my family compound at Ugwolawo, there were warm exchanges with my father, you mentioned to him that you were headed to lSA meeting and l immediately turned to my father and said “ I should go with you for that meeting because l am an lgala student! My father smiled and said it’s for higher institution students not young people like you! Late Dr. said no Sir, she is a student! Before he could even say jack, l had gone into the house to change my slipper into an outing shoe because as the practice is in our household, once you woke up, you shower and dress especially when we are on holiday with our grandparents and my mom who is the first wife and the home keeper back then.
I was asked to join Mr. Tony Lona’s car to attend the lSA meeting because Dr’s car was full! What happened when we got the venue of meeting left an indelible mark that made me decided as a younger teenage girl to believe in you for life!
There was so much noice and tempers rising, the chaotic atmosphere discouraged me and the whole altercations were about who was to produce the next lSA president. As one of co- founder and initiator of association, you were the life patron l was made to understand . The moment you entered the hall, the silence was so deafening that a drop of a nidle could be heard! I had goosebumps and was wondering- what manner of man is this, what audacity and respect accorded him!
I got back home and told my father all that transpired and he said that is Dr. Steven Makoji Achema for you! He dares the odds and speaks to truth bluntly, fearlessly and too bold/ frank to a fault. I told my father, that’s who l want to be in life.
You become my mentor and guidance, even though we are not so close in proximity because we don’t live in the same city, l kept in touch as often as l could because in those days, we write and post letters. There were no phone communications at such.
I recalled seeing you walking out of Nitel Guest at lkoyi and l was driving in a car on the opposite side of road with my girlfriend Ndidi Okoroji, who came in from America. I shouted from the window and you waited for so long for me to get to a roundabout to turn and meet you waiting. You were on your way for an appointment and your driver hadn’t arrived yet, so you walked out as a Senior Special Assistant to President Obasanjo! We took you back to the guest in our car for a brief chat @ l told you l and my brother needed a public service job. And you said, consider it done@ your father educated us to in turn help you younger ones!
You initiated the employment opportunity by speaking to Mallam Nasir Elrufai, the then BPE DG, we applied and wrote the attitude test and both of scored A plus marks and you were proud of us. You had promised to ensure we were employed but unfortunately you did not live to finish what you started.
However, the boldness which we had learnt over the years from your approach to issues and things gave us the confidence to approach others around to make it through! One of your closest ally Mr Sunday Okai contacted one of your political associates, we went to one or two people, l made my way to Prof Jerry Gana, a close associate of the family to ensure we actualize our dream of being gainfully employed. Incidentally too my brother Prince Augustine Akwu Atodo whom we were in the job hunt together, never lived to resume work.
25 years down the line, l am still doing the job and God has been merciful but l know if you were alive, my narratives would have been different! I went into the public service job on level 12 , having graduated 10 years with cognitive work experience instead of level 13 in 2000, two years later, the error was rectified and l was elevated to 14 but someone sat on it! With the fearless leadership you mentored us, l wrote severally, even before the correction. Nothing was done for 5 years, l got the next promotion after 6 years. 11 years after working for an organization l devotedly serviced l got only two promotions then the waiting began for 4 years and another 9 years! In 24 years l was promoted only three times!
My narratives could have been different if you were alive because you are a dogged fighter and a man of Justice and FairPlay !
A selfless lcon and colossus you were! You once said to us” l am first and foremost born an lgala child, before my family was mentioned and attached to me! You gave an illustration- when a child is born by a woman, those around will noise the birth of a child by saying an lgala woman had just delivered a baby boy or girl! Then someone who knows more details will say Mr. Achema’s wife is the one who gave birth! You taught us to be aware of who we are- proud lgala sons and daughters who should stand tall and defeatless in all ramifications.
I can’t thank You Dr enough for the foundation you built, for the courage you instilled, and for the unspoken words of wisdom that resonate within me. To anyone reading this, I urge you to cherish the mentors in your life, especially those whose influence might not be immediately apparent. Thank you for the confidence and courage you instilled in us, the challenges you helped to navigate and the positive impacts You made in our lives!
You have been gone for 25 good years but yet YOU LIVE👍🕊️🙏❤️🌹
Vera Otini Atodo
