Hon. Dr. Ossai Nicholas Ossai: Celebrating a Legislative Maestro At 54
By Hon. Ossai’s Media Office
– Humility, Character and Service are the most critical attribute of Leadership as alluded to in the temple of Ethics scholars on leadership.
According to the proponents of this thought, every great leader is identified by his humility, character and service. Indeed, character and service are the preserver components of leaders’ vision and legacy. Consequently, Rt. Hon. Ossai’s life aptly illustrate the wise words of one of the greatest and arguably the best leader in America history- Abraham Lincoln, when he rightly stated that-“Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality”. Hon’s Ossai’s quality representation is indeed a promise well kept.
Accordingly as Rt. Hon. Dr. Ossai Nicholas Ossai clocks 54, this foreground is an important basis for mirroring at his life, service and leadership ideology. One is compelled to interrogate Rt. Hon. Ossai’s legislative brilliance and celebrated life especially as it relate to his shared uncommon compassion and humanity as an underlying visible pillar in his actions as a legislative ‘GENERAL’, his enormous contributions to national development and as a model personality to be emulated by others… servant leadership!
Rt. Hon. Ossai’s humanity, courage, convictions and leadership principles are exemplified and better understood within Apostle Paul’s famous charge to Timothy in the Holy Book (2 Timothy 2:1), “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Indeed, Hon. Ossai’s extraordinary life and leadership accomplishments can only be well conceptualized within the theory of ‘God’s Grace’ (supernatural), to which he has taken advantage of through devotion, commitment and sacrifices. This is very crucial especially for those and indeed many who still wonders why his achievements are uniquely unique and massive.
From a humble beginning in 1963 to his ascendancy as a fine and astute legislator in the Delta State House of Assembly to his triumphant journey to the Nigeria House of Representatives where his prominent presence and fingerprint has entrenched a distinct mark of excellence, brilliance and undeniable enduring legacy. The combined forces of grace, humility, character, service, humanity and leadership in bill process, oversight, representation and constituency related responsibilities, earned him the famous substantive nomenclature of ‘Legislative Maestro, Senior Advocates of the Masses, Man of God, Jewel of the 8th House of Representatives, Bill Process Machine, Empowerment Pathfinder , Empowerment Master and the bridge builder.
Rt. Hon. Ossai is a scion of socialist democracy, a school of politics, he has so far represented with impressive record of achievements, as a spirited public servant leader devoted to the welfare of the people and national development. Armed with the fact that democracy must work for everybody, he is always on the side of pro-poor policy agenda for development.
Hon. Ossai’s uncommon selfless concern for the well-being of others and his compelling commitment to deploying legislative tools towards addressing pro-poor issues as a leadership principle, opens new vista of modern political philosophy otherwise known as ‘Ossaism’, a political model which epitomizes people cantered development, emphasizes education and human capital development as central to progressive democratic governance and accountability as a function of government’s sincerity to the governed and honesty and trust the fulcre ( Catalan word translated as fulcrum in English) of leadership.
The Ossaism political philosophy have characterized Hon. Ossai’s inspiration and motivation in carrying out the duties of his office with honesty, integrity, grace, excellence and accountability; all in the spirit of ‘Ossaism’. The result of his quality representation and continued noble deeds in the hallow chamber of the House of Representatives on behalf of the enterprising people of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency resonates not just with his grateful constituents but among his esteemed colleagues. This testament has elevated his accomplishments in the minds of his constituents, casting him in the mould of a visionary leader and hence his huge popularity, support and followership.
The nucleus of my contemplation above were a reflective on the personality and candour of a rare gem and a man who against hope believed in hope that impossibility is only for the undetermined. A man whose humanity, humility, compassion, legislative acumen, leadership and general political life is not just outstanding but has become a standard in many respects.
Thus the model of Ossaism referred to in this piece needs more attention than a mention. As epitomized by Rt. Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, political leadership and indeed any category of leadership, we must begin to lead with compassion, humanity, humility, accountability and sincerity of purpose. This is more because, ‘no man takes the true honour of leadership on himself; except it be given to him from above’.
Consequently, it has become very crucial at this moment of obvious ‘countryless’ in Nigeria and our earnest quest to attain nationhood, that we must with zest, embrace and enthrone ‘Ossaism’ in our national polity and draw courage, compassion and service above self that is inherent in the philosophy of ‘Ossaism’ to address our development gaps, nationalism and leadership question.
With over 44 bills to his credit, over 20 motions, quarterly empowerments that has impacted tens of thousands of his constituents, his dogged fight to ensure the appropriation of N1.209 billion in the budget for IPP Step-Down in Ndokwa land, provision of job opportunity to hundreds of his constituents, interventions through House Committee on Public petitions for his constituents who may have been unduly sacked from their jobs or mistreated or cheated in anyway, adjudged as the 2nd Honourable Member with the highest number of bills sponsored and many other projects that time and space won’t permit a mention here but, which will be duly chronicled in another piece for our delight. Hon. Dr. Ossai has indeed become a champion for democracy, a strong voice for the people of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency and an undeniable legislative Maestro.
As I watched the Rt. Hon. Speaker-Yakubu Dogara announce the birthday of this iconic leader at the commencement of legislative proceedings in the floor of the green chamber on Thursday November 2nd, 2017, I observed with deep touch, admiration and inspiration, how his colleagues heralded the notification of his birthday with excitement and thunderous ‘hailing’ that has truly elevated ‘Ossaism beyond an ideology to a ‘movement’. I observed the celebration of a patriotic Nigerian, a detribalized Nigerian, and celebration of humility, humanity, trust, character, leadership and indeed the love and respect for the people of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency. I surely, came to the obvious conclusion that Ndokwa/Ukwuani nation must be very proud of their ‘happening son’.
As we celebrate Rt. Hon. Dr. Ossai Nicholas Ossai at 54, we must take to heart the philosophy and spirit of ‘Ossaism’ and convince ourselves that indeed selfless and humane leadership is possible! As we search for quality political leadership through the ballot, we must do so in consideration of competence, inspiration, value, noble character, grace and ‘Ossaism’.
All Things Are Possible!
