High Johnson Ossai Opone
By Emmanuel Enebeli
It in the history of man, life throws a lot of punches at him, that strengthens him to stand for others, and the entire society. Because the society we live in is made up of characters, some persons had been placed to help others to stand up, walk and work to strengthen others.
The President-General of the Ndokwa Neku Union, NNU, High Chief Johnson Opone, a Chartered Accountant, Technocrat and Administrator, could be considered as one of the few that exists in Ndokwa. He is one with a heart of given, and one who understands the many of the people within his place of origin, are poor, and need assistants to make them grow to be independent.
Talking with me recently, without any sign that his birthday is coming up on April 18, 2020, he expressed his understanding of the communal lives of the Ndokwa people. A people who should come together to conquer the common abject of lack of development. You feel it in his voice, tone, despite that we, were miles apart talking over the phone. Discussing issues that will bring good to our people, most especially at this time the world is in a war. An invisible war with the Novel Coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Johnson Ossai Opone, an aspirant to be a governor of Delta State in 2015, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was one of the few technocrats from the private sector that aspired to succeed the then Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
As a chartered accountant who has been in practice for over 30 years, he superintended in major government corporations like the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), the National Universities Commission, NUC, the defunct OMPADEC, Nigeria Paper Mint, Jeba as well as Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill among others.
He did the projection at the Regency Towers, was involved in KFC Nigeria. Dabowl International. Just name it, he had also involved, in the steel industry and the aluminum industry.
Chief Johnson Opone, after the journey to be governor of the state and did not materialize at the end of the primary in 2015, pitched his tent with the then candidate of the PDP, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and had been close to the system of authourity, not for himself, but for the good of the people of Ndokwa.
According to him, in one of the interviews he granted the Vanguard Newspaper prior to the 2015 elections he said.
“I will give you an example. At my youthful age, I was in charge of the Cocoa Development Units in Ondo State. I was also in charge of AOA that designed Ife University, I audited them. So we are talking about somebody who has something to sell to our people. What do I have to sell to Nigerians? Wealth creation. And when you want to create wealth, I will give you a simple example. I told somebody, in Delta State, think what will happen to the aqua culture of fishing if government should go across the creeks where you have scattered ponds; artificial and man-made ponds, and then in each local government, put 10millions fingerlings and allow it 6months, the aqua culture of the people will increase.”
Yes, he talks and sleeps with wealth creation in his mind. That had been one of his wish for the Ndokwa people. As the President-General of the Ndokwa Nation, the number one citizen, any available opportunity, and confirmed real, is worthy for the Ndokwa nation. He is a man who loves good governance. And he understands what that means for the citizens, as they will be able to partake in economic activities.
“Good governance means when the citizens are able to partake in economic activities to earn their daily living. You talk about insecurity, what is the main root of it? When you see a young graduate after leaving university, five years, no good job and you will now see somebody advertising you need to have 10 years’ experience. The man first must find job before he can talk about 10 years’ experience. But the jobs are nowhere. How many people can government provide for?
At 63 years old, High Johnson Ossai Opone, still have high plans for his people. In the cause of our conversation, he wondered what else does he wants in this world, but to give back to the society. He is always unruffled, calm, calculated, radiate peace, and faith when he talks. Never a trace of arrogance.
As he celebrates we have to recall some of the birthday wishes he had received. Amongst is one from the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State house of Assembly, Rt. Hon Christopher Ochor Ochor, “My dear President-General, a man always with the interest of Ndokwa in all his activities, you had never blinked in the face of difficulty situation to move Ndokwa forward, you always have hope and faith that it will be better for our people in the future if we cooperate and work together. I, my family and my political followers celebrate your today, as you clock 63 years today Saturday, April 18, 2020.
From others as we can gather comes the following
“The only true and selfless leader of Ndokwa extraction. High Chief Johnson Ossai Opone.”
“The one who stands for others in their time of distress without looking back. You sure stand out my PG.”
“You are indeed a pacesetter and a shining example for our Ndokwa today and all time.”
“Your quest for God I pray should yield greater fruits and results for they that thirst after righteousness shall be filled.”
“Your dreams and aspirations will surely find expression in this present world and the world to come. That eternal place where you sure belong as believer in Christ.”
“Your seeds on earth will abide and blossom in the mighty name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.”
“Those who seek to hurt you will ultimately hurt themselves if they pay no hid to repentance and good reasoning.”
The heavens will shower you and all yours with unending blessings and eternal bliss.
“Let the earth release all its good lavishly on you and all yours and may God’s grace abound with you much more to contain all that may come your way while on this transient globe.”
“Receive the wisdom, mercy and favour to continue to travel on the path way of truth and love unequalled.”
Be strengthened in every way, in your outward and inner man. The Spirit of the most high will abound with you, to guide, guard and direct you always.
“My PG today I celebrate you and I say congratulations. Health, peace and divine protection is all yours now and always in Jesus Christ name.”
The above are some of the numerous wishes from some of his admirers as he celebrates today.
