An Abuja based legal icon and Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Chief James Ogu Onoja has lost his father-in-law, Pa Emmanuel Idoga Negedu.
Pa Negedu, a graduate of the University of Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, an indigene of Kogi State, Justice of Peace and Knight of St Muluba Nigeria (K.S.M) of the Catholic Church passed on to glory on November 13, 2022 in Abuja and would be committed to mother earth on December 22 at Knight Emmanuel Negedu residence, Adum road, Ogugu.
A statement by the family of the deceased indicated that Pa Negedu was born into the family of Negedu Eha alias Inedu Ekere of Adum Ogugu in the present Olamaboro Local Government Area about the year 1942.
Though his biological mother was Oleme, the woman he regarded as his mother was Anabo, Oleme’s elder sister. Mama Anabo and his late senior brother Baba Negedu raised him and made him into what he eventually became.
He reportedly had his early education in the Christian Religious Studies at Adum – Ogugu about the year 1949.
The studies in the Christian Religious class was mostly in Igala and was obvious that it was while he was C.R.I that the seeds of learning and scholarship for which baba showed a lifelong commitment to were sown and nurtured.
He read standard 1 in 1951 at Adum – Ogugu. In 1952, he went to Native Authority School (N.A) at Ikem – Ogugu where he read standards 2, 3 and 4.
In 1955, Baba left Ikem – Ogugu to R.C.M Senior Primary School Anyigba. In 1956, he was taken to Akpanya by one Rev. Father Nicole, a Canadian Catholic Priest to continue his primary education.
He obtained his First School Leaving Certificate from Akpanya in 1957. He then proceeded to the famous Our Lady of Schools Teachers Training College, Anyigba in 1958.
He obtained his Teacher’s grade three certificate in 1960. He returned to the same school from 1968 – 1969 for his Teachers Grade II Certificate.
Between 1970 to 1974, he was said to have home studies for G.C.E, ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels. As a testament to his studiousness he passed two papers at each level within the period.
In 1974, he made significant stride towards bettering his educational qualifications when he applied for and was admitted to the University of Ibadan to read for a two years diploma course in Adult Education and Community Development.
He was awarded the Diploma Certificate in 1976. Still relentless in his quest for knowledge and self- development, in October 1976, he got admission to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria to read for a degree in political science. he graduated from A.B.U in 1979.
Though over 30 years of age then, due to scrapping of age limit, he was compelled to participate in the National Youth Service Scheme NYSC and he served at Mubi Local Government in the defunct Gongola State (now Adamawa State) as an Assistant Secretary to the Local Government.
He attended U.K Assisted Course for Primary School Teachers in Nigeria at Ilorin in 1966. He attended an in-house training on rural reporting for journalist at Makurdi in 1980.
He also attended Rural Development Management Course at Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Badagry, Lagos in 1988 and a seminar on Community Banks Management in Nigeria at Minna, Niger State in 2003.
Pa Negedu was said to be a dedicated public servant who embraced his responsibilities with a high sense duty, discipline and remarkable passion.
He started off as a teacher and that stood him in good stead throughout his life as he carried with him the characteristic positive qualities of a good teacher as he was known to be a stickler for detail and procedure.
He was also punctual and served as primary school teacher from 1961 – 1974. During the period, he got married to late Mrs Loretta Titi Amego on December 13th 1969. The marriage is blessed with six living children and many grand children.
He was an Assistant Adult Education Officer at Dekina in 1976. He also served as an Assistant Secretary to Mubi Local Government from 1979 – 1980. Employed by Benue State Government as Community Development Inspector Grade 1 in 1980, he rose through the ranks of the profession from 1980 – 1993 to be a Deputy Director Rural Development.
During this period, he was the officer in charge of the Community Development activities in Igala Land in 1981 -1984. He also served as the Officer in charge of the Community Development activities in Idoma Land in 1985.
He was the Officer in charge of Development Communications Unit, a radio programme at the Headquarters, Makurdi, 1985 – 1989.
Pa Negedu retired from Kogi State Civil Service in September 1993. In recognition of his contributions and his resourcefulness as a public servant he was appointed by the Kogi State Government as one of the pioneer permanent members of Kogi State Primary Education Board in 1994.
He was subsequently appointed Director Ogugu Community Bank Limited, Chairman Board of Governors, Emomoka Community Secondary Adum – Ogugu.
All through his life, he was an outstanding community leader, well known for pioneering and organizing several community development initiatives.
He was elected Chairman Nigeria Union of Pensioner, Olamaboro Local Government Chapter 2000. He was appointed as Secretary to Olamboro Local Government in 2001. Elected into the State Executive Council of Nigeria Union of Pensioner (NUP) as a trustee in 2011.
He was also the Chairman of Adum Road New Map Community Association from 2017 till the date of his passing on to eternal glory on 13th November 2022.
As a committed catholic, he fulfilled a life long ambition when he was initiated into the knighthood St. Muluba Nigeria (K.S.M) of the Catholic Church in 1993.
In December, 2019 he enjoyed the favour of God to perform Holy Pilgrimage to the Holyland (Isreal) where he was conferred with the title of Justice of Peace.
He lived a godly life based on principles that endeared him to his family, friends and community and as a loving father and doting grandfather, he is survived by six children and fifteen grandchildren.
