On behalf of myself, my dear wife, Rosemary Onoja, nee Negedu, who is a co-founder of Deacon Job and Mrs Omada Onoja Foundation, (DJMOOF), the Chairman and members of DJMOOF, I humbly welcome you all to the Commissioning of a furnished block of three class rooms built by Deacon Job and Mrs Omada Onoja Foundation to honour my beloved wife, her family and her beloved community of Adumu in Ogugu, Kogi State.
The Foundation, abbreviated as “DJMOOF”, is a non-political platform jointly envisioned with my wife, Rosemary in honour and memory of my late parents to assist the indigents in our communities. Consequently, in furtherance of the objectives of this foundation, we have over the years jointly invested our God-given resources to ameliorate the lives of those deserving of our little assistance in the areas of scholarships for students of tertiary institutions, payments of school fees, NECO registration fees, boreholes, road repairs, sporting activities, amongst others. ADUMU FOOTBALL TEAM is also a registered participant in the annual Unyi Ogugu Football Tournament. I must confess today that me and my wife, while watching the game from London, secretly prayed and supported Adumu Team during the last tournaments, but Ofante won the championship. God in his mercy has made many of these projects possible in his own times and seasons without any donation from government, individuals or organizations.
It is glaringly obvious from the circumstances of this moment that everything here today is founded on LOVE – the Love of God which keeps us alive to witness this day, my love for my wife, Rosemary and our mutual love for this community which has elicited the little sacrifice leading to the realization of this project. While Ogugu people are all related by blood, I am a proud and special son of Adumu London by virtue of LOVE, that is, my marriage to Rosemary 24 years ago, precisely on the 31st March, 1997. I am here because my heart is planted here. It is in honour of my beloved wife, Rosemary, who is incidentally the Co-Founder of this foundation, and my five lovely children who are also proud indigenes of this growing and very enterprising community, that this project was initiated, nutured, completed and to be commissioned today. My wife, Rosemary, whom I fondly refer to as “ROSES”, has been more than a wife to me, she is a sister, mother and confidant and God has made her a pillar for my success and survival in life. I wonder what would my life have been without her love. As a very restless person, My Roses has been very supportive of my risky and countless endeavours in my family, professional and Communal activities. Today in Adumu it is about Rosemary, her family and her beloved Community.
While I thank God Almighty for this day, I must not fail to thank my in-laws, Mr. Emmanuel Idoga Negedu, KSM, JP and his wife Late Mrs Lauretta Negedu, for believing in me and entrusting the lives of their daughter and their grandchildren in my care. My special thanks to Mr. and Mrs Micheal Ekele for their kindness to my family.
I thank the Board and the Executives of Adumu Development Association under the able leadership of the National President, Deacon Emmanuel Ochedi for giving the foundation the rare privilege and opportunity to make a modest contribution to your growing Community. Please accept this project as my appreciation to your community and may you continue to pray for us as your kits and keens.
The money spent to actualize this project will mean nothing compared to the sacrifices of those who diligently applied them to achieve the positive results witnessed here today. I cannot therefore, conclude this speech without putting on record for posterity the tireless efforts of the members of the Implementation Committee of this Foundation under the able Chairmanship of Dr. Daniel Itodo. The members of the Committee comprising men and women of integrity and capacity, laboured day and night travelling from all over the country to and from Adumu to ensure the completion of this project. You have done it again. May God reward you in GOLD AND CAPITAL LETTERS.
This project is a testimony of your dedication and love for humanity. Also of memorable note are those individuals from this community who welcomed the members of the implementation Committee and workers to town and made heavy sacrifices for this project. The Committee has graciously recommended to the Board that these honest and hardworking individuals be conferred with DJMOOF COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS. The first person on the list is my capable father in law and father, Emmanuel Idoga Negedu, KSM, JP who made sure this project was delivered on time and to his very high taste. The second is Chief James Omami Adams (A.K.A. Egbamatigbi) who, despite his status, volunteered to be the security man and slept at the site day and night to protect construction materials and equipment. The third is our mama, Mrs Angelina Audu Agada (A.K.A. Iyeebi, Iyeomomoka-Ogbeele). This woman gave the project her 4,000 liters Geepee tank free of charge thereby saving the project N1,000 on daily basis. To the awardees, I say congratulations and may you receive the final awards in heaven. Amen.
My kindest appreciation to all my brothers and sisters from Ofante led by my Paramount Ruler Paul Ibrahim Idenyi, the Kpareko of Ofante and my senior brother, Prince Sunday Onoja, JP, and all guests present today. May God bless you all.
Thank you all for coming and God bless you all as you go safely to your various destinations.
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