CELEBRATING A GENERAL IN JUSTICE ODIGIE-OSAGIE*

Wisdom does not come with age or face, but through grace, one attains an enviable position ordained by a God who orchestrates events and orders our steps. A general is referred to as one whose story is seen in his followers and told by those who have associated with him in one way or the other; either at the battlefield or off the battlefield. Osagie Odigie happens to be a general in the Lord’s Army I would never forget in a hurry. He is an orator, a mobilizer, a teacher, a mentor, a pathfinder, a counselor, a president, a youth leader, a brother, a father, a general and every good thing one can imagine.

Age they say is a number, but I will never forget how responsibility was entrusted to me by the Osagie Odigie led administration of the Pages of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Benin City, Edo State. He had a formidable team which comprises of Frank Olague, Martins Edomwonyi, Fidelis Abebe, Anthony Ogbewere, Tony Eruanga, Oghogho Uzzi, Charles Oghene, Stephanie Idokpesi, Engr. Sunny Michael, Joefred Amago and others too numerous to mention.

On this auspicious moment when we celebrate a man who was born some decades ago, I have no option but to sing a good to a general which I have entitled, “To the General, We know”

To a man who gave his best
Not knowing that memories keep records
To a man who wanted in us, the best
Not knowing that future leaders keep records

To a general who speaks optimism without fear
Giving reasons why a failure is never an option
To a general who would never shed a tear
And refuse to listen to a negative opinion

To the general, we know
Who told us tale of dedication and service devoid of pleasure
To the general who knows the show
And have the skills to overcome every of life’s fissure

I speak of your story in this season
Knowing that your greatness runs in us
I speak of you in every quarter out of season
Knowing that your strength to carry on moved us.

To the general, we know
To the general who knows the show.

Opia-Enwemuche Maxwell Onyemaechi 
©25-10-2017

* JUSTICE ODIGIE-OSAGIE was the second president of the Pages of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benin City, Edo State who succeeded Mr. Joefred Amago.