Nigeria’s late security icon, Dr. Ona Ekhomu was on Sunday remembered by family, friends and associates as they marked his 5th memorial service of his passage.
Yesterday at Our Saviours Anglican Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos where the memorial service took place, the late Ekhomu’s friends and associates from different walks of live joined the family in thanking God for the good life he lived and the great impact he made in the lives of people who crossed paths with him.
In a sermon at the service, Venerable Bolajoko Osinupebi who took his text from Ephesians Chapter 4 vs 1 in the Holy Bible reminded Christians that people often watch, observe the attitudes of practicing Christians before listening to messages of repentance from such Christians who preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to them.
According to him, in many ways positive attitude of Christians can draw non-Christians closer to God just as negative attitude can also drive them away from God. Just like St. Paul appealed to the Ephesian Christian worshippers to show good example with their Christianity, The Venerable has also appealed to Nigerian practicing Christians to allow their attitude to reflect Godliness at all times.
Borrowing from the position of the Biblical Paul, Ven. Osinupebi admonished Christians to always walk in love as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for humanity.
Later after the church service, in a reception at the Ajah residence of the late Dr. Ona Ekhomu’s family, many distinguished personalities extolled his virtues which were reminiscent of the day’s sermon as Ekhomu in his life time lived for humanity. His positive attitude to humanity was quite manifest.
According to The Ojomo of Ekpoma and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Kohi Engineering Limited, Lagos, Chief (Dr.) Ezekiel Ainabe “even though we cannot keep mourning Ona Ekhomu, we would keep remembering him for his good works to humanity. Ona was a wonderful man. He was intelligent from his early school days and did well in every facet of life.”
He thanked Late Ona’s wife, Chief Victoria Ekhomu for stepping into her husband’s shoes by ensuring that his children are united and the legacies he left behind in the society are still upheld.
A former Assistant Director with the Department of State Service (DSS) who later worked and retired from Shell Petroleum, Prince Matthew Ahianba described Ona Ekhomu as a man who was quite committed to anything that had to do with commercial security and showed passion for security generally.
“Over the years, I found out that Ona was ready to take anything security to a higher level in Nigeria. As a professional, he delivered many valuable lectures at different fora across the length and breadth of Nigeria.”
One of the late Ona Ekhomu’s long time friends; Dr. Phil Ofulue who was also present with his wife at the event has this to say: “Dr. Ona was a very good friend for many years. The highpoint of our relationship is that both of us have been worshippers at Our Saviours Church, TBS. The relationship moved from there to business and social levels and even to family such that our spouses and children relate very well.
“Ona was a very good fellow. He was an astute professional in his chosen field of security even to national and global levels. His exit was unexpected and devastating in many ways. We miss him but we know he is in heaven because he was a very good and lovable person who affected humanity in many positive ways.”
For Buduka J. Addey, the host of PSKorner (The Private Security Corner), Ona was “a well respected security professional, a pioneer of sort and a great teacher in the industry. He was a man who helped to shape the private security in Nigeria.”
The PSKorner boss noted that even though Dr. Ekhomu passed on five years ago, his influence still resonate with the people he mentored including herself. “I was one of those who started security business in our little corner without knowing so much but coming in contact with him, Ona took keen interest in me.”
Speaking about the late Ekhomu also, the Chief Executive Officer of Dbreeze Protection Services Limited, Dr. Dickson Osajie said: Dr. Ona Ekhomu was a distinguished security professional, mentor, teacher and inspiration whose contributions greatly advanced professionalism and security knowledge.
“His wisdom, mentorship, scholarship and commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on many practitioners including me. Though he has departed, his legacy lives on through the professionals he mentored, the knowledge he shared, and the institutions he strengthened.”
Many other speakers spoke about Ona in glowing terms as he impacted positively on many lives irrespective of tribal, social status or religious persuasion.
One of the highlights of yesterday 5th Memorial Service was the presentation of a post-humous award of excellence to the late security icon by an non-governmental organization known as NAIJA POLICE & U.
The award plaque was presented on behalf of the NGO by Dr. Ainabe and received by Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Ekhomu and her children.
Responding to the presentation, Mrs. Ekhomu expressed deep appreciation to the NGO for recognizing her husband’s great contributions to security generally. As the NAIJA POLICE & U is founded primarily to promote the welfare needs of Police personnel and their families, Mrs. Ekhomu pledged N500,000 assistance the NGO. Dr. Ezekiel Ainabe also pledged N200, 000 assistance.
The memorial service was quite a colourful one. The reception at the Ekhomu’s residence was also top notch as there was enough to entertain the guests.
