A security professional and expert like no other.
A pioneer on many fronts
Ebullient in deportment
Knowledgeable in a Solomonic mould
Humble to a fault
Obliging at all times
Meticulous in delivery
Urbane with sartorial excellence.
He gave freely of himself in aid of fatherland
A Nigerian in sight and sound
A patriot of the rare kind.
He gave cheerfully of his resources to care
A friend indeed in needy times.
Was never tired of talking, teaching, discussing and hammering on security
He breathed it, sweat it, lived it, till the end.
When we listened to him, we won
When we dithered, we lost, dearly
A man of no mean stature, in intellect and build.
Honoured time, regarded schedules, respected deadline, kept to agreements .
Nurtured relationships, valued friendships, esteemed humanity.
A repository of knowledge
A suave registrar of security jargons
A doyen with global acclaim.
Beloved of newshounds
Sought after by cops and brass hats
Becoming a charismatic bridge of opposing divides.
Where will that body of knowledge go now!
Who will give those trenchant analyses now!
Who becomes the readily go-to when the news breaks of another breach now!
When will Transworld beget another faculty of Ona’s order now?
But we will remember, always
You played your part, most admirably
Ruled your world, most impactfully
Left a legacy, plainly unmatchable
Exited the scene, in a blaze of glory.
As you take your final bow in the affairs of men
We are pained in our hearts
As we are wont to do
For we are mortals who know only in part.
But we are left with a memory
Sweet is it like that of the just one.
To live in the hearts of those we love
is not to die
Rest on our Dr. Ona Ekhomu
Fare thee well!
Fare thee well!!
KANMI OLATOYE IS SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT (ELECTRONIC MEDIA) TO THE GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE
