AMBASSADOR CHIKA JIMMY ORAMAH: A GOOD AMBASSADOR SENT ON A RESCUE MISSION

One wet Tuesday morning in June 2022, precisely Tuesday, June 21, 2022, I had returned home from morning Mass at Regina Pacis Catholic Church, Sangotedo to a life of reality and as I laid down on the couch, many things bothered my poor mind.

?

My poor mind was bothered about the many challenges facing our dear country especially the energy and fuel crisis that has bedevilled her for decades as fuel queues had returned to our Fuelling Stations again and with it, absolute hardship for the citizenry because of the sheer number of passengers that I saw at the Olokonla bus stop on my way home.

?

On the other hand, I thought about the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), where our first daughter, Miss Theresa Oshiothenoya Osabomeh has lost two (2) years in her four (4) years degree programme at the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.

?

With these thoughts, I was particularly disturbed when my friend and neighbour, Mr Donald Chino Nweze informed me that he got to the Office at Lekki Phase 1 at about 08:30am even though he left home as early as 05:00am for a journey that is usually under forty (40) minutes because of the total traffic gridlock from the Jubilee Bridge, Ajah to Victoria Garden City (VGC).

?

In fact, he said that by 07:00am, they have not crossed over at the traffic light at Victoria Garden City (VGC) because of queues for fuel. That was more than two (2) hours after they had left!

?

Terrible!

?

Even though that I did not go pass the Ajah bus stop that morning, this piece of news saddened me greatly and forgetting that I had even went for Confession that morning after Mass, I was completely, momentarily incensed, incensed about the various leadership failures in our country and I was in this state of mind when I received a chat from him that simply says: ‘a very good morning to you my dear St Mark. Please forward to me your bank details. Have a blessed day.’

?

And I responded.

?

Truly, I have received gifts severally. I have given gifts myself variously. I have seen gifts, good gifts given all my life. I have been given gifts of different sizes, brands, amounts, etc and while every gift received cannot be compared to the other, there are some gifts that one would receive that one can never be able to describe or equate because of the circumstances surrounding it.

?

The gift that I received from Ambassador Chika Jimmy Oramah on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 falls into this category, this special category because it was simply a special gift because of the special thoughts behind it.

?

It was a special gift because earlier that morning, my dearest wife, Mrs Racheal Osabomeh (Nee Enaruna) had informed me that there was no foodstuffs, particularly rice at home, not even a single grain at home and with the everyday rising costs of foodstuffs in the country, I had reluctantly given her the only N10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) that I had for us to buy a half bag of rice that could last us for a while, but with a promise that I would make up the balance of N6,000.00 (Six Thousand Naira) or so subsequently, but how I shall fulfil that solemn promise or where I got that confidence from to make such a hefty promise, was a mystery to me, yet I made it, but little did I know that God as He always do, was sending an Ambassador on a rescue mission to us to be an angel to rescue us, to become our present day saviour.

?

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, he was the Ambassador sent by God on a ‘rescue mission’ to us and he went generously!

?

And he did willingly and truly and this is what made that gift special because by the time that I received the alert, I had to put on my reading glasses to ensure that I was seeing clearly and after confirming the amount, this conversation ensued between us:

?

Me:????Sir, I just received an alert from you. What is it for Sir?

?

Ambassador Oramah:??My dear St Mark, to thank you for your friendship and for being who you are. Blessings abound, my dear young friend.

?

Me:??Hmmmmmmm. I do not deserve this. I have sent the account details before I realized that I should not have because at this stage, you deserve more from us, your children and not the other way round, but sadly, I personally cannot afford to be of any meaningful help to you presently.

?

I am touched and I am grateful. I pray that one day God will bless me with the wisdom and courage to tell this beautiful story, the true story of your simplicity and humility. God bless you Sir.

?

Sincerely, I had responded to the request before I realized it, perhaps, it was the state of mind that I was that morning that confused me or quicken my thoughts to respond because I was truly in need.

?

Sincerely, there are moments in our lives when we come to the stark realization that without help, we cannot move further and Tuesday, June 21, 2022 was one of such moments and Ambassador Chika Jimmy Oramah came to rescue us even without prompting.

?

On Saturday, April 05, 2008, we relocated from Ketu to the Olokonla axis of Ajah and our beautiful acquaintances began when we started attending Mass at the Catholic Church of the Annunciation, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah, Lagos, but more when I joined the Board of Church Warden (BOCW) in April 2013 and he joined us in January 2015 where his simplicity and humility and willingness to serve were top notch and since then, we have maintained a strong and friendly relationship built on mutual respect and brotherly love as I have continued to draw from his wealth of wisdom and experiences as he has continued to see me as a trusted young man.

?

Secondly, I served as a two-term Financial Secretary of the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Catholic Church of the Annunciation, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah – Lagos from Sunday, May 20, 2012 to Sunday, October 01, 2017 and his beloved and beautiful wife, the late Ezinne Kwelie, Mrs Christine Obiageli Oramah (Nee Aboh) was our member.

?

In this relationship, my closeness with the family became noticeable as Ambassador Oramah would always wait for his dearly beloved wife for the Association’s monthly meeting to end which was always after the 10:00am before going home, peacefully and in this habit, he taught me the virtue of patience.

?

With gratitude, I recall that when our Mama, the late Ezinne Kwelie, Mrs Christine Obiageli Oramah (Nee Aboh), his beloved and beautiful wife passed on peacefully in her sleep without any sign of ill-health in the early hours of Tuesday, December 11, 2018, I was among the first persons to be contacted by the family, not because I was then serving both as the Financial Secretary of the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary where Mama was a member and Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), Catholic Church of the Annunciation, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah, but because of my closeness with the family where Ambassador Oramah has taken me to be his own son.

?

Gratefully, I was the one that the family could assigned the responsibility of producing the 10x12 frames needed for display at the residence for the purposes of Condolence Visit and Register.

?

And even when there seems to be a little misunderstanding between us and the Photographer/Printer, in his simplicity, even while mourning his late wife, Ambassador Oramah was able to resolve this issue simply and amicably.

?

He is a true Diplomat!

?

Severally, he has taught me the greatest lessons in simplicity and humility.

?

Similarly, when my dearest and beautiful sister, Jacinta Enuma Oramah performed her traditional wedding on Saturday, May 19, 2018, I had the blessing of the family and rare privilege to cover this worthy traditional ceremony with my Canon Power Shot SX10IS camera and I can never forget such an honour because it was an honour given in trust and confidence, but more than this, it was an honour that could only have come from the good heart of Ambassador Oramah.

?

That was such a thrilling experience for me because as immature and unprofessional that my fingers are in clicking the shutter of my camera; the family could entrust such a sensitive assignment to me.

?

I will forever be grateful for such a trust and confidence!

?

Ambassador Oramah is a prime exemplar of the virtue of hospitality.

?

I recall with gratitude every time that I pay a visit to him at his Plot 12, Paradise Estate residence, Ogombo Road, Ajah, I am always warmly received and welcomed. Apart from our healthy conversations boarding on various topics, national and topical, I am always well served fresh garden eggs and groundnuts, one of the delicacies of Ambassador Oramah as if he owns a garden for it.

?

This traditional ritual of serving fresh garden eggs and groundnuts to me and perhaps, all his visitors, is so close to the heart of Ambassador Oramah. He holds it, almost as a sacred tradition.

?

Truly, he cherishes my visitations and company. Recently, he said to me in one of our chats on Saturday, September 12, 2020 ‘Thank you very much my dear St Mark. Truly grateful for the visit yesterday. Have a glorious day with your family.’

?

Prior to this, on my April 2020 birthday, he said, while wishing me a happy birthday on Sunday, April 12, 2020 ‘Happy birthday once again my dear Mark, the quintessential wordsmith and Journalist. Hallelujah and praises to the Most High. You are a gem of inestimable value among rubies. May your days be long in peace, health, and splendour. May heaven visit you in grand style. AD MULTOS ANOS.’

?

These are the true and sincere words that Ambassador Oramah has continued to address me, kind words that I am not worthy of. Truly ‘kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless’ and the echoes of the kind words of Ambassador Oramah to me have continued to be endless.

?

And I am grateful.

?

On Friday, September 21, 2018, I wrote an article ‘What Story Do You Tell?’ In writing it, I made a reference to him, for his simplicity and humility, but I needed his permission before publishing it, hence I sent him a request on WhatsApp on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 and in his usual simplicity and humility, he responded instantly ‘St Mark, thank you for a beautiful piece. Please feel free to publish it. I will not sue you for libel. Good afternoon.’

?

This is the kind of relationship, simple and true that I have continued to enjoy from and with Ambassador Chika Jimmy Oramah because he is a willing Ambassador sent on a rescue mission and I am grateful to God that our paths crossed at the Catholic Church of the Annunciation, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah – Lagos.

?

He is a man of candour. He is a man of simplicity and humility. He is a man of kindness and gentleness. He is a man of compassion and love.

?

Sincerely, the thrust of that article was to emphasise the need for us to always tell only good stories, positive stories that would inspire us and others to act positively and this was why I referenced him in the article because at the Catholic Church of the Annunciation, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah, he sets himself as an example for us to follow, exemplifying those virtues that our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ stands for.

?

Sincerely, in writing ‘What Stories Do You Tell?,’ I sought and got his permission to publish it since I referenced him in the story and I can never forget such a honour because recently, precisely at about 03:17pm on Monday, May 16, 2022, I received the following email from one Jembo MilaJ Hillman with an email address as [email protected] who had read the story on LinkedIn, requesting that I should give her the contact details of Ambassador Oramah.

?

‘Hi Mark, I found an article that you wrote that included the name of Ambassador Oramah. Do you have a contact for him? I would like to speak with him and hear his story as well. It all seems very interesting as I know someone who may know him in the States’ Regards Jembo.

?

Initially, I had thought that it was one of those phishing emails, hence I ignored it, but on a second thought, I decided to inform Ambassador Oramah about it and the response that I got as usual, completely overwhelmed me because I would have denied him a chance to reunite with his ‘own daughter’ if I had ignored that request or better still, deleted it because he said to me later on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, ‘my very dear young friend, good morning. Immense thanks for the fantastic favour of yesterday. Milla J. Hillman is my very own daughter who I last saw very late in December of 1984 when she was one year and a half old. Thank you again and again.’

?

In his usual simplicity and humility (humbleness), he gave me permission to give the Inquirer his contact details and this brought great joy to him.

?

Sincerely speaking, Ambassador Oramah is a man of simple lifestyle.

?

Fondly, he calls me his ‘young friend,’ but more than this, he calls me ‘St Mark’ convincingly.

?

To ascribe that title to me and continued to call me by it so fondly and admirably while I am still alive and full of shortcomings, is not only encouraging and inspiring, but humbly.

?

Now, in the Catholic Faith, while Saints were ordinary people that lived their lives in extraordinary ways, the beautiful stories of their lives have continued to inspire people, young men, and women to live their own ordinary lives in extraordinary ways by displaying the virtues of simplicity, humility, and service.

?

However, I am yet to see anything extraordinary about my life in the above sphere that suggest that I am on the right track to be qualified as a Saint, not to even talk of a living Saint.

?

Yet, he fondly calls me St Mark, reconfirming that adage that ‘what others see in us, we do not see in ourselves.’

?

He found me to be hardworking, brilliant, organised, and smart. This is what Ambassador Oramah sees in me and I am grateful.

?

In truth, his admiration for me is not superficial, but massive and fundamental, fundamental because he calls me his son, proudly.

?

Ours is a true relationship of love and friendship. Ours is a true relationship of a son with that of a good father. Ours is truly a relationship of trust and confidence in the other.

?

One other point that needs to be made about Ambassador Oramah, is that he is a complete humble man.

?

Truly speaking, Ambassador Oramah is a man of many parts. He is a diligent and dedicated Nigerian. Looking closely at his very impressive profile, he served his fatherland conscientiously in diplomatic assignments in many Nations of the world with diligence and dedication where he displayed and showed his talents, expertise, and experience.

?

From the Embassy of Nigeria in Cotonou, Republic of Benin to the Republic of the Congo, he served humanity admirably. From the Republics of Portugal and Belgium, he was excellent in his service to man, nations, and God. And from the United States of America and the Embassy of Nigeria in Warsaw, Poland, with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Hungary, Ambassador Oramah was exceptional in his services to humanity.

?

Yet, he is very humble.

?

For instance, on Saturday, June 25, 2022, I decided, after a long time, to pay him a surprised visit, but when I got his Plot 12, Paradise Estate residence, Ogombo Road, Ajah, he was not at home as he had gone for one of his three physiotherapy sessions a week at the hospital and he felt so bad that I did not pre-informed him of my coming and sent this chat:

?

‘My dear brother, I lack words with which to thank you for the surprised gift. I have asked my children to boil some of the fresh corn (maize) for me to use as dinner when I get home. I go to Evercare Hospital, Lekki for physiotherapy thrice a week. If you had informed me that you were coming to see me, I would have postponed today’s session. I thank you very much Mark. Rest assured that I value, appreciate, and cherish our friendship. Best wishes to your beloved family.’

?

If the above is not pure humility, nothing will again. Besides, he even calls and address me as a ‘brother,’ even when I am a son to him.

?

These are the beautiful lessons of humility that I have continued to learn and enjoyed from Ambassador Oramah.

?

And I am very privileged and grateful.

?

On Monday, December 17, 2018, preparatory to the burial ceremony of our mother, the wife of his youth, Ezinne Kwelie, Mrs Christine Obiageli Oramah (Nee Aboh), I missed his calls on WhatsApp severally, but I was humbled when I got this chat from him ‘Good afternoon, Mark. Please be kind enough to get in touch with me. It is rather urgent,’ but when I finally did, I was further humbled when he said ‘no worries. I wanted to know if you have some of my late wife’s pictures which could be used for the funeral brochure entries which will close tomorrow.’

?

Truly, from verified available records, Ambassador Oramah was a distinguished Diplomat who served men, nations, and God both at home and abroad with intellectual prowess. He was disciplined, consistent and resilient.

?

Yet, he is so humble and simple. In fact, in ‘What Story Do You Tell? he said to me ‘Mark my son, if I had served Nigeria now in that capacity, I won’t be sitting on the same pew and doing the work of Church Warden with you’ when I engaged him in a discussion if he ever served the country in that higher capacity as a Diplomat/Ambassador to a country like the USA without any material presence with him.

?

This response was humbly for me again and the message of his response still has value in our society today because its relevance is atemporal and aspatial.

?

Live in simplicity, humility, and dignity.

?

Ambassador Chika Jimmy Oramah served his country with simplicity, humility, and dignity, hence I could share the same pew with him at the Catholic Church of the Annunciation, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah – Lagos without the presence of security men, preventing others to reach him because he served with dignity, he served well.?

?

He was born to serve well!

?

Ambassador Oramah is a true African family man. He takes delight in his family and other families where his words of encouragement for me and my family have been exquisitely kind. Proudly, he calls himself ‘Grapilo’ and he is always so happy in the company of one of his grandsons, Master Kasiemobi ‘Kasie’ Hilary Oramah.

?

Kasiemobi ‘comfort me’ has truly been a comfort for Ambassador Oramah at his old age, hence he is always very fond of his grandson.

?

Life is truly about experience!

?

As an older friend, in fact, a father, he has not failed for one single day, but has consistently sent me an early morning prayer to start my day, a worthy trait that I have, as a much younger person, continued to struggle to follow with my friends, family and associates.

?

He has continued to sow the right seeds in me, and I am grateful, truly grateful, grateful to Ambassador Oramah for his fatherly role in my life.

?

Thank you for being a God’s channel of mercy in my life.

?

In his ‘Great Strides of Johncay @70,’ Engr (Maj) Johncay Ihejieto, while celebrating his seventy (70) years birthday on Monday, September 18, 2017, had stated very clearly ‘a man’s embodiment is a sum of what he thinks of himself, what he thinks others think of him, and what others think of him. Tributes is one sure way of knowing what others think of you. People do not often get to read about their tributes because common conventional practice has unwittingly reserved tributes for the dead, thus denying the living the opportunity to relish the acclamation of his goodness.’

?

In this, I am grateful to God that I am alive on this day to witness your seventy-six (76) years birthday, but more than this, that I can write this tribute for you, though inadequate, for you to be able to read it and realize how much positive influence that you have brought into the lives of many and continuing to bring into their lives by your simplicity, humility, and kindness.

?

Thank you for your gift of gentleness.

?

So, on this day, Wednesday, December 28, 2022 that you celebrate your Year 2022 Birthday, I wish you a most memorable seventy-six (76) years birthday in continued good health of mind and body. May you always be surrounded by and with the affection of your family and friends, especially at your last hour on earth.

?

Truly, ‘seventy, according to Psalms 90:10, is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong.’ Your seventy-six (76) years birthday on this day, Wednesday, December 28, 2022 has shown that you are strong and even as you marched on, graciously to your eightieth birthday, it is our prayers on this day and always, that the Lord of good health, will continue to grant unto you, good health of mind and body. On this day and always, we call on the intercession of our Mother Mary, the Health of the sick to continue to hold you in her maternal love.

?

On this day of the Feast of the Holy Innocents, have a glorious seventy-six (76) years birthday celebration our dearest Ambassador Chika Jimmy Oramah. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being the willing Ambassador sent on a mission to rescue us, not only on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, but always.

?

We love you Sir. God bless you Sir, our good Ambassador.

?

Happy Birthday! Ad Multos Anos the Great Ambassador!

?

Na me

Your son and young friend

Mark Osabomeh (St Mark)

?

?

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

The Feast of the Holy Innocents