KOGI 2019: EDWARD ONOJA – THE AARON THAT WOULD HOLD THE HAND OF MOSES IN KOGI STATE.

Bello & Onoja.

The story of the relationship between the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 16^th Governorship election in Kogi State, Alhaji Yayaha Bello and his Deputy Governorship candidate, Edward Onoja is like the relationship between twin brothers from same parents, with the usual brotherly love, affection, the brotherly fights and then, the ONENESS of heart and purpose to achieve a particular aim, and this time, A NEW KOGI STATE.

Edward Onoja to Yahaya Bello is like the Biblical AARON, as captured in Exodus chapter 17, specifically reading from verses 10 to 12 which states: “So Joshua did as Moses told him. And fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12., But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other hand; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13., So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Born to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Amodu Onoja on the 9th August, 1974, Edward Onoja hails from Odidoko-Emonyoku in Ogugu district of Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. 

He started his academic voyage in Army Children School 3 in Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos and completed his primary education in Wasimi Community Primary School, Ikeja Lagos. From primary 5 to 6 in Wasinmi, Edward was taught by Mr. Israel Agbenyo, an Igala man who hails from Igalamela/Odolu LG. While in Primary 5, Mr. Agbenyo recommended to Edward's parents via a written note that he writes the Unity School's exam consequent upon his intellectual proficiency. His parents acceded and he wrote, passed his exams and interview which stampeded him to Federal Government College, Kwali, Abuja, FCT in 1985. Mr. Israel Agbenyo is still very much alive and can be reached on 08033970728.

Edward Onoja, all through his days in primary school never took a second position, in other words, he was second to none as he maintained 1st positions all through Primary 1 to 6. At the end of his primary education, he took an overall first position in the school. He proceeded to FGC, Kwali Abuja at the age of 11. As a young chap with an intimidating intellectual prowess, Edward graduated from FGC Kwali with an exceptional result of 5 Distinctions and 3 Credits in 1991. Proceeded to University of Jos to study Geology and Mining and graduated with a Second Class Upper division in 1999. He was top among the few best graduating students in his set.

Young, ebullient and highly innovative, Edward David Onoja is an extraordinarily selfless, admirably humble, gentle, soft-spoken, self-effacing, diligent, circumspect, shrewd and generous man whose rise to limelight came as a result of hardwork, diligence and dedication to duty. A rising northern star who is solid, calm and unflappable.

Edward Onoja was an active member of the National Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS). He was a member, American Association of Petroleum Geologists and also, was student representative for the Society of Exploration Geophysics (SEG).

Available records of him reveals that he singlehandedly installed the first Student Union (SUG) President from the Faculty of Natural Sciences in the history and annals of the University of Jos which is considered very superlative till date. The name of the SUG president is Hosea Onuche, an Igala chap from Ankpa Local Government Area.

Edward Onoja was the pioneer President of Natural Science Students Association (NASSA) University of Jos Chapter. He was Hosea Onuche's Campaign Director who took him round the school canvassing for him to win the election which ultimately made Onuche the first SUG President from Natural Sciences.

The present Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Comrade Philip Shaibu was Hosea's rival then. He eventually became NANS President. While in University of Jos, Professor Ashanu was just like a guardian to Edward Onoja. Prof. Ashanu who is the present HOD Geology and Mining can be reached on 08087186235.

Upon graduation, Edward Onoja proceeded for the one year compulsory National Youth Service programme in Port Harcourt after scaling through rigors of interview with Total Fina-ELF Petroleum Nigeria Limited. He served in the Exploration Department as a Trainee Geologist and subsurface personnel and excelled greatly. While working with 10C experts, his interest in the oil and gas sector particularly to the role of Nigerians in the Nigerian energy market was kindled. He served as a Corps Member in  Total Fina-Elf under Mr. Patrick Idoko, Mr. Godwin Oboh, Mr. Kajetan, and Mr. Shola. Mr. Patrick Idoko, an Idoma man from Benue State who still works with the same company till date can be reached on 07069157629.

However, on June 2001, he moved to the banking industry, Guaranty Trust Bank to be precise, starting with the Training School in Lagos where he graduated top of the class with a prize. He was then moved to Guaranty Trust Bank, Jos Branch as a Customer Service Officer where he played ample roles at both administrative and management levels. He bestrode the banking sector like a colossus representing amongst other things in the country the first set of seasoned scientists to bring innovation, new skills, dexterity and a new lease of life to the hitherto docile banking industry. His emergence in this category of bankers brought life and passion to the banking sector. While in GT Bank, Edward Onoja served diligently under a boss known as Kayode Adaramodu from Ekiti State and who currently lives in the United Kingdom. Mr. Kayode can be reached on +447990235666.

After 1 year and 11 months, Edward Onoja was promoted to a new Branch of GT Bank in Makurdi as Operations Manager. Consequent upon his skill, finesse, creativity and proactivity utilized in starting up and flourishing the Makurdi Branch, he became the man to be used for starting up new Branches of the GT Bank hence, he was responsible for starting up Lokoja Branch, Obajana, Okene and Lafia Branches respectively. He was not just an Operations Manager in GTB but doubled as the Training Officer in the whole of Northern Nigeria (on-the-job weekly training).

In 2009, he moved to Access Bank Plc, Lokoja as a Branch/Relationship Manager in both the commercial and Corporate banking group where he handled analysis of investment profiles of the banks numerous portfolio. In Access Bank, he raised their balance sheet from less than 30 million to over half a billion naira in 9 months, a feat which promoted him from Lokoja to a bigger Branch in Asokoro, Abuja as Relationship Manager. One of his colleagues in the Bank then, Mr. Enebi Idachaba can be reached on 08067633612.

An ardent believer in true friendship built on trust and respect whose friendship base cuts across the nation and in the Diaspora. A man whose inclination to friendship transcends political, tribe or ethic barriers. Interestingly, by June 2011, he founded the On and On Global Resources Limited where he gave consulting on risk and financial investments as well as consultation in the power and energy sectors.

Edward's stint in the oil and gas sector drew the attention of the management of Taleveras Exploration and Production Company Limited n July, 2013 with his appointment as the General Manager Exploration and Production which gave him the opportunity to handle roles such as building a strong exploration and production in an arm of the company to managing the company’s international and domestic partnerships. With his vast experience in energy and cooperate finance, he was able to help the company in curbing excessive waste thereby reducing investment risk exposures in its entirety. While at Taleveras, Edward was part of the team of experts that was tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the exploration of 3 Oil Blocks in Ivory Coast and also the Gas Terminal contract in Equatorial Guinea. Mr. Oseloka Odikpo was a colleague in Telveras E & P Co. Ltd, and can be reached on 08033542865.

While serving as the General Manager in this company, he also operated as the company representative for reviewing PSC terms in all their assets around the world, travelling far and wide having high level business negotiations in almost all the continents of the world. His strong relationship, ability to read and understand people and situations made it easy for him to handle the company’s relationships with NPDC on shared assets. Later on, Edward Onoja was appointed as the Commercial Representative on the Management Committee on joint asset where he worked closely with NPDC staff.

Certain qualities define a man’s character and this is evident in the way and manner Edward Onoja deals with people on a day to day basis. His acuity and dexterity in seeing problems and proffering solutions is legendary.

HIS FORAY INTO POLITICS.

Edward Onoja’s penchant for politics started right from his days in the university where he was the President of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. In 2011, he resigned from Access Bank to vie for the State House of Assembly to represent Olamaboro Constituency under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). It is worthy of note that Hon. Edward became the candidate of the party the same day he resigned and left Access Bank (14th February, 2011 to be precise).

That was his first stint at politics outside the university campus environment.

In same year, from July to December 2011, he was the State Director and was fully in charge of Project 3R — Rescue, Restore, Rebuild Kogi on behalf of our late great leader and gargantuan political icon, Prince Abubakar Audu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as at then. They gave the PDP a good fight at the polls that year.

In 2015, he was the State Director of Kogi Youth Arise Group for Buhari/Osinbajo, the group that worked earnestly and assiduously and whose hardwork led to victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 Presidential Election. That was the first time an opposition party won a presidential election in Kogi State. It was thereafter he moved on to becoming the Chief Strategist and Director-General of the Alhaji Yahaya Bello Campaign Organization in preparation for the 2015 gubernatorial election in Kogi State.

Edward Onoja led young men who were considered political new kids on the block round the 3 senatorial districts canvassing for support for AYB; they were believed and their voice heard to a great extent as the delegates produced the votes which put Alhaji Yahaya Bello far ahead of other seasoned politicians with long experience in politics and made him the runner-up in the primaries. As divine providence would have it, Alhaji Yahaya Bello became the governor of Kogi State after the abrupt but sad passing away of our great leader, Prince Abubakar Audu. 

EDWARD ONOJA'S SPIRITUALITY.

Edward Onoja belongs to the ORDER OF THE MELCHIZEDEK BROTHERHOOD, a brotherhood whose creed is LOVE; whose weapon is the WORD; whose defense is the NAME THAT IS HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER NAME - JESUS; whose emblem is the CROSS, the ancient cross of calvary (the mystery of the crucifix). The belief of this brotherhood is that there is a better and greater world than the one in which we live today.

Edward Onoja is a joint heir with the King of kings that accounts for why he fears no human being, no matter how highly placed. He fears no one who can hurt the body but not the soul, moreso, in the final analysis, we shall all return to the dust where we were created from.

Edward walks in grace and mercy. He is not perfect, but believes so much in the power of the blood that is not that of an animal — The blood of Jesus. He is an unrepentant believer in the trinity.

HIS PHILOSOPHY.

He believes in the equality of all men under God. He believes that Nigeria can, and will get better ditto Kogi State. He has a firm belief in the youths and have always affirmed that it is time for the youths to take their place in governance of their nation.

Edward Onoja believes in Jesus Christ as he is Christ-Like in charater.

HIS FAMILY.

He is from a family of 7 siblings with both parents alive, hale and hearty and married with a 12 year old daughter.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP/PHILANTHROPY.

While operating in the financial sphere, the man Edward Onoja brought to life the men's hair grooming sector by setting up a Barber's shop as he grew it from a one outlet with just 2 staffers to 5 outlets with 14 staffers. This enterprise has helped groom and motivated at 8 young people who are now graduates  — 7 males and 1 female (who is a graduate of Law) and currently in pursuit of their destiny. To say the least, Edward Onoja is a mentor to so many young Nigerians and particularly in Kogi State.

Very impressive resume you might say and this is the kind of Aaron any President, Governor or Chief Executive Officer of any state or company should have, who would held him or her navigate through processes that could help his office succeed.

Edward Onoja is the man whose pedigree, experience and wealth of knowledge would help the candidate of the APC in the forthcoming Governorship election in Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello (when he becomes Governor and….HE WILL) consolidate and reshape the future of Kogi State.

This Aaron must hold firm, the hand of Moses in Kogi State for the full manifestation of all the potentials embedded in the state for success.

My name is Precious Eze, Publisher @Precious Eze’s Blog and I support the Bello-Onoja candidacy in Kogi State.

NOVEMBER 16^TH 2019 IS SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED.