Engr. Ogbolo Aaron Eje, an Abuja-based Civil and Structural Engineer and the CEO of Jebstructs Nigeria Limited and Skyprime Detail Engineering Limited gives his 108 yrs old father a befitting burial for a life well spent. Pa Ogbolo Daniel Onah lived between 1914-2022 and was known as a successful farmer, a community leader, and a philanthropist whose life had impacted so many lives both living and dead.
At Pa Ogbolo’s residence at Okpenehi-Ada-Iyeche of Oju LGA of Benue State between 28th and 29th December 2022, were dignitaries and mourners cutting across traditional leaders, both serving and non serving political office holders, business associates of his children, religious and community leaders recounting memories.
PA. Ogbolo’s biography
Papa Ogbolo Daniel was born in 1914 to the family of late Chief Onah Aju popularly known as Obachi Onyukwu and Ohiama Ogigbo in Oyidoma ( Anchimeba) of Okpenehi Ada-Iyeche, Igede Oju LGA Benue State Nigeria.
He was the 5th child in a polygamous family of 18 children. Late Pa Ogbolo had no privilege of formal western education standard but he passed through a system of education called “organiser” he was later withdrawn by his late father whose ideology largely favoured farming as a then noble occupation upon his relocation from Oyinyi to Okpenehi, Iyeche for farming activities.
His late father, Chief Onah Aju became a councillor and brought the primary school to Okpenehi which gave him another chance at school but was withdrawn again by his father who bent on having him farming with him. In spite of this, Papa Ogbolo could read and write until his departure to a great beyond.
Late Pa Ogbolo’s youthful and career life was admired by many who queued and mentored by him. He was a hardworking and famous farmer, community leader, and Philanthropist whose influence and fame of farming spanned across the entire state of Benue, and for many decades was a successful farmer. Because of his large-scale farming, he travelled yearly to Ekimoha community in Eza Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to hire workers/labourers in their hundreds.
His farming specialty ranges from the cultivation and planting of yam, cassava, rice, and palm oil to other farm products.
He was one of the most prominent farmers across Igede land and parts of Nigeria such as Enugu and Ebonyi States.
As a leader of the Okpenehi community and part of his civil life, he led resounding developmental projects that moved the community forward; he was responsible for community health care and also fought and brought LGEA primary school and eventual Universal Basic Education (UBE) followed by series of his initiatives that led to the recognition of Okpenehi community for development projects from Local government authority.
His encouragement led to the building of some churches within the community which further brought development to the Okpenehi community and its people.
As an industrious and disciplined man, he encouraged his children to embrace education, hard work, persistence, and all his virtues and integrity which formed the basis of his ideology and philosophy of life.
He has both directly and indirectly motivated all his children to have a post-secondary education; vast numbers are graduates while the rest are accomplished artisans.
He has also imbued the same fire in those who came in direct contact with him; nephews, nieces, and brothers to encourage education and live a life worthy of emulation.
He is survived by three wives, and 22 children among whom is Engr. Ogbolo Aaron Eje, 61 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.
