By Bulus Gambo
“For I am convinced that neither death nGor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future. Neither height nor dept, nor anything else in all creations, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
On the 1st August 2024, our admirable Prof-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Karl Kumm University Vom, Prof. Ochapa C. Onazi OON went to be with God, our creator, after a brief illness. Though it was a painful exist, the deceased ran a good race and is resting in the bosom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Though the news of the passing of this erudite scholar of international repute spread like wildfire across the nation and beyond; a few days earlier; he had participated in a crucial meeting of the university’s Board of Trustees where critical decisions concerning sustainable academic excellence in the institution were discussed and endorsed.
During the meeting, the late university Don in his usual self was so brilliant in his engagements and never showed any sign of health challenges. So, when death unexpectedly came calling on that fateful day, it was a rude shock to members of the Board of Trustees, Governing Council, management and staff including the students of the university who had hoped he stayed much longer to continue to be a blessing to the institution.
No doubt, the former Chairman of the Governing Council of Karl Kumm University’s significant contributions to the extraordinary growth of the institution will never be forgotten in the annals of the university’s history.
I came in close contact with Prof Ochapa Onazi some years back after I was appointed to serve as a secretariat member of the J.D Gomwalk Annual Memorial Lecture sponsored and organized by former Comptroller of Immigration, David Parrandang at the University of Jos. After the lecture, I was mandated to come-up with a press statement to which the sponsor instructed must be vetted by him before publication. After drafting the statement, I was directed to take it to his house which I did and his corrections became a souvenir I kept close to that of another erudite scholar Prof Ali Muzuri’s till date.
As fate would have it, I was opportune to meet the late Prof. Onazi again after I joined Karl Kumm University where some of us learn a lot from him particularly during his engagement with staff when time permits. Honestly, Baba’s simplicity was one character that beats my imagination. He was so kind and ever listening to all human beings.
As former Chairman of the Planning and Implementation Committee (CPIC) of Karl Kumm University, Prof Onazi till death remained a great pillar and immensely contributed in no small measure towards the establishment and takeoff of the faith-based university by showcasing great passion and resiliency each time he was requested to contribute his intellectual thoughts.
For the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Karl Kumm University, Vom, Prof Suleiman Bogoro, OON, the deceased’s death has robbed our global intellectual community a distinguished scholar per-excellence whose contribution to the global and Nigerian education sector has re-positioned many tertiary institutions. Prof Bogoro believes that the deceased indeed left a huge vacuum which would be hard to fill considering his achievements. Bogoro who was overwhelmed by emotions when the news of Prof. Onazi reached him, in tears acknowledged the deceased’s service to both Karl Kumm, the education sector and humanity while alive.
For the Vice Chancellor of Karl Kumm University, Prof Nanven Audu Gambo, the news of the demise of the Pro-Chancellor was received with heavy heart stating that, “During the Board of Trustee online meeting held on the 29th of July 2024 which lasted over three hours, his contribution to the growth of the university was so remarkable. After the meeting was adjourned by the chairman, Prof Suleiman Bogoro, Baba raised up his hand and said he wanted to make a remark. The chairman then granted him the opportunity to speak. As humans, we could not make sense out of what Baba was saying on that fateful day, until after his demise on the 1st, August 2024.
After the chairman of the board granted Baba permission to speak, he thanked everybody, he thanked the chairman of the Board of Trustees and members, he thanked the President of COCIN and the leadership of the church entirely. And of course, I was the last person he mentioned and if I can quote him well, he said, “I like working with this Vice Chancellor, and I want all to extend their support to him to succeed on this assignment.”
“Immediately after that meeting, I had to rush to Abuja for another meeting which was slated for the following day. So, my plan was that after I return from Abuja, I will meet him as usual at his residence so that we can discuss other issues. I returned on the 31st of July, 2024 and it was in the evening. On the 1st of August, I decided after being away from the office, let me get there to prepare my table and later in the evening, I will get to the resident of Baba. I was just about preparing to take-off when I got the sad news about the transition to eternal glory of our dear father. I did not know when my phone fell from my hand. To sum everything up, Baba was a blessing to humanity, he served humanity selflessly and to the best of his ability.
Many people will not know that Baba was a Board member of Kwararafa University Wukari. In fact, the Vice Chancellor of the university called me yesterday saying he would have loved to be here with us, I am sure something held him back otherwise he would have been here with us. Baba was always there to contribute to the growth of the church also. I am sure he is resting with our Lord in heaven.”
Born on the 20th November 1936 in Igumale, Benue State, Nigeria, the late Prof Onazi was educated at the Methodist Central Primary School Igumale, then the Methodist Central School Oturpo, Boys Secondary School, BSS Gindiri and the Nigerian College of Arts , Science and Technology, Zaria.
Prof Onazi graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in zoology in 1964 from London University, Ibadan campus and a Master of Science (M.Sc) from the University of London and a Diploma of Imperial College (DIC). Ochapa Onazi graduated with a Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D) in Agricultural Education from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, where he was supervised by Professor Robert Johnson.
In 2003 Ochapa Onazi was a recipient of the National Honour of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) in recognition of his services to Nigeria’s educational sector. In 2014, he was a recipient of the National Universities Distinguished Professor Award, also in recognition of his services to Education in Nigeria and for scholarship in the field of Biological Sciences. He was at a point in time, a President of the Gindiri Old Students Association (GOSA).
Ochapa Onazi was a Member of the Entomological Society of Nigeria; Trustee of the Agricultural Extension Association of Nigeria; Member of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria; Life Member and Past President of the Nigerian Association for Agricultural Education; former Member of the Kansas Entomological Society; Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society of London; and former Member of the Adult Education Association, USA.
Professor Ochapa Onazi was former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Bayero University, Kano (2000-2004), former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Benue State University, Makurdi (1996 – 2004) and former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Plateau State University, Bokkos (2006-2007). He was also Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (2000-2002).
He was appointed Chairman of Planning and Implementation Committee (CPIC) of Karl Kumm University, Vom by COCIN Church (2006 – 2012) and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of Karl Kumm University, Vom in 2021.
Ochapa Onazi before his demise married Mikiya Ruth Onazi, they are blessed with five children: Eru, Oche, Agbenu, Adadu and Ori.
Adieu Baba, till we meet to part no more.
Bulus Gambo is the Protocol and Information Officer, Karl Kumm University Vom, Plateau State.
gambob@kku.edu.ng
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