Chief Dr. Elder Sylvester Momo Onoja OON ,His Undying Desire For Genuine Reforms In Education Sector In Nigeria At His Birthday.
Without sentiments, Honourable Chief Dr Sylvester Momo Onoja’s Birthday did not only come with gratitude to God from only his immediate families, communities,friends and well wishers,but people who looked upon him for over decades with a distance mentorship.
From my personal experience and interactions,I got to know the passion and his desire for a strong and consistent educational policies in Nigeria, that guarantee continuity both in my days as a student of Federal College of Arts And Sciences(FSAS),Suleija, Niger State,where he was the Vice Principal (Adminstration) of the revered college,now Federal School For The Gifted(FSFG).
Even though, records shows he was a teacher,a tutor,before he became an adminstrator,but posterity will not provide a place for me in history not to x-ray both his roles as an administrator and lately a public commentator.
The good things about the celebrant today, Sylvester Momo Onoja is that in all his outings,he never delved into any other areas apart from his consistent clamour for a robust Educational policies and Programs that will guarantee an egalitarian society in Nigeria.
His fearless,ardent passion in out of service and emotional stance towards the developement of Education in Nigeria is unwavering and uncompromising anywhere he finds himself both at private and public fora.
Onoja’s wisdom and astuteness safeguard series of threats to students riots at FSAS Suleija those days,”except if he is not in school,and nothing takes him from his official duties”,few months after he left on transfer,riot broke up that led to the removal of then Principal of the School ,Alhaji Umar Mashegu.
His service to Educational developement sojourn took him to many places and lately the famous King’s College Lagos,that witnessed a lot of reforms during his stint,the legacies subsequent adminstrators of the school still maintained.
The renowned educationist who was attracted to preside over education matter in Kogi between 2003-2012 as Commissioner for Education left an indelible mark on the sands of time, by carrying out a wholistic approach towards the developement of that sector in Kogi.
Infact,it was during his tenure the concept of free payment of WAEC and NECO registration for SSS3 students was introduced, and adopted by other state government.
His insistence on the round peg in a round hole particularly as it relates to education sector is non negotiable, as amy contrary is the bane of myriads of problems bedevilling the sector in Nigeria today.
Onoja’s position remains Professionals should be allowed to man the Education Ministry, just like it is obtainable in Law and Medicine,frowning at the decadence in Education in Nigeria to goverrment decision/position.
A community leader, religious leader,activist,commentator,though retired but not tired,as we look up to him to manning the Education sector at any level in the nearest future,so as to bequaeth more knowledge,service experience,policy formulation that will give a face lift to our system at all levels in Nigeria.
As you celebrate additional year that ushered you to a septugenerian status,may Almighty Lord grant you more years,more wisdom,more fame in the services of your father land
CONGRATULATIONS and Happy Birthday Sir.
Abubakar Yusuf Writes From Abuja