He met his death on the 17th April, 2020 after an Auto-crash along Iyale-Anyigba Road.
I was sent by a group tagged “AMOKPA FAMILY” as a maternal family descendant union for a live chat and interview in preparation for the much awaited post Funeral Ceremony of our Late Princess Etumabo Amokpa which was postponed from it’s earlier scheduled date of 4th march, 2020 due to the dreaded global pandemic COVID-19. I had two hours intensive engagement discussions on various topical family oral histories on the 8th March, 2020.
HIS RISE TO STARDOM AS THE ONUH OF IYALE; ON THE ROYAL STOOL OF CHIEF OBAJE AMANA-EDEH
He rose to the pre-eminent throne of his forefathers on the 25th August, 2015 after the presentation of the staff-of-office to the about sixteen (16) carefully appointed and graded traditional rulers by the then Former Governor of Kogi State; Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada, at the banquet hall of Kogi State Government House, Lokoja.
He was the third person on the list prepared by the then Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Ainoko in the third class category then. He was given his staff of office after the Olumagongo of Magongo, 2nd class status from Ogori-magongo; Chief Sam Bola Ojo and the Obobanyi of Emani, 2nd class status from Okehi LGA; Chief Samuel Adai Onimisi. About thirteen (13) more others were given staff of office that same day.
Engr. Thomas Idajili was the was the eighth heir (8th) from Adogbo family to be successfully coronated in the lineage and root of Chief Obaje Amana-Edeh ruling House.
HIS HUMBLE BEGINNING:
HRH, Engr. Thomas Idajili was born to the family of HRH, Chief Amokpa Obaje on the 3rd june,1960.
He started his Primary School Education from 1967 to 1972 and was unable to secure Secondary Admission until 1974. He became a menial labourer known to be too debasing on the motley of farms owned by yoruba speaking people precisely at Ogbomosho, Obamo, Olokiti and Ilegba. He did this between period he couldn’t further his Educational careers.
He was hardworking as a young person until his tragic death.
After labouriously lived and worked for the Yoruba farmers in the Western part of Nigeria,; He came back home and joined the first set of the then Teachers College Dekina in 1976 where he fell in love with football after repeating his Primary School Education again in 1975.
He also went to the prestigious Technical School, Oduh in 1976-1977 where he obtained the CRAFT TRAINING CERTIFICATE in Blocklaying/ Concreting from 1977-1982 and thereafter obtained the Sit and Guild of London, Federal Craft Certificate (FCC), Federal Labour Trade Test (FLTT): stage 2 and 3 in 1982.
He joined FCDA in 1982-1983.
He obtained National Diploma in Building Technology from the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa in 1989. He then went again to Federal Polytechnic Bida where obtained HND in the same Building Technology.
HIS ACADEMIC PURSUITS AND HIS LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:
While on Campus; as a student; He was the President of NABUTS and was also the Class Captain in Bida Polytechnic. All the above happened while he was running his Higher National Diploma program in Building Technology.
He was also the Chairman of NABUTS as well as the Class REP in Nasarawa Polytechnic while pursuing his National Diploma in Building Technology.
He was providently employed in Federal Capital Development Authority(FCDA) as a secondary school leaver before and later proceeded to Nasarawa and Bida Polytechnics for successful studies in Building Technology.
He was first employed as a Technical Assistant on Level4/step4 before he acquired his ND through an approved study leave.
HE acquired his HND while he was a level 10 Principal Technical Officer Two (II) in building Department of the FCDA and received his confirmation letter of appointment through Alhaji Dalhatu A. Sifawa who was the Permanent Secretary in FCDA.
He bagged PGD in building technology from FUT MINNA.
He had to himself Masters degree in Human Resources from University of Benin(2007-2008).
He acquired a Computer Certificate after six(6) months professional computer training from the PSI COMPUTER COLLEGE, Abuja.
He retired from active service from the Development Control (DC) as a sub-unit in FCDA in 2018; as an acting Assistant Director in lieu of the traditional adornment of royal princehood at the approval of HRM, Dr. Micheal Ameh Oboni in 2015 after the put on hold royal stint of 2012(Q.E.D) approved and supported by Late HRH, Alhaji Aliyu Obaje traceable to the appointment of HRH, ENGR. THOMAS IDAJILI by the Capt. Idris Ichala Wada led administration in 2012.
He won several laurels after meeting the KPIs of the Development Control outlined in FCDA Standard Document.
He enjoyed active professional membership: of PGD Association, Building Technology Associations, CORBON (2004) and the Nigerian Institute of Building.
ON THE JOB TRAINING EXPERIENCE:
_He attended the 39th General Meeting, Training / Conference (food basket) 2009.
_The Global Financial Meltdown: Challenges and Opportunities for Construction Industry at the Medical School Hall, Benue State University.
_The Nigeria institute of Structural Engineers: structural analysis, design, Data and Multi Storey Building: Computer based approach: crytal palace hotel Area 11 Garki Abuja.
_National Association of Building Technology Students(NABUTS): The Nigerian Institute of Building; Annual General Meeting/ Conference, the National Building Code and the National Building training held at Women and Children Development Initiative foundation (WOCDIF), Osogbo Osun State.
The Nigerian Institute of Building; 40th Annual General Meeting/Training with the theme: Risk Management in Construction; Delta State.
_Project Management Academy; attended the 2005 standard procurement and contract documents.
_Centre for Management Development; he attended the environmental management workshop/Training.
_He attended the Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management, 3rd Dec. 2011.
_The Nigerian Institute of Building: Extra-ordinary General Meeting/ Seminar: The Insurance Act and the Built Environment.
_The Nigerian Institute of Building: Association of the Nigerian Institute of Builders.
CORBON MEMBERSHIP:
He was a member of Council Of Registered Builders Of Nigeria with a serial no F.1222.
He continued to excel in his membership leading to his attendance of the mandatory training program of the CORBON on “Improving the core practice of Builders in Kaduna.
The Nigerian Institute of Building: workshop/lecture on construction Health and Safety.
He was also at the CORBON’s mandatory training program on Builders’ contract Procurement Document organised by the Department of Establishment and training FCTA in Conjunction with ultimax consults LTD workshop on Ethics and productivity in Public Service.
Written by:
ISAH WADA IYALE;
ON-BEHALF OF THE RULING HOUSE OF ADOGBO-GBOGBOTIKA
