It was indeed a day of honour and re-union between the family of Dr. Anastasius Begweheye Ador, Rev. Dr. Elisha Eddie, properly known as “Lion” before he became born again and friends in Ohong Community of Obudu LGA of Cross River State, after 20years.
History was made amid tears of joy at Ohong Village square on the 16th of November, 2013, as the Super Leaders International, a non governmental organization with the mandate of “Leaders Equipping Leaders to Equip Leaders” and one that does not indulge In “blame games”, came from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to honour the foster father of Rev. Elisha Eddie, the President of Super Leaders International, Dr. Ador for his enormous contribution to God and humanity in the last Eighty-five years.
The three Honorary Aawards that were given to Dr. Ador, which include: Honorary Doctorate in Educational Leadership; Follow Institute of Super Leadership Professionalism (FISLP) and Jury of Peers in Professional and Excellent Leadership Award (JPAPEL), were as a result of Dr. A.A. Ador’s contribution in producing high class citizens in Obudu, particularly in Ohong Community, which Rev. Elisha benefited from when Ador saw in him a young pupil that was eager to be a the top in class, hence his decision to take over the payment of Rev. Elisha’s school fees from that point, till the end of his secondary school.
A visit to Begiading Secondary Grammer School where Dr. Ador taught, Central Primary School (CPS) , which was founded on 29th of April 1935, where Dr. Ador attended primary school and Corpus Cristi Catholic Parish, all in Ohong Community, where Pa Ador was Baptized and Wedded, gave a true picture that the awards to Dr. Anastasius was well deserved and taught-out.
At the investiture, Rev. Elisha Eddie, SLI President said he has been making the demand to honour Dr. A.A Ador to the leadership of their organization in the past five years, disclosing that he was lucky to have their approval in the month of October, 2013, with the condition to shoulder the financial responsibility in coming to Ohong Community, since Dr. Ador was not physically fit to come Port-Harcourt for such honours.
Dr. Eddie expressed satisfaction in doing everything he could to honour a man that has paid his dues, a man that never denied him the name “Eddie” when he visited him in school and charged the people of Ohong to learn to say thank you to someone that has done them good, no matter how small it could be, adding that the best thing to do in life is to honour people when the are alive than when the are dead.
Addressing the media, shortly after the award presentations, the duo of Commander Dr. Henry Gordon Akpan (FISLP), Assistant Commander General of Vigilante Group Nigeria, South-South Zone and Pastor Louis Agbor, Advisory Board Member, SLI and Regional Headquarters Co-ordinator, Deeper Life Bible Church, Akpamkpa, Cross River State, stated that Dr. Ador was worthy of the honours that were bestowed on him, having gone through his profile, which was in conformity with the views of people about him.
They added that such honour could be given to someone else, if the person is screened and found worthy by their organization to have such honours. Godwin and Louis commended the people of Ohong Community for their hospitality and enjoined them to emulate the self sacrifice of Dr. Andrew Ador, in the development of his community and state at large.
In the same vein Chief Amb. J.J. Andorndeye, described Ohong as a peaceful community which he attributed to their efforts in ensuring that their youths are engaged in one thing or the other, in order to keep them away from social vices. He added that they were happy when they got the news of the award, saying that such has not happened in the history of their community.
Andorndeye, stated that the honour to Dr. Ador from a reputable organization that is ably led by Rev. Dr. Elisha Eddie, was an indication that no human being should be underestimated in life, urging his people to learn how to groom, just like Ador, who adopted a little child and nurtured him, affirming that the event was an eye opener to the people of Ohong.
Earlier, Mr. Okie Emmanuel, Head Teacher of Central Primary School (CPS), Ohong-Obudu, the School that Dr. Ador attend in his early days, disclosed that the school was established by the Roman Catholic Church in 1935, when he was not yet born.
He noted that the award recipient was one of the foremost sons of Obudu that had western education having obtained NCE as far back as 1960’s and became one of the first inspectors of schools in Obudu. Okie, noted that the scary visits of Pa-Ador with his Motor Cycle then to the school, when they were little Children, letter turned to be of good omen to the School.
On the award, the Head Teacher, Commended the leadership of Super Leaders International, pointing out that Dr. Andrew’s Jesture of moving house to house, encouraging people to go to school, when they do not know the value of education has helped to produce; professors, governors, Ambassadors, commissioners among others, in Obudu, particularly in Ohong Community.
Okie, however charged their people to learn to honour people, especially those that have distinguished themselves in the society, like Dr. Ador. He opined that people could not only be encouraged in education, but to also take to trade, farming, award of scholarships, supporting farmers with farm inputs like fertilizers among others, that could enhance agricultural produce in the society and better the economy of the nation.
The CPS Head Teacher bemoaned the attitude of immortalizing people when they are dead and not recognize them when they are alive, stating that honouring people while alive will encourage others and spur them to follow suit, hence the need for government to encourage people in all facet of life.
In the mean-time, Mr. Celsus U. Ador, Elder Son to Dr. A.A. Ador, thanked the people for honoring the event, and charged them to learn to say thank you to people, just like younger brother , Elisha pointed out.
Other respondents which include: Mr. Akomaye Abangtelhe, Catchest of Corpus Cristi Catholic Parish, who confirmed the baptism and wedlock of Dr. Ador in the Parish, Mr. Anthony Mbute, Mr. David Isika, Ohong Community Chairman, Mr. Innocent, Chairman of the Occasion, and Mr. Godwin Agogo, the Anchor man of the event, commended the awards to Dr. Ador as a well deserved honour.
While Dr. and Mrs. Ador in their respective responses thanked the Ohong people for making the event a success and expressed gratitude to the leadership of SLI, as Chief John Ugbe, Abanteihe Demain among others, graced the occasion which attracted the presence of several cultural groups that thrilled gusts and villagers at the event.
By Blaise Elumezie
