Joseph Oboh (1949 – 2015): A Tribute

BORN in a Bamkemo, Ile Oluji, Ondo State, on February 12, 1949, Joseph Oboh was the third child of the late Benjamin Oboh and his late wife, Grace Oboh, both from Irrua, Edo State. Benjamin, a hardworking farmer, raised his children in a very disciplined way.

Joseph attended St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Bamkemo, Ondo State from 1958 to 1964. He moved to Asaba in 1966, where he learnt automobile repairs during a five-year training course at J. Akintayo General Motor, Itsekiri Road, Sapele, Bendel State (now Delta State.

He later moved to Lagos State where he attended Technical College, Ipetu-Ijesha, from 1972 to 1975. Joseph obtained a Diploma at DELE Industrial Training Centre, Surulere, Lagos, after a three-year course that began in 1977. He took Vocational Qualifications exams at the prestigious City and Guilds International, London, United Kingdom, where he qualified as a Mechanical Engineer. He also obtained a certificate at the Institute of Engineers and Technicians, 100 Groove, East Dulwich, London, in 1981.

Joseph’s work career started at Metalloplastica Nigeria Limited, Apapa, Lagos, where he worked as an Auto Mechanic and Transport Officer between 1975 and 1988. Before leaving the firm, however, he was a management staff member. He later maintained the personal boat of the late Vice President Augustus Aikhomu.

His career also took him to Maryland Crescent, Maryland Estate between 1992 and 1998 where he worked as a Transport Consultant at Lloyd’s Property Limited (A.P). In 2001, he worked as a Consultant at the Engineering Department of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc. He also served in that capacity at OANDO Plc from 2001 to 2006.

Joseph found his true calling in life as he resigned from circular work and went ahead to set up Dele Oboh Engineering Company (DOECO), located in Apapa, Lagos State in 2007. As the CEO of DOECO, he worked as a Mechanical Consultant for several companies till his demise.
He was a genius in his field and was highly sought after.

A devout Christian, he embraced the Truth and was baptised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 22, 1972. He served as an Account and Literature Servant. He was later appointed to serve as an Elder in the year 1976. He continued serving as an Overseer in the Christian Congregation till his demise on April 9, 2015.

Joseph was married to Olufunke Oboh and is survived by seven children and five grandchildren. Among his children are Henry Sabagen N Oboh, Oluwakemi Emeghebo, Oluwasegun Ilesanmi (step), Bola Omozel Oboh, Yinka Oboh, Gbenga Victor Oboh, Joshua Akigbe Oboh and Michael Usiomo Oboh.

They all paid glowing tributes to their late father for leading a worthy life. Joseph’s wife, Olufunke, described him as “peaceful and very kind,” adding, “For me, no woman has a better husband.”

Henry described him as an epitome of peace, tolerance, generosity, endurance and wisdom.

For Mr. Bayo Oboh, Joseph’s younger brother, he “was “dependable, spiritual, tolerant, considerate, comforting, easy to approach, humble, a man who played his part as a brother very well, a father to all and a pack of wisdom.”

“My brother was accommodating, kind, friendly, good to all, God-fearing, caring and forgives easily,” Mr. Biodun Oboh also wrote while paying tribute to Joseph.

For Kemi, “Daddy was calm, discerning, reasonable and humorous.” Bola, lamented that “his death took a part of me; he made me happy when am sad, but Jehovah is greater than death.”

Yinka said, “Dad was Patient and very hardworking,” while Gbenga noted that “Dad was very approachable and full of life.”

For Joshua, “he loved Jehovah and people. Very fun to be with.” Michael recalled that “Dad was very caring and generous.”