OC, it is like you have gone too soon. You left me without saying goodbye. Yes, OC! I remember vividly that this is the name we fondly called ourselves, way back in 1983 at our NYSC Orientation Camp in G.M.M.C, Yola. The name came as a result of an assignment given to us by our then Platoon Commandant, late Staff Sergeant Karim (rtd).

I had looked forward to the period when we would retire from active public service, sit under shade at a choice location and relive fond memories of our days at Bayero Hungushi Road in our rented two single room apartments. And later, Mayo-Ine Road, behind Taraba Hotel, Water Board Quarters or, on our famous culvert where we used to sit, talk and develop strategies for earning Naira and kobo for the next day.

OC had left Yola on Thursday, June 18, 2015, a few days to his birthday, to keep an appointment with his doctor in Abuja and I was to follow to see him on Friday evening. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it that Friday because my booking with Med-View Airline to Abuja was confirmed for the next day, which was Saturday.

As we were about boarding at about 9:45am on that fateful Saturday, a call came through from Bishop  (Kanatapwa) his Personal Assistant  (PA), whom he had travelled with to Abuja. As I was trying to respond to the call, I realized that he was heavily sobbing at the other end without saying a word and I screamed and asked ‘something wrong with OC? He struggled and responded by saying “Oto Kudo” meaning, he passed on, just a few minutes ago”  I suddenly sat up at the edge of a sofa where I was in the V.I.P lounge, at the Yola International Airport and switched off the phone.

When I recovered from my initial shock after about 10 minutes or so, I sat back trying to fill the blank in my mind. Then came the boarding announcement. We boarded and took off to Abuja. As I arrived at the airport and was rushing to the hospital, I stopped for a while to enquire from one of the family members and I was advised to go to his Apo residence as his corpse had already been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

Our first contact was between 1973 and 1976, when we were both students at the famous Ramat Technical College, Maiduguri. Although we belong to different social groups, we occasionally met at some Christian gatherings and developed mutual respect for each other.
On graduation from Ramat Technical College, both of us took up appointments with the then Gongola State Ministry of Agricultural and Natural Resources (Water Division) on a monthly salary  of N120.

OC, Tony was such a man with a big heart. He was a generous person who demonstrated this rare attribute in helping the needy and down trodden n communities not necessary from his own axis. One great lesson I learnt from him in his political dealings with people was that he had no enemies. Sometimes I thought he would refuse to meet face to face with some of them as a result of political differences, but he never discriminated against anyone.  To me, that was a real spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation built in him and a great lesson for any person to learn as a public figure.

OC, (Tony) you are only gone for six months, but the reccurring decimal here is when I sit outside my workshop in Jambutu (Jimeta – Yola), where we used to visit, as our small (Majalisa), overlooking sky east-ward; the usual landing point into Yola International Airport, viewing domestic airlines descending always, I see you in my mind as if you are on board landing and will soon arrive at our Majalisa, as usual, after a 10-minute or so drive from the airport.

My OC, you lived your life like a big stick of a burning candle in the wind, yet never fading with sunset. Your legendary acts and your footsteps will always be felt here on our land. The joy you brought to us through the years as a civil servant and politician, words cannot express.  When we reflect on your life, the facts bring us tears. Adieu!
Engr. Lutu ((Grinda Batta) is the Executive Chairman, Adamawa State Planning Commission (ADSPC)