By Tersoo Zamber
I heard Otunba Gbenga Onayiga on the radio for years before I finally came face to face with him in 2006 at Radio House Abuja. This followed my posting to FRCN after the 21 days NYSC orientation camp in Kubwa, Abuja.
The expectation was for me to be posted to FRSC.
Perhaps, due to my course of study, Mass Communication, I was posted to FRCN. FRCN was unconsciously mistaken for FRSC, unconsciously again for good.
I was a bit hesitant, but my friend, Ahmed Maidawa who works with the CBN encouraged me to go to FRCN.
In fact, he drove me in his Honda Bullet car then, to FRCN to submit my posting letter.
Eventually, I was accepted and posted to Political Unit.
Lo and behold, I met the Unit Head, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga.
He gave me orientation on the operations of the unit and treated me more of a son.
Oga Gbenga took me to events, introduced me to the high and mighty and gave me assignments to handle.
Indeed, he gave me the rare privilege of being heard on the FRCN even as a Corps member.
At the end of my Youth Service, Oga Gbenga organised a party for me in the Political Unit.
At the party, he gave me useful advice and opened the floor for all to advice and pray for me.
One of the secretaries, now retired, Mrs. Okoro, while offering praying for me prophesized I was not going to look for job but job would look for me.
At the end, out of 11 of us that served in FRCN across the directorates in the headquarters, I was the only one, from the minority at that, that was retained.
My retention was not without interview by a panel comprising board members and directors.
On the day of the interview, I arrived Radio House, simply dressed as usual, a shirt on a pair of trousers and shoes.
I didn’t have the money to buy suit, I wasn’t interested in borrowing one either.
I saw almost every other candidate, men and women dressed in suits, some wore oversized coats, like my friend, Godwin Odey.
On sighting me around the interview hall, Oga Gbenga scolded me, “Tersoo, you can’t dress like this to interview!”.
He held me by the hand and took me to 12th floor from 1st floor.
Oga Gbenga was looking for someone with neck tie for me.
We entered the Director News office, and the then Deputy Director News, Mr. Ademola Afolabi was in the office, acting while the Director News, the late Reginald Okochi was downstairs on the interview panel.
Oga Gbenga requested Mr. Afolabi to release his tie for me.
In fact, Oga Gbenga untied the tie from Mr. Afolabi’s neck and knocked it on me.
I went for the interview and today all is history in the works for another time.
When I was wedding, in my village Uchi, Mbakor in Tarka LGA of Benue state, oga Gbenga and many others including Oga Mohammed Bello, Oga Yinka Amosu, Mrs. Msuurshima Kighir, Madam Husseina Akila, Henrietta Ibrahim traveled to my village to grace the occasion.
Till today, I have not seen an event that has moved FRCN staff out of Abuja like my wedding, I stand to be corrected. Some people were asking how I got these calibre of people to attend my wedding.
I deliberately took my wedding to my village for two reasons, to know who can follow me to my village and to bring celebration to my people.
Even after retirement, we have remained close and maintain a robust relationship.
He has greatly encouraged me for my post graduate studies in University of Abuja.
I have learnt a lot from Oga Gbenga like many others: humility, patience, contentment, dedication to duty, love for journalism, willingness to help, mentoring younger ones and striving for the best.
On the occasion of Oga Gbenga’s 60th birthday anniversary today, I wish him joyous moments always and long life.
Happy 60th birthday anniversary sir.
