RECIPIENT
DR. STEVEN Makoji Achema
ARISE IGALA HALL OF FAME
L
ate Dr. Steven Makoji Achema was born in Ankpa around February 1947 to the great dispenser, popularly known as Dokita Andrew Oyibo Achema and his beautiful wife Adi. From the age of five, in January, 1952-54, young vibrant Achema was enrolled into the kindergarten at Dekina. Where ever his father goes, Achema was always by his side in fact he got so inquisitive to the point that he asked question that was befitting for boys who were much older than he was. From 1954, he proceeded to the Native Junior Primary school Idah, a school reserved for pupils with brilliance and excellent performance. This was later to earn him admission into the prestigious Senior Boarding School for the Gifted at Ofugo, Enjema District, Ankpa. His exceptional performances won him a special place in the heart of his school teachers and principal that he was placed under strict supervision to study hard and gain admission to higher level in January 19611967 , Achema again got admitted to the popular Government College Keffi for his Secondary School. The college principal was so impressed with his performance that he was given a special recognition and award. However, in 1967, Late Dr. Steven Achema was invited as a tutor at the staff College; he made history as the first student of the college to be employed for this act of exceptional performance, his name was written in the Government College of Keffi’s hall of fame. He stood for justice, fairness and truth. He was a sportsman and had won several awards in the field of play. He was dogged and for this was the president of the Man O’ War club from 1966-67 In 1967, he pioneered the Igala Student Association in the College where he became the president. There were circumstances around his birth as well as his death! Steven Makoji Achema who was called Moses and Joshua dared where others feared. Late Dr. Steven Achema is irreplaceable and we still cry after that fateful year, 16 years ago to be precise, at the Lokoja Abuja high way a ghastly motor accident claimed the life of our son and a political genius and that was to change how things should happen in our political history. He was a man who dreamt of sustainable social development for the people of Igala land, Nigeria and Kogi state as a whole. The late special Assistant to the former president Olusegun Obasanjo was a dogged politician who placed emphasis on the wellbeing of the common people of Igala land and Kogi state; this he did even at the point of death. A man with broad vision for fairness ensured that development in Igala land saw the light of the day; one can only imagine the level of development if he was to be alive and with us today. A RARE GIFT TO THE NATION STEVEN ACHEMA MAKOJI WAS! For his courage, determination, love for the people and many other positive attitude of this great son of the land, ARISE IGALA Magazine considered him fit to be inducted into the ARISE IGALA HALL OF FAME.
Arise Igala-Issue 32
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