By Ikedi Ohakim
IN a society where individuals are celebrated for the wrong reasons and the dead, showered with unmerited encomium to Impress the living and perhaps sound politically correct, a tribute to Innocent Oparadike should be seen for what it is – an accurate testimonial for a man deserving of honour and recognition for his accomplishments.
Even when the heart is heavy and emotions are flowing, I consider it a duty to share some thoughts on this great son of Ogwa in Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State who fell to the cold hands of death at such a young and productive age. Oparadyke (as I fondly call him) was simply an epitome of humility, deep intellect and an absolutely loyal person to friendship.
In my years of association with politicians and the professionals in politics, Mpidike (his traditional title) came across as a rare breed that brought a good dose of intellectual Viagra into political debates and was always at home settling issues relying on the power of logic and superior argument.
When we had the privilege of serving as commissioners in the cabinet of late Senator Evan Enwerem in Imo State, Oparadike showed deep intellect, a good understanding of the operating environment and sound knowledge of literally every subject matter. The executive council meeting in Imo State then was bursting to the seams with robust cross pollination of ideas and Innocent Oparadike was always at his best driving and sustaining quality arguments and intellectual interventions that stirred great debates.
One good attribute of Oparadike that marks him out from many politicians is the courage to stand for the truth at all times and standing by group decisions as long as he is convinced about the sound reasoning that informed the position. Not one to attend political meetings with mindsets, Oparadyke trusts his power of assimilation and analysis and addresses every subject matter with an open mind, believing that only that which is founded on rational thinking and popular appeal should carry the day. He hits the bulls eye without caring whose ox is gored. With him as an associate, great ideas flow like the fountain.
Innocent Oparadike was just not my colleague in government as a Commissioner, he was my neighbour at the commissioner’s quarters in Owerri and a particular incident made me realize his absolute loyalty to friendship. When in 1993, Gen. Sani Abacha took over government and we were thrown out of office, I was on an economic mission in the United States of America with the Governor, late Chief Evan Enwerem. The commissioners were asked to pack out of the premises with military fiat. The burden of evacuating my family fell on no other than Innocent and his wife Esther. My wife had a few weeks old baby then and they were there to manage my family’s emotional trauma.
In the midst of the anxiety and confusion, Innocent proved the dependable and trusted friend by ensuring that my family was not only evacuated but settled safely in town before I returned. That rare act of care remains evergreen in my memory till date. We were later to become neighbours in Owerri where both families shared each other’s confidence and our children grew up together under our watchful eyes.
A first class material in every material particular, he never flaunts academic credentials neither does he believe in intimidating people with a profile that should ordinarily intimidate. He flows and levels up with ease but gets stubborn the moment people begin to play pranks or settle for under the table antics.
Mpidike would always remind you to place your cards on the table, defend a position based on strong logic and play by the rules. For some that allow their political life and engagement to be defined by self interest and promotion of myopic ideals, the totality of Oparadike’s political engagement was a great lesson in principles, great ideas, values that enrich the system and consensus building.
A good team player known to be fiercely loyal to friendship, it takes a great mind and a disciplined one for that matter, to appreciate his style and gravitas. Always ready and willing to give his best whenever challenged. Oparadike does not believe that he must be on top to contribute to the business of shaping the society, neither would he hold back simply because he is not the one calling the shots. Imo State and, indeed, Nigeria have lost a great mind, a workaholic and an Innocent politician and a good man.
He lived before his time and may not have been appreciated enough by the people that got the gift of him. In the words of Jerry Van Dyke, the best rose bush is not the one with the fewest thorns, but that which bears the finest roses.
If Innocent Oparadike were not the gentleman politician, he possibly could have been one of those politicians that would be running riot in Imo State, throwing their weight about and constituting themselves into a nuisance by dropping names everywhere. He preferred the simple life, taking things in his strides and consistently assisting in building consensus, holding out olive branch to all and preaching peace to all men on equal measure. On a deep reflection about life, using my dear friend, Innocent Oparadike as a point of contact, I came to the inescapable conclusion that men that understand the true meaning of life, that which promotes peace of mind and happiness, may indeed be having a good laugh at the ones that hold tight to the things of the world, playing God and believing that the end justifies the means. It was Francis Bacon who said, “The lame man who keeps the right road outstrips the runner who takes a wrong one… The more active and swift the latter is the further he will go astray.
Innocent Oparadike, in his short stay on earth, made remarkable marks as a great journalist and got to enviable heights in a profession he cherished dearly till death. In him, one saw resonance in the biblical teaching that the man of few words and settled mind is wise, which confirms the saying by John Mason that knowledge doesn’t speak loudly.
I have strong conviction that even though family and friends miss the exit of Innocent Oparadike especially at a time we need his wise counsel and robust intellectual engagement to deal with thorny political challenges in Imo State, he must be meeting the creator with smiles for leading a fulfilled life. Fulfillment to him goes beyond material acquisitions or the number of people one brings down in the course of climbing.
He was simply a man who believed in taking his time based on the dictates of God. Can we in all conscience say that he lacked in any form? Adieu Oparadyke, adieu Mpidike, may God strengthen your friends and family and grant your soul peace.
Ohakim is a former Governor of Imo State.