By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Late Engr.Joseph Oyeyani Makoju.
The late Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Company,Engr.Joseph Oyeyani Makoju,has been described as a product of Egbira culture and traditional setting,one of the best of its kind in Africa.
A renowned historian and career Diplomat, Amb.Godknows Igali, stated this in Lokoja on Tuesday when he delivered the Inaugural lecture entitled" The Apogee of National Service and Vision For The Nigerian Power Sector: Reflections On The Life And Times Of Engr.(Dr.) Joseph Oyeyani Makoju, at the Federal University, Lokoja.
The guest lecturer,who situated the life and times of the deceased within the content and context of Egbira cultural, traditional and environmental setting, said late Makoju grew up in his nascent years to be absorbed into one of Africa's richest cultural traditions.
Amb.who disclosed that he did his national service in Egbiraland,45 years ago, described the Egbiras as people known for their tenacity, hard work and productive farming as exemplified by their agricultural exploits and contribution to food production in states such as Edo,Ondo among others.
"Unknown to many, the Egbira people are one of the greatest agriculturists in Nigeria," he said.
According to the historian,the Egbiras are members of once famous kwararafa empire that brought about different confederacies, culminating into multi ethnic nationalities where hard work,self reliance, strong and expression of thought independently held sway.
He also noted that the Egbiras are noted for religious tolerance, adding they co-exist peacefully with one another, irrespective of differences in religious inclination.
"The is the kind of setting where Makoju found himself. He did not see a difference,what he saw was humanity,he shunned materialism and focused on passion,love, perseverance and total service to humanity through out his life," the Ambassador recalled.
He commended the deceased for preparing himself, mentally and within the best of cultural and environmental setting to serve his father land to the best of his ability and transmitted such virtues to his children and others in the society.
He called on the people to emulate the enviable legacies of Engr.Makoju, described by many who came across in his journey of life as an iconic personality.
Our Correspondent reports that the Egbiras are located in the Central Senatorial district of kogi State with presence in Nasarawa, Plateau states and the FCT as well.
Late Makoju, who served as Special Adviser to three presidents in Nigeria with other managerial position in public and private sector of the Nigerian economy, died in 2022,aged, 74.
Our Correspondent reports that the matriach of Makoju family, the university community,led by the Vice Chancellor,Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, members of the Egbira community,top members of staff, Dangote Cement Company and other members of the public attended the occasion.
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