When someone near and dear to your heart turns another year older, you will want to do everything you can to make their day extra memorable. Chief Kenester Oteghekpen is one of such persons- kind, thoughtful, noble yet humble.
This piece is my feeble attempt to express my deepest appreciation to God for your life, yet; the words I dared to assemble are inadequate to describe you. The years have not dampened your spirit nor slowed your wit and joy and I doubt they ever will. It has been 81 years of living, learning, and loving with much to be admired. Frankly, it is an honor and a privilege to celebrate with you.
In contributing to your fatherland, you had an unblemished career in Edo state civil service. In the many decades you served, you made lasting impacts through your commitment and hard work touching innumerable lives on this incredible journey. In furtherance of your passion for an improved state, your professionalism, courage and unparalleled dedication paid off as you joined the Chief John Odigie Oyegun administration and years after, you were appointed as Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion. You got this far because of your hard work and God’s favor crowning all your efforts.
Your foray into politics has always been born out of your dream for a better Edo state and Nigeria as a nation. You have neither disappointed the progressive flank, nor derailed in your avowed commitment to the advancement of our beloved state. While you held your belief in ideological politics, you never allowed yourself to be driven by monetary benefits nor did you like many others, subject yourself to the easy way out of fraternizing with just any government in power. In the wake of promoting this ideal at popular eating spots for grass root politicians, you reigned for many years as the President of Igun parliament and today, you are the President of Ogbe parliament. As always, you will stand out and demand people oriented programs from every government.
As a friend, my experience with you is one I am very proud of. You have been awesome, unreservedly you have showered me with your love and support in every of my endeavor. I thank you for your guidance, your consistence, persistence, bravery and fearlessness.
In sports, you excelled as a great footballer. You were naturally fit; quick on the ball, a fine finisher, you possessed good technique and as a team player, you had the ability to set up your team-mates for eventual goals. With these attributes, you are easily likened to Mohammed Salah of Liverpool FC in modern football.
*_Old Man Boyo_*, the Nobabor of Benin kingdom, an immaculate dresser, a lover of good cars, a brilliant writer and public commentator; you are a trailblazer, a colossus in the jungle of life, an administrator par excellence, an erudite politician, a great leader, a rallying point, a good team player who has etched his name in gold and a source of inspiration to young minds as well as others who seek to understand how to make an impact with their lives. My family and I shall continuously celebrate you with glitz and fanfare.
Your life is a testament of the word of the Lord –
*“Even to your old age I am He and to grey hairs I will carry you. I have made and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”* Isaiah 46 verse 4.
As you celebrate, I pray for you, that as the years roll on, you will continue to be the wonderful person that you are to the glory of God. May the Lord increase your knowledge and wisdom and may He grant you good health. *Amen.*