By Dr. Felix Ale
Losing a very beloved one is not only the most difficult and challenging moment in human life but a vacuum that can never be filled.
The sudden death of our great boss, the second substantive Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency(NASRDA) Professor Seidu Onailo Mohammed is not only painful, but will remain a sad commentary in the Space Agency and the community of space practice in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. While it is very difficult to say goodbye to this great son of Igala Kingdom following his sudden departure, the fact remains that we are pleased and comforted by his glorious achievement and service to humanity during his lifetime.
Hence my decision to pick up my pen as Spokesperson for the Nigeria Space agency where Professor Mohammed held sway as Director General between 2008 -2019 to reel out this special piece on behalf of the entire staff and management as a special tribute in honour and memory of our highly revered former digital Director General.
May I say at this juncture that, with the demise of the very outstanding Ogah Attah of Igala Kingdom, our hearts ache, our eyes leak and our souls mourn. Such a sad moment that changed forever, and forever is such a long time.
Our dear Prof. Mohammed, It saddens each and every one of us to come to terms with the reality that you have finally taken a bow and shall be seen no more. In bidding you farewell, it is imperative to state clearly that by your activities and glorious accounts, you had succeeded in digging deep into the ground with patience, determination and hard work and had gotten the gold of success of which its dimension knows no bound.
You brought to bear impressive tenacity and persistence to consolidate the historic achievements of your predecessor during your tenure as the second substantive Director General of our organization.
By your contribution to the Space Agency and Space development in Africa, you had, no doubt, transformed yourself to a developmental icon, a hallmark of excellence, an embodiment of hard work and a paragon of inspiration during your historic sojourn on the sands of time.
As human, no one is perfect in all things, but the fact remains that you did not only make the waves through your invaluable contributions as a distinguished scientist; but you brought to natural history of scientific research in the field of Space Science and Technology, a dedicated collection of facts that has made you a man of great erudition whose glorious achievements will continue to loom large in the history of Space Science and Technology in Nigeria and Africa.
You were truly an outstanding personality and it is hard to know where to begin to x-ray your achievements and talents. In your romance with destiny, you remained a living exponent of true creative originality, and your many attributes boiled down to two pervasive qualities – idea and energy – while your professional career was outstanding and astounding in both the scope of your activities and versatility.
You mastered almost a full armory of weapons and tools in a contemporary science community to earn the respect of intelligent persons and to the approval of honest critics. Your numerous achievements were widely recorded, reported and archived during your historic sojourn as the helmsman of the National Space Research and Development Agency.
The African Digest described NASRDA under your leadership as a national and continental monument for Nigeria and Africa.
The Guardian newspapers in one of its editions in 2011, eulogized NASRDA under your watch and described the successful launch of Nigeria Sat X as the first of its kind on the continent of Africa.
In a powerful editorial, Thisday newspapers also described the launch of Nigeria Sat X as the beginning of good luck and greater moments in the history of our great country; while Daily Trust in its analysis described the Nigeria satellite ground station as a great asset not only to Nigeria but the continent of Africa.
Tell, one of the leading Nigerian news magazines, took a critical overview of NASRDA during your tenure in its special edition captioned, “The Nigeria Space revolution”. The magazine clearly analyzed that your success story in NASRDA was a major feat in the nation’s quest in the utilization of space technology for socio-economic development.
Also in one of its publications the Punch newspapers opined that, with the giant strides recorded by NASRDA under your leadership it was clear and direct that Nigeria has the human capacity to pioneer the course of history in the area of technological advancement in Africa.
The Nigerian Tribune in a special feature entitled “Space technology and environment”, commended NASRDA’s management under your leadership describing the numerous efforts as key to National development.
Again in August 2012, Guardian newspapers dwelled extensively on NASRDA’s achievements with an inspiring caption “NASRDA flies high”. The paperwork started by saying there is a Zulu adage which aptly characterizes Professor S.O. Mohammed, “Speak Softly” it says “but carry a big stick”, that was Mohammed’s style. Soft-spoken and reticent, he speaks almost in a whisper even though NASRDA now has quite a loud lot to shout about.
The then anchorman for Guardian newspapers, Obatala went further to declare Professor Mohammed as a distinguished scientist and indeed a round peg in a round hole.
In one of its publications the Wisdom Magazine in faraway United Kingdom, x-rayed the impressive performance and achievements of NASRDA, saying you were not only in charge but fully on course.
The African Mast International magazine was not left out, as the media outfit eulogized the founding fathers of the Space Agency and described you as the right man for the job.
The story was same in the electronic media across the globe. The editorial team of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was on ground to see things for themselves, and the visit metamorphosed into a special report on the success story of NASRDA.
The Al Jazeera Television also came calling for a spotlight on NASRDA under your leadership where they described the achievements recorded as not only strategic in Africa, but a good story to tell about Nigeria and Nigerians.
The story was not different when the African bureau Chief of CNN, Eleni Giokos led a team of editorial staff of the global media organization on inspection tour of NASRDA under your watch. It was yet another inspiring report and analysis for a job well done.
We can go on and on, reeling out commendable and positive analysis and headlines from electronic and print media that characterized your activities during your service years as Director General of NASRDA.
By your glorious accounts, you did not only succeed in firing our inspiration, but you remarkably distinguished yourself as a pride to your generation and humanity as a whole.
Therefore, saying a final goodbye to a boss like you could be very painful, but your noble accounts will remain imperishable, and your inspiring story will continue to loom large.
I recall with nostalgia the good moments I personally shared with you during your historic tenure as NASRDA boss. Even after your retirement, the relationship continued. I never knew it was my last moments with you when you recently requested me to prepare your citation for an event where you were being honored with an award.
I did as you requested, and designated my colleague, Ita-Okon to present the citation at the unique occasion but surprisingly at the final stage of reading your citation you quickly sent for me and requested that I personally present the citation to the august gathering. Your successor and the incumbent Director General of NASRDA who was rightly seated by your side at the occasion, watched with admiration as you gently communicated to me that “Ale, My citation must be read by you” Alas little did I know that was the last assignment I will be carrying out for you and, the last citation in your honour before your final exit. This is indeed very painful to me.
There is no gainsaying the fact that you have successfully completed your race in the game of life, and you have now transformed to what God has promised the righteous “New Heavens and New earth where righteousness will be at home”
Igala Kingdom is home to remarkable people. It is also home to leaders and men of great virtue and values of whom you will forever remain one. By your painful exit, Prof, a legend is gone. Indeed a legend is gone, gone from all the agonies and pains of this world. The trajectory of your life was both inspirational and interesting. By all standards, you were a pride to your generation and humanity in general. You were a rare gem, a mentor and very unique personality.
You were like an eagle flying high among others, but never getting dizzied by altitude. You knew who you were, and gave your best to humanity.
You were an amiable father, a loving husband, a community leader and a man of the people. You remained in close touch with your people at the grassroots and your numerous visits to the Igala kingdom as well as your aspirations to represent them after your civil service career was a great testimony to this. Your historic conferment with the highly exalted traditional title of Ogah Attah Igala by the Paramount ruler and prescribed authority of Igala Kingdom-The Attah Igala speaks volume of who you were, and your love as well as life of service to your people and humanity in general.
In your lifetime, you were no doubt celebrated by your people, revered by you admirers and applauded by your friends.
By all standards, you will remain evergreen in the annals of human history and the Chronicle of great men with adorable penchant for excellence.
By no small measure can you be described as an ordinary man, you were a man distinctly created by God and blessed with a cerebral mind.
To all of us in NASRDA, the contributions that you made are invaluable, your dedication is immeasurable and your guidance is priceless. The wisdom you shared during our numerous meetings were profound, and your usual daily tonic of Igala idiomatic expressions can never be forgotten so soon. The light of your love and the warmth of your presence will always be precious memories.
Today, the applause belongs to you and the ovation is yours. You have fought a good fight, you have finished the course, you have kept the faith and you have transmuted from death to life.
Our dear Mohammed, by your final exit, your song is ended but your melody lingers on.
The glorious echoes of your past will continue to reverberate for reference, discourse and profound appreciation of who you were. You may be gone from our sight but you are never gone from our hearts.
Prof, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. May the wind always be in your favour, and the deer be numerous and curious wherever you are now.
Sleep warm Prof!
Sleep tight our great boss!!
Sleep well our one and only Professor Seidu Onailo Mohammed!!!
DR. FELIX ALE: HEAD, MEDIA AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATION NASRDA.
