Kogi State: Remembering Steven Makoji Achema 23 years after

It was Saturday, the 6th November 1999 – a visiting day at Federal Government College Kwali, Abuja. A typically joyous day for any young student and many of us were expecting our parents and relatives with eager eyes.

It was meant to be an eventful day until news filtered in that Kogi State and indeed Nigeria had lost a great political sage Dr. Steven Makoji Achema to the cold hands of death in an unfortunate road accident.

Many of us then at Ikenga House – myself, Sunday Oghayei, Martins Onwuegbu, Ekpeyong Omori decided to keep the news to ourselves and not break it to our brother Ojima Achema (Dr. Achema’s son) until it was officially announced.

As was expected, Ojima and indeed everyone around him were devastated by the shocking passage of Dr. Achema. A lot has happened since that day. Kogi State, which many of your peers like Sunday Awoniyi and AT Ahmed fought for, has continued to grow and witness tremendous transformation especially during the reign of his Excellency: Governor Yahaya Bello.

On this day, as we celebrate and remember your illustrious life and time here on earth, we also wish to commend and eulogize your dedicated work and efforts which led to the creation of Kogi State.

Drawing inspiration from your selfless life, I and many others  have decided to stand on your legacy and continue to strive in building a better Kogi for all. As a wise man once said, to die, and continue to live on in the hearts of men, is not to die.

Continue to rest in the bosom of the Almighty God.

Dr. Sanusi Ohiare

Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund Rural Electrification Agency