Written by:
Ochoga E. Ochoga, Ph.D (Secretary General, Ai-Ochoga Family)
It is a great honor for me to get to know and draw from the vast knowledge of a renowned pan-Idomanist, touchstone, legal luminary, and wise person like Chief (Barr.) John Agbaji Attah Ochoga (Akpa-olofu and Life Bencher). He is a man of conviction who has masked his bravery, honesty, and selflessness in the soil of Ado, Idoma land, Benue State, and Nigeria as a whole. I am fortunate to have come across a man deserving to be eulogized for his numerous admirable qualities and significant contributions to his society.
He was born on 7th August, 1953 at Otukpo, Benue State to the aristocratic family of Chief Michael Attah Ochoga and Chief (Mrs.) Grace Agbaji Ochoga. Chief Michael Attah Ochoga was the king of Agila Kingdom (Otse- Agila XVI) between 1955 and 1957, Chief Judge of Idoma Division, and First Executive Chairman Ado Local Government Council. And his Grandfather, the progenitor of the Ai-Ochoga, Chief Ochoga Ochonu (Ots’ Agila XII ) was an Agila king from 1902 to1905; one of the foremost kings of Agila Kingdom.
He started his elementary school at Wesley High School, Otukpo from 1966 to 1970; and proceeded to Boys Secondary School, Gindiri in 1971 and finished in 1973. Chief (Barr.) John A.A Ochoga had his LL.B, from University of lfe,lle-lfe, between l973 and 1976 where his brilliant academic records stands out among his contemporaries. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos for his B.L between 1976 and 1977, and he was called to Barr as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1997. Thus, by this year he is forty seven years of post called to bar. This divine blessings worth thanking God for several reasons.
Barrister Ochoga in 1983, when he was thirty years old, served as a commissioner for the local government, trade, and industry ministries in Benue State. His signature personality just appeared in that first instance of public service. He served as the Benue State Local Government Service Commission’s chairman from 2001 to 2005. He was a member of the Benue State Judiciary Service Commission. He was chosen by President Mahammudu Buhari to lead the Visitation Team at Federal Polytechnic. He participated actively in the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Peoples Democratic Party, National Republican Convention, and Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP). Currently, he is an honorable and valuable member of the All Peoples Congress (APC), and he worked hard to ensure that the APC was able to free Benue State from the constraints of incompetence in the recently concluded general elections. Even the most abstract political philosophers are affected by the social climate of their time.
Thus, Chief Ochoga’s candid outlook on life served as the inspiration for his political philosophies. He always tells the story as it actually happened. He lacks the skills necessary to “publish a lizard to make it look handsome”. His personality describes him as a “down to earth” person. does not, for any reason, hide the truth. Regardless of the repercussions, he speaks truth to power. He has a “down to earth” personality. Doesn’t lie to get any kind of satisfaction. Despite .the repercussions, he speaks the truth to authority.
Chief (Barr.) John A. A Ochoga possesses these extraordinary qualities. His political involvement is profoundly influenced by the following ideological metaphors: (i) Politics as a community service; (ii) Let the system work; and (iii) Integrity is First. .(i) Politics as a public service: He contends that if politics is a struggle for power, then that power should be used for the benefit of all parties since democratic government is centered on the needs of the populace.
He always argue that those in positions of political authority should use their positions to advance humanity. This is his philosophical foundation, which explains why he has never been accused of engaging in corrupt behavior in his public and political engagements.
(ii) *Let the system work*: This philosophical inclination advocates removing or/and separating personal interest from or affection for public life and institutions without personalizing official positions. He adheres to the idea that rules of engagement should be followed without abusing the established order. The philosophy he has exemplified in his public and administrative life institutionalizes meritocracy, fairness, justice, and zeal in public service. While discouraging subpar performance, injustice, and a counterproductive approach to public service.
*(iii) Integrity Comes First*: He feels that his family name, “OCHOGA,” which was passed down to him by patients, must be preserved and not be tarnished on the altar of corruption or any other kind of misgivings. This philosophy promotes investing value in “good name” rather than riches at the expense of civic engagement, which is the core of politics. Chief (Barr.) John A. A. Ochoga continued to provide unequal services to his local area, his tribe, his state, and the country.
Himself and Chief Audu Ogbeh nurtured the idea of Apa State creation along with other Idoma elites. He also served as the movement’s Secretary General in 1994, when the Apa State movement was first launched. The movement that has grown to be a constant burden and challenge for all Idoma offerings across all generations. This initiative effect is commendable. The Idoma people were greatly favored during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, as evidenced by the federation’s at least four military governors and other important appointments. Professor Isawa Jonah Elaigwu conceptualized the idea of “Idoma Day” at this time in order to complement the status of the Idoma nation in Nigeria and study Idoma influence in the country. Therefore, the first “Idoma Day” was created and organized in 1988 by Professor Isawa Jonah Elaigwu. Chief Ochoga served as the secretary of late Dr. Edwin Obe’s Committee, which organized “Idoma Day” in 1988.
He was also in charge of introducing the traditional Idoma red and black clothing, which has since become the most lucky and fashionable color that complements all jewelry. Because red and black are associated with the spirit of love and the marital goddess of Idoma land (Ihotu goddess), no couple in Idoma land has ever been married without any mention of the color scheme. The colors of love, peace, and socialization are emitted by the Idoma people. The colors of the Idoma people, which have been adopted as their national and international symbol. The same sacred Red and Black Idoma emblem was to be given to more than one color and subjected to a rebirth controversy.
When Idoma Day was first celebrated in 1988 at the Ochidoma Palace in Otukpo, Agabidu, His Royal Highness. Ajene Okpabi, Ochidoma, the Second, and the Idoma Area Traditional Council unveiled the Red and Black Idoma colors.
His people have benefited from these tasks and services, which is deserving of admiration Barrister Ochoga, a person of many good qualities, is a powerful presence in the Nigerian legal system thanks to his ascent to the position of Life Bencher, the highest honor bestowed by the Nigerian Bar Association. He is one of the most senior distinguished legal figures in charge of formally inviting those aspiring to practice law in Nigeria to the bar and serving in the first position on the bar. Barrister Ochoga has the highest privileges available to the most senior lawyer in Nigeria, which has propelled him to the pinnacle of his field. If Barrister Ochoga is in any court in Nigeria, his case must be mentioned out of turn. He is a Four Star General who works as a Life Bencher for the Nigerian Body of Benchers.
By himself, he elevated the Otukpo branch of the Nigerian Bar Association to the group of top Bar Associations in Nigeria. When it comes to politics, he was appointed Commissioner Ministries of Local Government, Trade, and Industries at a very young age after being identified as a rising star. He was the commissioner who was the youngest.
The philosophy of letting the system work through a series of reforms in the Commission was exemplified by him as Chairman of the Benue State Local Government Service Commission. Barrister Ochoga served as a member of the Benue State Judicial Service Commission and the Esu Nupe-led Presidential Technical Committee on Local Government Reform in Nigeria. The local government system in Nigeria today was inspired by their report.
His idea of politics is unique; he views it as a way to help the populace develop as well as a chance to help them and further what is morally and rightfully justifiable. He is a political leader with a lot of guts, conviction, and courage. His wisdom and proclivity toward democracy give him a unique perspective on politics and democracy, and these qualities always place him in the right place.
He stands out among his peers because he is motivated by the values of political justice and integrity. Chief (Barrister) John A.A. Ochoga’s political influence is further demonstrated by the fact that he was involved in the formation of any of the Benue State governments that have come into existence since 1999.
Furthermore, any delicate appointments in the State greatly benefit from his political sensitivity. Any political party or individual who wants to win an election must have him on their team as a political strategist. As an honorable, respectable, and especially altruistic person who prioritized the advancement of the people and the institutions over personal advancement and nepotism, Chief Ochoga stood out in a political environment where selfishness and greed are pervasive.
He had never been found to be corrupt in any of the positions he had the opportunity to hold because he worked hard, is honest, and held himself accountable. Despite the opportunities he had, it took him a long time to construct his own home in Otukpo. He never had any influence over the political careers of members of his own Ochoga family, but he was responsible for many Ado sons and daughters who are now in positions of power.
Chief Ochoga is a very kind man who is always prepared to use his resources, both human and material, to realize public goods. Apa-Agila is regarded as the patriarch of his community because he gave jobs to numerous people both inside and outside of his own because he personally fed many of his kinsmen’s wives over the years. His influence continues to serve as a milestone in the growth and history of Apa-Agila and Agila in general.
The relocation and resettlement of the displaced Agila royal families from Agila to New Jerusalem, Apa-Agila, was greatly aided by Chief Ochoga, who, like his father for the Agila after the civil war, played a significant role.
The history of the growth of Agila and Apa-Agila, like that of his father, Ogaba-Idu Chief Michael Attah Ochoga (Otse- Agila, XVI), would never be completed without mentioning the efforts and sacrifices of Chief John A. A. Ochoga. It makes sense why the Agila Traditional Council confound on him with the title of Akpa-olufo. A title that accurately describes his tenacious character.
He is an iroko tree, after all, and is too strong to be tripled by a storm or just wind. His political philosophies include Integrity is First, Let the System Work, and Politics as a Community Service exemplified his personality.
On Behalf of A1-Ochoaga Family, I say cheers to our leader.
Ochoga E. Ochoga, Ph.D (Secretary General, Ai-Ochoga Family)
7/8/24
