By Foster Obi
“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” —–Martin Luther King Jr., ‘A Testament of Hope.’
William Shakespeare, the greatest writer in English language and world’s greatest dramatist, in one of his famous plays, ‘The Twelfth Night’, wrote, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Dr Onyinye Kay Rufus-OBI, a woman of great virtue falls within the first group.
Right from childhood, she knew she had a date with history and that her destiny has a lot to do with meeting peoples’ needs.
What she did not know was the form it was going to take.
In her make-up, she had also discovered her joy comes from making people happy, and had also once confessed, “there is this peace I have when people are happy.” Talk about that peace that passeth all understanding.
The modern give-aways has been popularized as a political tool for publicity stunt, that any of such act of kindness? is splashed all over Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp etal for people to see, but Dr Onyinye started give-aways many years ago with no single publicity.
Most widows, women in general, orphans and those economically challenged will forever remember her for these kind gestures. Yet it is God that rewards our giving.
If we started seeing such acts in the media today it is because people asked for it and sometimes because of doubting thomases.
But it’s a great blessing to have such a burning desire for the welfare of others.
Most people that achieved greatness in life lived sacrificially—From Moses to Mandela or Jesus to our own Julienne Lusenge.
It is not really about being rich but a willingness to make a difference. Don’t forget that not all the rich you see are generous. Infact some are known to live for themselves alone.
Early in life, Dr Onyinye learnt from her Father, the late Rufus Obi, who founded famous Rufus Obi Chemist that you should put the people first.
The Abia state we know today came into existence because people like her late father were among the front runners that championed the cause sacrificially. The light her father sparked many years ago has grown to become a burning fire in her heart, prompting her to keep it alive. Its all about people.
Making up her mind for this task, did not come in a day. She had wanted to play at the unseen background of liberating people without much ado. But destiny said no.
She has been approached so many times to come out for the sake of the people but each time she refused. Thank God for reason that took over emotion this time.
But now she is out, not just like others but with a burning desire to make a great difference.
Having offered to represent Isuikwuato/Umunneochi at the federal House of Representatives is very cheering to the constituents.
Many people feel its about time. Isuikwuato on its own has been marginalised.
The people gave out the mandate in all fairness and for equity but for four terms that mandate has been held tight by the one who had it, while Isuikwuato with great sons and daughters has remained simply an observer.
This is why the people applauded when Dr Onyinye threw the hat in the ring.
Umunneochi has tried, let Isuikwuato also take its turn. The people are not asking for too much.
Let us promote fairness and not, “vaulting ambition which overleaps itself and falls on the other. “
Former President of United States, John Kennedy said, “I’m interested in two things. I’m interested in truth and I’m interested in fairness.”
Now that our sister, Dr Onyinye Obi has decided to come out to liberate the people, she should be given maximum support.
Let us take advantage of her great qualities now that she is offering it selflessly. The time to do it is now. Calling on all Umunneochi/Isuikwuato citizens to support their own, irrespective of the party she belongs. They will be the happiest for it.
DR ONYINYE PROFILE
Dr Onyinye Kay Rufus-OBI is the Managing Director and CEO of Ureccon Ltd and Home Essentials Ltd and sits on the board of several companies including Mogjan Nig Ltd.
Mogjan is executing the security of the railways in Nigeria. She is also on the board of Rufus OBI Chemists and Co Ltd, a 48 year old pharmaceutical company owned by her late father, an Oxford University UK graduate and trained Pharmacist – Rufus U. Obi.
She is a seasoned Optometrist from the prestigious University of Benin, Nigeria.
She had her master class certificate from London Graduate School.
Dr Onyinye Kay Rufus- OBI is an astute and experienced business gold fingered Mogul and Entrepreneur, who works tirelessly to fuel developmental progress through her extensive work with the people in authority and leaders in government. She has since successfully executed projects that served as catalysts for great developmental strides in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Amazingly, she is currently working on providing security on the newly established railroad lines across Nigeria to solve the problem of vandalism and threat to lives and property on the railways.
She is a kind hearted philanthropist and kingdom financier whose life’s missions is to empower less privileged communities.
Her works and interventions have assisted thousands in improving on their standards of living.
In 2019, she was appointed the Executive Special Assistant Finance to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission. She aided the agency in the enrichment of the oil producing Niger Delta region of Nigeria in ways too numerous to mention and got a lot of projects injected into the NDDC budget for Abia State with special emphasis on Isuikwuato Local Govt Area for 3 consecutive years.
She is indeed an ICON. A daughter of Zion with tremendous, inborn love for her people.
Most of all, she is a very devoted and dedicated mother to her children.
FOSTER OBI is Editor, DFCnewsng.com
