THE CULTURAL AMBASSADOR, Hon. Wajeed Obomeghie Celebrates @52 Despite All Odds

By AZAKA AUGUSTINE OHIOLE

Life is a big challenge. And you either fight or be fought. To fight, many things are at stake, because, it denotes your readiness to take the active position for your life. That is, you're assuming the driver post of your destiny. Of course, this comes with lots of confrontations. One, you will be misunderstood; two, you will be criticized; three, you will be rejected. 

From the foregoing, you can indicate that to fight in this world may be a dangerous, life-threatening, and panic-stricken adventure. The very reason it is a road less travelled. By demonstrating an interest to fight, the world immediately marks you out as a threat. The consequences are that you will welcome blows from people you do not fight, and bullets from guns you do not trigger. Automatically, the world becomes a war zone.

On the other hand, to be fought is to agree to take the passive position for your life. It means to surrender your steering wheel into the hands of another person. While this may be a comfortable alternative as it gives you the chance to sleep off, its effects are lethal. And though many people cherish this option, the true winners detest it. Of course, the reason the true winners are known as the Odd Fellows of the Society. They don't conform to the pattern of this world. Rather, they are daring, creative, adventurous, and inventive. This perfectly describes the personality of Wajeed Obomeghie, fondly called The Cultural Ambassador.

That he is called today The Cultural Ambassador speaks volumes. Wajeed who was born on the 14th day of March, 1969 into the Obomeghie family of Iyekhei Village, Auchi, Edo State did not study culture related courses in his undergraduate days. Though when he was in the high school at Our Lady of Fatimah College, Auchi, he made excellent grade in History despite being a science student; hence, he studied Mechanical/Production Engineering and Mechanical Engineering (Plant/power option) from Auchi Polytechnic, 1989 and Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, 1994 respectively. 

The implication was to see him becoming either a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in one of the universities or a professional mechanical engineer after over two decades of obtaining his HND. But as time revealed, he neither was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering nor professional Mechanical Engineer, rather, Wajeed did the daring; he abandoned the pathway of his youth which the society forced on him and took to a route very novel and less lucrative. This eventually led him to establish in the year 2000 Wadorm Communications Nig. Ltd, a vanguard firm in info-marketing, publishing advertising and ICT provision with branches in Benin City, Auchi and Abuja FCT.

By this shift, Wajeed demonstrated to the world that he prized happiness over comfort which the lucrative job of civil service would have offered him. Otherwise, he could not have followed his new passion of becoming a Cultural historical Researcher, Media Practitioner, and publisher. Wajeed is today the Author and publisher of the celebrated book: The Benin-Ife Controversy; Clash of Myths and Origins. with other great fantastic inspirational and historical works such as: FRAGMENTS OF HISTORY IN THE BENIN-AFENMAI RELATIONS, BEFORE & AFTER 1897 AD, Countdown to Jonathan’s 100 Days in Aso Rock Villa: Polemical Echoes of A Nigerian President; Manhood Initiation Festival in Auchi Kingdom; NIDELPIDIA- Tourism Exposure of Nigeria Delta; Auchi Kingdom: Twenty Decades of Ikelebe Dynasty; Auchi: The Making of A Modern City; Unleash your inspiration: Anthology of Highly Motivational Stories and Poems; 33 Best Folklore of Afenmai Land; Traditional Rulers of Afenmai Land Special Souvenir (Published since 2001 till date).

As a natural consequence of his burning desire to touch the editorial-cum-diplomatic echelon of his publishing dreams, he proceeded to the prestigious International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Abuja where he obtained his PGD in (Public Relations/Advertising) in 2012. Being a member of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) FCT Council and Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) Benin City Chapter, Wajeed is a commissioned biographer to very prominent national elites.

In relation to his passion, he is a lover of progress; hence he is not the wise man whom according to Plato forgets politics in the hands of fools. It was this passionate involvement in politics to bring about the transformation he desired for his people that placed him in the same tent with the die-hard Buharists worldwide. He was the Edo State Vice Chairman, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Edo-North and the candidate for House of Assembly Member, Etsako-West Constituency 1 in 2011, currently the Edo North Chairman, Buhari Youth Organization (BYO) (2014 till date), the President of BYO Multi-purpose Co-operative Society Ltd, (2015 till date) and the V/Chairman of Buhari Support organization, Edo State Chapter. A founding member, Community for Peace and Corruption free society, Nigeria.

As a social Nigerian, belonging to many organizations such as Rotary Club International, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Benin Recreation Club, Benin City, Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi Old Boys’ Association (OLOFOBA), Etsako Club 81, and Auchi Allied Association (AAA), the National Vice President, Kaduna Polytechnic Alumni Association, KPTAA amongst others, Wajeed is committed to the goal of brightening his little corner as best as he can through his educational empowerment Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Ado Foundations, where he is the President which sole goal is for the provision of free educational resources and empowerment to the less privileged. 

He is the current NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, KADUNA POLYTECHNIC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. Meanwhile his quest for an empowered society has led him to donate a large consignment of rare collections of books to the ISA KAITA LIBRARY OF THE KADUNA POLYTECHNIC in February 2020. Besides, he produced and donated top quality branded materials to the NEXCOS of the Alumni while he declared a free membership registration Bonaza to all prospective members of the Alumni from the South South states 

As a very sociable networker within all strata the Alumni Association, Wajeed has chaired and participated at various committees to promote the policy formulation and implementation in the area of capacity building and general progress and prosperity of KPTAA and Kaduna Polytechnic in general while he is actively involved in the top leadership caucus of decision making in the affairs of the ALUMNI.

Amongst his love is music. No wonder he spent most of his youthful days in the business of DJing from Edo state to Kaduna. While the Rastafarian movement worldwide recognized this love, they handed him the responsibility to chair the movement in Abuja Chapter of the Federation. It is thus no surprise that Wajeed is a partner in the promotion for the upgrade branding of branding the Spider FM radio station of Kaduna Polytechnic.

This bibliophile who has acquired more rare books than many off today's local bookshop is happily married to a COREN Registered Telecommunications Engineer, Alhajia Engr. MariamObomeghie (MNSE), a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Auchi. She is the Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineer (NSE), Auchi Branch. They are blessed with two children: Doctor Majeed and Queen Laillah Obomeghie.