By Orobosa Omo-Ojo JP
The Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes 3, reminds us that: “For everything there is a season. A time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.”
I believe this is the time for an admirable man – Hon. Jude Ise-Idehen, the quintessential tough, strong, silent, and self-contained Federal Legislator to go home.
Even with the reality of Ecclesiastes, death does not take away good name, with good works. Jude has done very, very well and so, this death will not take away his name.
Until his death, July 1, 2022, he represented Egor/Ikpoba-Okha in the ‘Green Chambers’, in the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives. He had previously served as a legislator in Edo State House of Assembly, where he represented Ikpoba Okha Constituency.
According to reports on his demise, his heart failed. But those that had the opportunity to feel and witness Jude’s resounding lifestyle, will attest to a fact that, he was not a lily-livered man – whenever the assignment required men of valour.
Jude, your heart left your body because, “…the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.”
On record, the gentle-giant legislator represented the missing political tripod that he worked so hard to etch on the minds of his contemporaries and younger politicians. Jude was always a true party man, in all his political sojourns.
As a devout Catholic, Jude exhibited the teachings of the seven virtues that affects us in the material and the spiritual aspects of life. He showed the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, as well as the virtues of hope and charity.
He was born into the family of Sir George OtutuIse-Idehen (KSM, KSS, JP) and Lady Clara EnoyozeIse-Idehen on the 7th of June, 1969. He attended Emotan Primary School, Benin City and started his high school training at Immaculate Conception College and subsequently proceeded to the University of Benin Demonstration Secondary School (UDSS), Benin City.
I met the distinguished legislator during the troubling political days in our quest to rescue the wrecked ship in 2007.
Jude was one of the younger, fanatical, uncompromising zealots that emerged on Edo State political scene. Polished, poised, having a composed and self-assured manner. I paid a particular attention to his ‘politics without bitterness’. There were few others, too, who showed similar emulating traits.
He got introduced by Osarodion Ogie Esq, Secretary to Edo State Government, who then, was the Secretary to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole Campaign Organization, where I served as a Director. His peaceful amenable character nurtured our relationship.
Certainly, Nigeria, Edo State and in particular, Ikpoba Okha and Egor have lost a good man of virtue, who derived his happiness and pleasure from that virtue.
Hon. Jude Ise-Idehen, lives in our memory!