Osy, the International Icon! Gone indeed but your angelic legacy lingers on. Born in Onitsha on December 30, 1955, his parents gave him the name Ositadimma-Odirizie gaba meaning “since it has started to be good, it will continue” reflecting the mood in the family at the time. Osita was born immediately after his father retired from the police force and ventured into a business that started to blossom.
Osy’s secondary education was to be delayed by the eventful Nigeria-Civil War of 1966 to 1970. However, despite the devastating effects of the war, his father was still determined to provide him with the best education that was available at the time. As such, Osy undertook his secondary school education at the famous Bubendorf Secondary School, Adazi from 1970 to 1975 and later proceeded to the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha for his higher school certificate. Osy was the first higher school student, who did not do his secondary school education at DMGS to be elected the Students’ Union President of the school.
From DMGS, he gained admission to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1982. At UNN, he was elected as a member of the Students’ Union Council.
After his National Youth Service at the National Assembly, Lagos in 1983, he got a job as a reporter and columnist for the Democratic Newspaper based in Kaduna. There, Osy worked for few months before he was offered appointment by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lagos in December, 1983. He rose through the ranks and received his first international posting to Hong Kong in 1990. In 1993, he returned to Nigeria. He was posted to the Protocol unit of the Presidential Lounge at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos where, he worked till his second international posting to the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to United Nations’ Headquarters in New York, USA in 1998. It was at the UN headquarters that he honed his skills and expertise as an international diplomat and negotiator.
He later returned to Nigeria, again, in 2002 and worked at the Ministry of External Affairs Headquarters in Abuja. Not quite long, a call came from the office of the then National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau demanding his services. He was there until his second stint at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2007. It was in Geneva that he retired from Civil Service
However, because of his invaluable expertise and experience, the then Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) decided to retain Osy as Strategic Adviser. He finally retired, honourably, from WIPO in 2018.
After his final retirement, he devoted his energy and time to research on human health. In fact, in 2020, he published a 684-paged book titled “Your micro-biome (bacteria) is a wonder of nature: Activate and Optimize -Eating longevity”.
After putting in his best in life and withholding none, Osy, surrounded by his family, friends and well wishers, joined the saints triumphant on 11th day of December, 2022.
It will be difficult to count the numerous numbers of people who will definitely miss this rare gem. Is it the hundreds of students who benefitted from his scholarship scheme which he established in memory of his father, Onwuzuligbo Paulinus Anaedu; Uzuanunu clan who enjoyed his annual largesse; St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Aguluzigbo where he was a financial and moral pillar; his wife, Janet Ukamaka Anaedu; his son and daughter or his seven siblings? There is no doubt that, Osy, the apple of God’s eye, is in peace and in heaven. Testimonies abound all over.
As we thank God for Osy’s gift to humanity, all roads will lead to his home town, Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area today April 13, for a wake keep and tomorrow 14th, for the burial ceremonies.
Osy, the International Icon, May your gentle soul rest in peace, Amen.
Written by LADY OBY VERO ONYENWE/
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