Judging by the attention gained world-wide by this video, the man of the moment is Prince Boniface Offokaja. Since this epic and iconic piece of history recorded in the video, Offokaja’s achievements have included:
- Breaking the news of Biafra’s Declaration of Independence to the world
- Working with AFP as a War Correspondent reporting from the battle front
- His colleagues included the famous author Frederick Forsyth who was also a world-renowned activist-journalist
- He was in President Gowon’s statehouse media crew at the Organization Of African Unity, OAU summit in Kampala, Uganda when Gowon was toppled by President Muritala Muhammed. The attention of Nigeria and the rest of the world turned to Gowon’s statehouse media crew for news on whether Gowon would accept the power-change or refuse to recognise it…
- Initiating University Of The Air in partnership with the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu. Many are recorded to have become graduates using that opportunity
- Building a television and radio station in Onitsha for the Anambra Broadcasting Service without government assistance. The station became extremely profitable; and became the headquarters of the state broadcaster the moment the new Anambra State was created
- Interviewing great statesmen like President Nnamdi Azikiwe, and governors like Michael Okpara, Administrator Ukpabi Asika, Governor Jim Nwobodo, Military Administrator Rufai Garuba…
- Providing an incubative platform for the political career of future Senate President Chuba Okadigbo by interviewing him severally
- Providing incubative platform for Zebrudaya’s New Masquerade Comedy by airing the program before it’s popularity spread
- Providing transformative professional training geared towards making all staff of ABS – from driver to manager to gardener to secretary capable of running the station if need be
- Providing 13th month salary for ABS staff…
And many other achievements too numerous to mention… Let us continue to celebrate this great man, so that future leaders may gain inspiration from him. A treasure to any nation. He may no longer be with us now, but to watch what he was like, click any of the video links above.
I wish i had met him.
He was one in a billion.
Indeed
He was a true son of the soil. Igbo Amaka
Igbo Amaka o!
I am weeping for Igbos. It is remarkable that at 16 Offokaja could synthesize and conceptualize global and regional issues with the expertise of a veteran statesman with delivery skills of an orator and emotional composure of a colossus. I weep because the rest of the world appear to be in agreement that the Igbo should not be allowed a place to put in good use their intellect. Regrettably, our African brothers are used to achieve this.
E reach to cry.
Wallahi!
Just came across this piece, never knew who he was until today, awed with the way the young Late Offokaja demonstrated an affluence of knowledge about the then African politics, one could visibly see the passion in his voiceand gesticulations as an African and one who wants the best for the oneness of the African people, these are persons who were meant to be political rulers. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
BONIFACE OFOKAJA IS A MASTER DEBATER ,LITERARY GENRE
THIS TYPE OF IGBO INTELECT ARE NO LONGER AROUND . HE WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED IN THE WORLD STAGE AS AN ELOQUENT, BRIGHT YOUNG ADULT WHO GAVE HIS COUNTRY NIGERIA A GREAT REPRESENTATION IN THE WORLD STAGE. GREAT MAN
CHIAZOR OPARAH.
U.S.A.
He was a blessing. A light. An unforgettable star of African dignity and brilliance. A sign of what Africa can still be if only…
The white south African was shock and devastated. I wish you’re still alive…
It’s simply remarkable to see a Nigerian with a large heart for Africans debating with all intellectual prowess; the way forward from Africa’s setbacks. He is an erudite scholar of tested academic integrity. We missed his kind in our world.
Awe inspiring! What an orator! Sleep on wise one.
When the chips are down Nigeria the zoo , Africa and the neocolonialist blocks will accept and inevitably appreciates the Igbo man’s potential and her natural expectations to do more towards making humanity better and pushing Africa in considerations of global influence and decisions . The solace here is that he died a Biafran . Goodnight phenomenal of a senior brother . Ka chi fuo Sir !
A giant amongst dwarfs..adieu..RIP
Boniface Offokaja was an impressive Nigerian scholar at 16 years of age. He was a great communicator, debator, highly poised, and an ambassador of what is possible regardless of age, ethnicity, etc when we utlize wisely
education, learning and GOD given talents. Hope young people will watch the debate and be motivated by all the young participants who confirmed that we can make a lasting and positive impact when we are prepared, knowledgeable, confident, well-spoken, and passionate in a good way about global affairs. Rest in peace. North American debate watcher. 2021
I Hope You Reincarnate.
This was a rare gem, a rarity in the rarefied atmosphere of academics. You live in our hearts.
Great men like this are supposed to be celebrated always and are not to be forgotten