ERNIE ONWUMERE
Sunday, 29th August 2026, was a day of pleasant surprise for Sunday Oguaju.
What was billed as a routine lunch at the Officers’ Mess, Onitsha Cantonment, turned out to be a special event to recognize his selfless service and commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army in the drive to make Anambra a liveable and prosperous state, and in protecting lives and property.
As John F. Kennedy once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” On that Sunday, the Nigerian Army lived by those words.
In a ceremony that left many emotional, the *Commander, Col. Yakubu*, read out the citation and presented a *Plaque of Commendation* to Mr. Oguaju. The award bears eloquent testimony to the confidence *Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo*, placed in him when he gave the directive. The Governor believed Sunday was the right person for the job and charged him to go and support the military to serve _Ndi Anambra_.
Barely six months later, Sunday has delivered — to the glory of God.
As *Theodore Roosevelt* put it, _“It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”_ Sunday stepped into that arena, and he delivered.
As the citation was read and the plaque handed over, it became clear that this call to duty had made a real impact. The support has strengthened the military in its mandate to protect _Ndi Anambra_.
I can personally testify to the commitment and dedication that Sunny brings to service: honesty, selflessness, and a firm belief in the agenda of Mr. Governor, Prof. Soludo.
“Odenigbo, trust me, we are winning and the Military are committed.”
Hearing him speak the truth every day has made me an apostle of the cause. In my quiet moments I ask, “Can they see the burden he is carrying?”
*Winston Churchill* reminded us, _“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”_ Sunday has given his time, his energy, and his heart to the service of his people.
Today, thank God, the very constituency he serves — the Army — has recognized him.
It is also worth noting that service runs in his blood. Sunday’s father served in the military, and he grew up a “barrack boy,” having lived in *82 Division, Enugu*, *Ikeja Cantonment*, and other military formations. As *George Washington* said, _“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” Today, the Army is appreciating one of its own.
To me, this plaque means more than a Purple Heart to him. And watching the ceremony with his dear wife completed the story. She can now better understand the early mornings and late nights, and perhaps stop wondering and envying the lonely nights — those questions Lybrith sang in “Jealous”: “I am jealous of who you lay next to…”.
Congratulations, Sunday Oguaju — ‘Ogbuayaragu’ — my man of compassion, advocate of societal change, and humanitarian worker.
The Nigerian Army has spoken. Ndi Anambra are grateful.
And in the words of Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible until it is done.” Today, it is done.