Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
It was truely an exciting moment for the family of Chief Orngu Mellah JP, the immediate past Clerk of Taraba State House of Assembly.
The family had earlier set aside this day, 26th May, 2027 to specifically thank, honour and appreciate God for keeping and protecting Mellah throughout the 38 years he served in the civil service of Taraba State.
Accordingly, Universal Reformed Christian Church (URCC), fondly called NKST, Mayo-Dasa Jalingo, was filled to capacity with men of God and top political demagogues who accompanied the retired clerk for the special thanksgiving. This was more so that the event coincided with a Combined Service of the church organized to climaxed the activities that marked the English Service Week of the church.
Addressimg the congregation, Chief Orngu Mellah JP, appreciated God for granting him the previlage to serve Taraba State in the Civil Service for a period of 38 years and retired successfully.
Chief Orngu noted that he joined the Civil Service in 1985 in the then Gongola State where he was recruited as a class teacher and posted to serve in Mubi. He later got his second job as Legislative Officer, Gongola State and later Taraba State House of Assembly in 1989.
He said he had moved patiently and steadily across the ranks up to the position of the Deputy Clerk and Head of Legislative Affairs, Taraba State House of Assembly Jalingo in November, 2000. And in 2018, he was confirmed the 4th Substantive Clerk of the House.
“In all these positions and many more, God was really faithful to me. He protected me as I travelled across the length and breath of this plannet and he shielded my family and I all through the days I was in service. I have nothing to offer God that will be commensurate with his goodness upon my life and my family. All we can say is we are grateful Oh God,” Chief Mellah emphasised.
In a sermon at the occasion, the resident pastor of NKST Church, Mayo-Dasa Jalingo, Rev O M Amah, who preached on the topic “the time to return is now”, charged christians to totally submit themselves to God and follow his ways in order to attract God’s blessings and kingdom.
The Rev who read from Luke 15:20 and Isaiah 30:15 challenged christians who are still wallowing in the affairs of the world to flee from the world and return to God whose arms are always ready to receive His repentant children.
At a glamorous reception, which followed the special thanksgiving cum combined Service of the church at the celebrant’s house, the chairman of the occasion, Dr Philip Duwe appreciated God for the life of the celebrant, describing him as a patriotic citizens who had served his father land for 38 years without blemish.
Dr Duwe charged the people of Taraba state especially christians, to emulate Chief Orngu Mellah and never allow tribes to overshadow their love of God, adding that humility and care for others irrespective of their tribes are cardinal values that attract God’s favour any where they exist
The ex-speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, Professor Joseph Albasu Kunini, described Chief Orngu Mellah, as a gentleman and a great assert to Taraba State. He lauded his loyalty, patience and faithfulness as well as commitment to responsibilities and prayed that God should preserve him.
“Mr Orngu Mellah is a true democrat. He is a true epitome of patience who can endure all forms of injustice. While working in the State House of Assembly, Chief Mellah was due for the position of substantive clerk 12 years back before he was even made the Deputy Clerk of the house. Yet you could see the level of passion and commitment to his work at all times. I want to tell you that Chief Orngu Mellah is a true epitome of patience,” Albasu stated
The speaker Taraba State House of Assembly, Mrs Salmuna Sani, the former majority leader of the House, Capt Douglas Yahaya Ndatse, the chairlady of the occasion, Mrs Christiana Audu of TSU, his former class mate, Engineer Audu Kitere, a professor of Law ABU Zaria, Tor Sabo Apinega and Simon Galadima all took turns to appreciate the character of Chief Orngu Mellah and prayed God to grant him long life and good health as he journey into another phase of life
The occasion witnessed traditional dance, cutting of cake by the celebrant alongside his wife and unveiling of a book title “An Outstanding Clerk” co-authored by Hon James Ugoh, Mr Kator Sambo and Mike Ortserga
