In Memory Of Hon. Charles Idahosa OFR

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Charlie Temple, as we all fondly called him, was a warm and happy person, who made everyone around him, laugh. He was always making jokes. His friends loved to be around him. 

I first met Charlie Temple, in school many years ago. Even though he was my senior in age and two classes above me, it did not matter. He always respected me, another of his good qualities, he respected everyone, high and low. He was a people’s person, that is why people were always around him. 

Our Oshodi family relationship, created a stronger bond between us. He always introduced me as my younger brother …. At our last meeting in November 2025, at the burial of the mother of our mutual friend, Samposs  Igodan, he was full of life and I did not know that was going to be our last meeting. Even if he was unwell, it did not show. Anyway, that would not have stopped him, he had to be at that ceremony. That was the extent of his loyalty to his friends. 

I remember a conversation I once had with him. He said, he was just arriving from Niger State, and I asked him what he was doing in Niger State? He told me he was helping a friend execute a contract there. He was doing this for a friend who was going through a very difficult patch in his life. A time when many friends disappear . Charlie Temple, was a friend who was always there when he was needed. The depth of his loyalty always showed  in the way he assisted his friends. 

At the Table Tennis Section of Benin Club, where he held court every evening, and had many friends, many will tell you how he has helped them one way or the other. He was also a major patron of that section and the club, he has shown his generosity in many ways to several people. 

It was in politics, that many people knew him. In the last 40 years that he was in politics, he showed that politics can be used positively to help people. He loved politics and was a natural. He inherited the essence from his father, who was known in his  days as “ The Akakasiaka” a name, charlie will also inherit. 

He helped people win elections , and also did not hesitate to help drive out those, he had earlier help elect, when they become arrogant and become nasty, fighting all those who helped them reach their position. He once asked a Governor, he had help elect,  that he was now against, to show the exam result, where he came first, to become Governor? He promised to help send him out of politics, and he did. Politics for him was a tool to help people and for the most part,he showed this, in his participation. 

The outpouring of grief and emotions in the  last few days, since his passing , showed who he was with his friends. We will all miss him greatly. We ask God to bless those he left behind, and to give them the fortitude to bear the loss. 

He has done his best and showed his humanity, now that he has gone to meet his maker, we pray, and

ask God Almighty to  show him mercy, and forgive him, his sins and give him, eternal rest.