Remembering Kabaka Oba

In the midst of doing the county's business Wednesday, county commissioners took a moment to remember black activist Kabaka Oba.

"I always enjoyed the general," recalled Commissioner Todd Portune. "He had a style about delivering the message that was not always met with open arms, but the things he was saying were ... on the mark and needed to be heard."

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the outspoken Oba's death. Oba, who called himself "the general" of an organization called the Black Fist, was gunned down outside City Hall April 12, 2006 after leaving a City Council meeting where he was a regular speaker. He died April 15.

Oba was also a frequent speaker at county commission meetings and had spoken at one the morning of the shooting. A woman identifying herself as Joy Rolland-Oba, said she had accompanied Oba to the meetings the day of the shooting. She came to Wednesday's commission meeting alone.

"I just came because he always came," she said. Then she added a criticism. "The Hamilton County prosecutor continues to do the dirty deeds he does and doesn't prosecute those responsible," she said without elaborating. Howard Beatty, who had a bitter feud with Oba, is serving a 13-year sentence for the shooting.

Portune thanked the woman for her comments and noted that although the 6-foot-1, Oba was physically an imposing figure, "He could be a very lighthearted individual."

"He came back to my office after the meeting and we had some lighthearted moments," Portune said. "I'll remember him for the lighthearted spirit he had. He was physically strong and somewhat imposing, but a gentle giant."

Later in the day at City Council, family and friends of Oba asked for a proclamation in his honor and for a street to be named for him. Mayor Mark Mallory referred them to his staff for the proclamation. No one immediately responded about the request for a Kabaka Oba Street.

Oba's brother, Ted Bailey, said after the hearing that anyone wanting to support Oba could do so by donating to the scholarship fund in his name at any Fifth Third Bank. He cautioned against donating money to others who claim to be Oba's supporters.

Velma Sanders, a friend of Oba's, said she and others are planning a memorial service on the anniversary of Oba's death.

"Don't look at us and think that we're doing something that shouldn't be done," she said. "That was one of our brothers."