Family Confirms Death of Ogbemudia

Matilda Omonaiye/

News of the death of Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, a former military and civilian governor of the defunct Midwest and Bendel state, has been confirmed by members of his family.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ogbemudia died on Thursday at a private hospital in Lagos at the age of 84.

Mr Sam Ogbemudia (Junior) confirmed the death of his father in his official residence on Friday in Benin.

He said he would miss everything about him.

He said that his father taught him almost everything in life from childhood to adult.

“I learnt so much from him. He was a wonderful man. I will miss everything about him; both his biological children and non biological ones,” he said.

Late Ogbemudia was a former military administrator of old mid-western state from September 1967 to 1975.

He was also elected civilian governor of Bendel State after winning the August 1983 gubernatorial election on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

Until his death, Ogbemudia was a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Meanwhile, Mrs Elizabeth Ativie, Deputy Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, has described the Late Ogbemudia as a detribalised Nigerian

Ativie said that Ogbemudia’s transition was a sad loss to the nation.

She described him as an elder statesman and an apostle of democracy who maintained a firm belief in the rule of law and fair play.

She said, “The news was shocking. We have lost a leader and bridge builder. He has contributed a lot to sustain democracy and the development of the nation.

“He is a good adviser: no matter the issue you take to him, you are sure that you will get good advice from him.”

A national leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Mr Gentleman Amegor, also described Ogbemudia’s exit as a painful loss.

Amegor, who described the late statesman as his surrogate father, said, “I am consoled with the fact that the late Ogbemudia lived a good life.

“He was my surrogate father and I will really miss him dearly. He was everything to his children and others who were not his biological children.

“We are consoled with the fact that he represented everything good to humanity.”

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