President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Ogbemudia family as well as the government and people of Edo State on the death of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, a former governor of the defunct Midwest region and old Bendel State.
President Buhari joins them and other admirers in mourning the elder statesman who diligently served the country with courage and dedication at crucial moments in her history, both as military governor and a democratically elected civilian governor.
The President believes that the late Ogbemudia, who had a distinguished career as a military officer, administrator and Federal Minister, has left an impressive legacy of hardwork, discipline and commitment to communal, state, regional and national development.
The President recalls the unique role of the elder statesman in the nation’s return to civilian rule in 1999 and trusts that, as a tireless advocate for equity, he will be long remembered and honoured for his dedication to the advancement of his people, especially in the fields of education, social welfare and infrastructure.
President Buhari prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn the late Brig.-Gen. Ogbemudia and grant his soul eternal rest.
In the same vein, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said he received the news of the death of the former military governor of the defunct Midwestern State, Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia with shock
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described Ogbemudia’s death as a colossal loss to the country, especially coming at a time Nigerians are still mourning the demise of another elder statesman and former governor of the defunct Western Region, General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo.
He commiserated with the Ogbemudia’s family, the government and people of Edo and Delta States and Nigerians in general over the incident.
He noted that Ogbemudia’s death has robbed the entire country of an intelligent officer, dynamic administrator, focused gentleman and a leader par excellence, who served his country and people meritoriously.
He prayed God to grant the departed soul eternal rest and his family and loved ones the grace to bear the great loss.
In a related development, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has condoled with the government and people of Edo State over the death of ” Edo Best Ever Governor” and revered elder statesman,former governor, Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, who died last night.
In a statement issued by his special adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, Dogara said Ogbemudia’s contributions to the development of the state during his term as Military Governor of the defunct Mid Western and later Bendel State remains indelible and iconic.
“His later election as civilian Governor of present Edo state was, perhaps, the most befitting testimony of his performance rating by the people of Edo state,” the Speaker said.
While urging leaders to borrow a leaf from the selfless service the late elder statesman paid during his lifetime, he stressed that emphasis should be on building legacies that will outlive them.
“In the short time he had in public office, he left a lasting legacy in the hearts of people, especially those from the old MidWest region, and Bendel State in particular. For me, he is a reminder that we, as leaders, must engage in activities that will promote the growth, development and wellbeing of our people in order to leave a legacy that will last long after we have been called from the earth,” Dogara said.
Also, former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, as a very professional and disciplined military officer.
He praised Ogbemudia’s record of infrastructural development as governor of old Mid-western region, saying it was still being appreciated and talked about till today.
In his condolence message over the passing of the retired general issued by his media office on Friday in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader said: “I received the news of the death of former military governor of old Midwest Region and ex-governor of Bendel State-now Delta and Edo states- Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (CON), on Thursday March 9, 2017 at 11 pm, early this (Friday) morning.
“Though we never wish that our elders leave us even at an advanced age, General Ogbemudia lived to the age of 84. We are not to mourn his death, but celebrate his life and times.
“Gen. Ogbemudia was a very professional and disciplined military officer. He played a strategic leadership role in liberating the Midwest region from the hands of the Biafra troops.
“Gen. Ogbemudia was a father to all. He nurtured so many young men and women in politics. It was no surprise, therefore, that he commanded respect from across the nation.
“He will be sorely missed by the good people of old Bendel State who benefited immensely from his socio-political and economic footprints across the region.
“I offer my condolences to the family he left behind, to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the good people of old Bendel State and Nigerians in general”.
