*We’ll never abandon his family-Obaseki
*Ogbemudia moved to another barracks, not dead-Gowon
*Okowa, Oshiomhole, Uduaghan, Clark, others pay tribute
MANY wept yester-day in Benin City as the remains of the late two-time former governor of defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia were laid to rest at his residence.
There were also eulogies from those present with a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, retd, saying that “ Sam only moved to another barracks and not dead.”
The event attracted thousands to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium where an interdenominational service was held.
The venue was filled with sympathizers including secondary school students, who came to pay respect to the deceased, who was adjudged to have been an outstanding leader of the defunct Bendel State.
Dignitaries at the gathering include Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Deputy governor of Delta State, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, who represented Delta State governor, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa; Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Odigie Oyegun and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.
Others include former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; ex-governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion; Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Justin Okonoboh; Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Monday Igbuya; former Deputy governors of Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu, Rev. Peter Obadan and Mr. Lucky Imasuen; Senator Ehigie Uzamere; Senator Francis Alimekhena; Senator Mathew Urhoghide; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi; Sen Shola Adeyeye; Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Samson Uwaifo; former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Zakawanu Garuba; Chief Ayiri Emami; Edo State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, Rev. Peter Imasuen; Catholic Bishop of Benin Diocese, ArchBishop Augustine Akubueze; Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Rev.G.Oyibo and Bishop O.Kure among others.
In his sermon drawn from 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Bishop Kure said the deceased left behind “unstoppable legacy that can’t be ignored or erased. “You impacted the former Bendel State, Midwest State, you impacted the entire country, you are a gift to this nation. Although you have passed on but you are not dead.
Your labour and good works cannot be ignored or erased,” he stated. We will keep hislegacies — Obaseki Obaseki, who urged Nigerians not to forget the family of the deceased, expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other Nigerians for their support since Ogbemudia passed on. He said the state government will continue to support the family, just he commended the management of Lagoon Hospital and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, for the efforts made to ensure that Ogbemudia survived.
Obaseki said: “Let me at this juncture particularly thank members of the burial committee who had only seven days to put this programme together in compliance with the wish of our late father. I want to thank all of you for responding to us.
I will employ you to keep our late father’s family in prayers. Let us not forget him and what he has left behind. On the part of the government of Edo State, I want to assure you that we will not forget you.”
History will be kind to Ogbemudia —Okowa Okowa said history would remember Ogbemudia for the courageous role he played to preserve the unity of the country during the political crisis of 1966 that culminated in the civil war of 1967 to 1970.
“But it was as the military governor of the defunct Midwest State that Dr. Ogbemudia shot into national acclaim with his towering achievements.
Under him, Midwest, later renamed Bendel became the model for other states to follow,” he stated. Ogbemudia helped me when I was homeless in London—Gowon Gen Gowon said: “Between 1967 when he was appointed Governor of then Midwest Region by my government and 1975 when we were both sent out of office alongside our other colleagues, Sam exhibited good leadership qualities.
He did well in office and his legacies still speak well for him today in whatever area of life that he touched, sports, culture, agriculture, transportation, industry, just name it.
“The old Midwest and old Bendel State bore his imprint of service. Little wonder several major landmarks bear his name including this stadium. He exemplified the concept of exemplary service to the people in my government.
He was also one of the most vilified. “Sam contributed to the process of my settling down in the UK after the overthrow of my government. Without a home to call my own, I was rescued by my late friend, Emmanuel Oti who gave me his London house to live without paying rent for about two years. Oti and Sam went further to buy several items furnishing the house. They comforted me when it mattered. Old soldier never die. Sam Ogbemudia has just moved to another barracks.”
He had unique leadership style —Oyegun Oyegun, who spoke on behalf of former governors of both Delta and Edo states, said Ogbemudia’s unique style of leadership made Edo the heartbeat of the nation.
He said: “Edo State in his time became the number one state in this nation and that is why we are called the heartbeat of the nation. For those of you who travel, you will find the exact replica of the Ogbemudia stadium in many states of the country today. You will also find a replica of the Observer building in many parts of the country today.”
(Vanguard)