Retired Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia two-time ex-governor of defunct Midwest and Bendel States is dead.
The revered leader of the both states which were later split into Edo and Delta States, died at the age of 84 in a private hospital in Lagos shortly before midnight on Thursday.
The statesman was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, in November 2016 where he was later transferred to Lagos for treatment.
It was reliably learnt that the deceased had battled diabetes and High blood Pressure since 1970. These, eventually led to the partial stroke he suffered late last year. The news of Ogbemudia’s demise shocked Edo residents, who woke up to read it on the social media. Family members and friends thronged his Ihieya residence in Benin City to express sympathy.
His first son Mr. Sam Ogbemudia Jr said he would miss everything about his father, revealing that the deceased had since prepared his grave beside his, Ogbemudia, late mother’s grave, who died in 1968.
He said:”My father represents everything to me right from my child hood days. I don’t know what to say. It is devastating. I learnt so much from him. He was a wonderful man. I will miss everything about him. I, and other persons, who have come in contact with him, have all learnt a great deal from him. He was a father, not just to his children, but to all. He was a great man.
“He prepared his grave years ago because he said he will like to be buried beside the grave of his late mother. The family will need to meet and discuss including the government of both Edo and Delta states. Our governor, Obaseki has been wonderful, he has been duly informed. It is sad but we thank God for the life of my father”.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari , Senate President, Sen Bukola Saraki; Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; immediate past governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Delta State governor, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa; former governor of Edo State, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor; former Senate President, Sen David Mark; former governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Speaker of Edo state House of Assembly, Justin Okonobor; and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie reacted to Ogbemudia’s demise. Others included ex-governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbenedion; former governor of Delta State. Chief James Ibori, former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rev. Peter Obada, former Minister of Transport , Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Chief Chris Ogiemwonyi among others.
President Buhari in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity said the deceased diligently served the country.
