Edo State Mourns Ogbemudia
Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia was a Nigerian army officer and politician. He was military Governor (1967–1975) of the Mid-West State, later renamed Bendel State, part of which became Edo State. He was also Minister of Labour and Productivity during General Abacha regime.
After his military career, Dr Ogbemudia was in 1983, elected civilian governor of the old Bendel State. His tenure was cut short by the military coup of December 1983, led by current President Muhammadu Buhari.
After the return to democracy in 1999, he became a power in the Peoples Democratic Party and is one of the founding fathers of the party.
Following the death of the octogenarian, the state government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, has declared a 7 days mourning period.
Obaseki, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, John Mayaki, said the mourning period will begin from March 10. The governor described the death of late Ogbemudia as saddening and prayed for his soul to rest in peace. He described the deceased as “a fine military officer who helped to liberate the Mid-West region during the civil war”.
He said under Ogbemudia’s administration, Bendel became a leading state in education, sports and industry.
“As two time Governor of Bendel, which comprised present-day Edo and Delta states, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, will be fondly remembered for the strong foundation that he laid to consolidate the infrastructural, social and economic development of both states.
Amongst his several milestone achievements was the Mid-West Institute of Technology, which is now the University of Benin.
As we mourn our great leader and father, we take solace in the legacies he bequeathed Edo State and indeed Nigeria,” the statement added.