By Joy Odigie
Benin – Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo and his Delta counterpart, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday said that the Late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia would be remembered for his numerous contributions to the development of the defunct Bendel State.
The governors, receiving the remains of the former military and civilian Governor of the defunct Midwest and Bendel State respectively at the Benin Airport, said that he was a friend to all.
According to Obaseki, he left a lasting legacy which Edo is building on.
‘’He admonished me and assured me of his support during my electioneering period.
“I cannot forget the encouragement he gave me; without his open and clear endorsement, my campaign would have been difficult,’’ Obaseki said.
Okowa described late Ogbemudia as a role model to politicians, noting that he still lives through his works.
‘’I want to condole with the family of the late elder statesman; he meant a lot to both states of Edo and Delta.
‘’We will remember him for so many things; as at today, a lot of things still stand in his name,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogbemudia’s corpse arrived the Benin airport at exactly 1:20pm and was received on arrival by Obaseki and Okowa, who had earlier separately arrived the airport at 12:49pm and 12:58pm respectively.
NAN reports that the body was flown from Lagos aboard flight NAF 129 Donier 228.
Ogbemudia died at on Thursday at a private hospital in Lagos at the age of 84.
