By Deborah Ogedemgbe
Benin City – Condolences have continued to pour in for the family of a one-time Military Governor of the defunct Mid-Western and Bendel States, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, who died on Thursday at 84.
The Edo Government, immediate past governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole and the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Saturday commiserated with the family.
Edo Gov. Godwin Obaseki, represented by the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said during a condolence visit that Ogbemudia’s death was shocking.
He, however, said that the state took solace in the fact that Ogbemudia had left his footprints on the sands of time and that he had also written his name in gold.
He noted that the late two-time governor laid a solid foundation on which successive governments in the state had continued to build on.
On burial arrangements, Obaseki said the state government would liaise with the family to give the elder statesman a befitting burial.
On his part, Oshiomhole said Ogbemudia’s death as painful not only to the people of the state but the nation at large.
Oshiomhole, who was also at the family house, noted that the former governor had following across the country.
He said he was happy that he did not die as a partisan politician, but a great leader of all.
“Our great leader and father, we are sad that you have gone at this time, but your name lives on forever in our hearts.
“ We remember the solid foundation you laid for our great state; may your great soul rest forever in peace,” he wrote in the condolence register.
Also, the NUJ Chairman, Mr Roland Osakue, and the Chairman of the State Chapter of the Correspondents Chapel, Mr Simon Ibegbulem, condoled with Ogbemudia’s family.
“The late Ogbemudia a rear icon will continue to live in the hearts of all,” Osakue said.
The first son of the deceased, Mr Samuel Ogbemudia (Jnr.) thanked the callers for their kind words and for identifying with the family at this time.