Former military governor of defunct Bendel State, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, has sent a message of congratulations to his colleague and friend, Senator David Mark, on his 74th birthday.

Mark, a former President of the Senate, was born in Otukpo in present-day Benue State, on April 8, 1948.

Ogbeha in a goodwill message to Mark praised him for his steadfastness in his service to Nigeria. He noted the contributions of Mark to the socio-economic and political development of the country and urged him not to rest on his oars.

Ogbeha and Mark were classmates at the Nigeria Military School (NMS), Zaria, and the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna. While Ogbeha was military governor of old Bendel State Mark was the military governor of old Niger State.

Both of them retired as Brigadiers-General of the Nigerian Army on the same day.

After their retirement from the Army, the duo went into politics. Ogbeha was elected Senator under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Kogi West Senatorial Zone of Kogi State while Mark, a PDP chieftain, was elected Senator to represent Benue South Senatorial District of Benue State.

Ogbeha pointed out that Mark has over the years demonstrated strong political will in the service to Nigeria, saying: “Both in military and political environment, Mark gave a good account of himself”.

He noted Mark’s political sagacity in 2010, when his invocation of the Doctrine of Necessity helped to salvage a leadership crisis in the country.

Ogheha wished Mark good health, wisdom and courage in the years to come.