Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, who died on Thursday night at the age of 84, as a very professional and disciplined military officer.

He praised Ogbemudia’s record of infrastructural development as governor of old Mid-western region, saying it was still being appreciated and talked about till today.

In his condolence message over the passing of the retired general issued by his media office on Friday in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader said: “I received the news of the death of former military governor of old Midwest Region and ex-governor of Bendel State-now Delta and Edo states- Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (CON), on Thursday March 9, 2017 at 11 pm, early this (Friday) morning.

“Though we never wish that our elders leave us even at an advanced age, General Ogbemudia lived to the age of 84. We are not to mourn his death, but celebrate his life and times.

“Gen. Ogbemudia was a very professional and disciplined military officer. He played a strategic leadership role in liberating the Midwest region from the hands of the Biafra troops.

“We have lost an uncommon patriot and nationalist who fought with former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, to keep our dear nation one.

“As governor, General Ogbemudia’s record of infrastructural development in old Midwest region is still being talked about till this day. He showed his love for education as a catalyst for human capacity development by creating the Midwest Institute of Technology, now University of Benin.

“Also, all through his stewardship as Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chairman of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Chairman Petroleum Products Monitoring Company and Chairman Governing Council of the University of Abuja, he demonstrated rare leadership qualities.

“Gen. Ogbemudia was a father to all. He nurtured so many young men and women in politics. It was no surprise, therefore, that he commanded respect from across the nation.

“He will be sorely missed by the good people of old Bendel State who benefited immensely from his socio-political and economic footprints across the region.

“I offer my condolences to the family he left behind, to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the good people of old Bendel State and Nigerians in general.”

Also yesterday, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, expressed sadness over Ogbemudia’s death. Okowa in a statement issued in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, described late Ogbemudia as a patriot and a political icon whose life-long dedication and indefatigable commitment to serving the people will be missed.

The Governor noted that the history of the defunct Bendel State (now Edo and Delta) will certainly be incomplete without a chapter generously capturing the immense, robust and earth-shaking contributions of Ogbemudia to the social, political and economic development of the geo-political entity, Nigeria and indeed humanity.

Governor Okowa further described Dr Ogbemudia, a one-time Minister of Labour and Productivity, as a quintessential Army General, adroit and sagacious administrator, elder statesman, an astute politician and a patriot to the core, who no doubt stamped his footprints in the sands of time by touching the lives of Nigerians, particularly the people of Edo and Delta States.

Governor Okowa on behalf of the government and people of Delta State, joined the government and people of Edo State, the numerous friends, associates, well-wishers and admirers of this political colossus of our time, a generalissimo, a soldiers’ soldier, a patriot per excellence, a workaholic, an exemplary leader and achiever of all times in mourning Dr. Ogbemudia whose many years of service to his father land and mankind remains indelible in the hearts of many.

He prayed God to grant the immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.