President Muhammadu Buhari has extended heartfelt condolences to the Ogbemudia family as well as the government and people of Edo State on the death of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, a former governor of the defunct Midwest region and old Bendel State, the Presidency said in a statement on Friday, hours after Mr. Buhari himself returned from a medical vacation in London.
“President Buhari joins them and other admirers in mourning the elder statesman who diligently served the country with courage and dedication at crucial moments in her history, both as military governor and a democratically elected civilian governor,” read the statement issued by President Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina.
“The President believes that the late Ogbemudia, who had a distinguished career as a military officer, administrator and Federal Minister, has left an impressive legacy of hardwork, discipline and commitment to communal, state, regional and national development.
“The President recalls the unique role of the elder statesman in the nation’s return to civilian rule in 1999 and trusts that, as a tireless advocate for equity, he will be long remembered and honoured for his dedication to the advancement of his people, especially in the fields of education, social welfare and infrastructure.
“President Buhari prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn the late Brig.-Gen. Ogbemudia and grant his soul eternal rest,” it added.