On the 9th of March, 2017, His Excellency, Gen. (Dr.) Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia translated mortality for immortality, giving up the ghost at the age of 84, 5 months to his 85th birthday. Therefore, on the 9th of March, 2022, he will be years old in the great beyond.
Indeed, it has been five long years without the visionary mind, profound soul, indomitable spirit, strategic thoughts, sure footed steps, safe pair of hands, palpable patriotism and nationalist fervour of Nigeria’s Original Action Governor, the Magic Man from Midwest.
In the last edition of his annual birthday lectures, held on the 17th of September, 2016, His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of Delta State was the Guest Speaker. He spoke on Prospects of Sustainable Democracy: The Role of Political Parties.
He is a medical doctor but could easily have been taken for a professor of political science given the ease and depth with which he dealt with political theories and the mastery with which he resolved the contradictions in making his recommendations.
Writing this piece on the heels of the constitutional amendment processes by the National Assembly, one cannot but salute his foresight. When, six months after, the General passed on, Governor Okowa was back in Benin to pay the departed leader his respects; homage and tributes.
His Government of Delta State swiftly joined Edo State Government in giving General Ogbemudia a joint state burial. It was an occasion that bought together the two sister States, previously Bendel State (1976 – 1991), Midwest State (1967 – 1976) and Midwest Region (1963 – 1967). Gen. Ogbemudia was Military Governor of Midwest State (1967 – 1975) and Civilian Governor of Bendel State (Oct – Dec., 1983). We salute Governor Okowa with our clear eyes today as we did 5 years ago albeit with wet eyes.
The Special Guest of Honour at that public lecture, was the indomitable Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who was in the twilight of his second term of office and coasting home as the out-going Governor of Edo State. The Comrade Governor is not one to lose any opportunity to join issues in the public arena, and would readily swipe at opponents no matter whose ox is gored in the process. Gov. Okowa was not spared on this occasion. Gov. Okowa was winding down on his speech when the Comrade Governor breezed into the Hall. He went straight for Gov. Okowa’s political jugular, assuring him that he (the Comrade) would lead progressive forces to wrestle Delta State from Okowa, and return the State to the progressive family, by bringing it into alignment with Edo and the APC controlled Federal Government. It was neither the first nor the last time the Comrade would be issuing that threat. Indeed, as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he took concrete steps to make good his threat, but the results of the 2019 governorship election in Delta State did not justify this effort. Worst still, in the subsequent Edo State governorship election of 2021, Gov. Okowa’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), regained Edo State! However, the last may not have been heard on this matter, as the Comrade is believed to be back to the drawing board and the launching pad.
In and out of office, he has remained close to Gen. Ogbemudia’s family whose full (military) statue he as Governor, strategically located at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. We salute you today sir, as we do always.
Another, who like no other, deserve full praise on this occasion is His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. The euphoria of his election had not died down when Gen. Ogbemudia passed on. They had struck an unmatchable cord of friendship and filial affinity from the moment they first met, which was in the build-up to Obaseki’s first election, a friendship that heightened throughout their short but memorable relationship. As he stepped out of the General’s house, Godwin, then a candidate, muttered to his waiting associates, ‘‘men, na waoh, this guy is phenomenal. Each time I come here I learn so much. He’s more than a consultant on politics, governance, everything. And he’s one leader that is not asking me for anything. Infact, I’m going to hold an exercise book and biro on my next visit, and if I win this election, I’m going to follow in the footsteps of his previous administration…’’ Unfortunately, the very first major public outing, and massive engagement the new Governor had with the people was the burial of his mentor!! Governor Obaseki was also personally present at the University of Abuja on the occasion of the first memorial lecture of the General and sent his representatives on the second and third occasions. The family sends its greetings to you, Your Excellency.
Now, there are far too many Midwesterners, Bendelites and Nigerians who were with Gen. Ogbemudia in the various epochal outings and landmark achievements throughout his great life time. Time and space would not permit exhaustive treatment and due panegyrics to all the personalities in this piece, but we must pay deserved tribute to two persons: His Excellency Gen. (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon and Chief (Dr.) E. K. Clark.
Col. Gowon confirmed Major Ogbemudia’s appointment as Military Governor of Midwest State in 1967, and was his Commander-in-Chief through to 1975 when the military coup of July 1975 overthrew Gen. Gowon’s regime. Ogbemudia was easily his star Governor in terms of performance in office; infrastructural provisions and service delivery. But perhaps the greatest tribute he, Gen. Gowon paid to Ogbemudia was in the area of unifying Nigeria, following the fratricidal (Nigeria-Biafra) civil war of 1967 – 1970. Gen. Gowon whose commitment to one Nigeria was, and still remains paramount, declared after the war that but for Midwest [under Ogbemudia], there would have been no longer Nigeria. These two leaders continued their relationship after leaving the military. In Britain, while Gowon went to Warwick University to study Political Science, Ogbemudia went to Nouninton Polytechnic, Birmingham, to study Cooling Technology. So close were they that when Ogbemudia took ill in January of 2017, Gen. Gowon flew into Benin and from the Airport went straight to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) to meet his friend. At the Intensive Care Unit, Gen. Gowon held Ogbemudia by his two hands in prayers. ‘‘You pulled Nigeria out of the war’’, he said, ‘‘you must pull yourself out of this’’. At the end of the prayers, Gen. Gowon left straight to Airport and back to Abuja, declining the protocols and reception already arranged for him by Edo State Government. Ogbemudia could not pull himself out as God’s will prevailed, but Gen. Gowon was back in Benin two months later, on the 17th of March, for his friend’s burial. Our dear General ‘‘Go On With One Nigeria’’, we salute you.
Chief Senator (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark was probably Ogbemudia’s closest ally. He was Ogbemudia’s famous Commissioner for Education at the time of the establishment of the University of Benin (initially as Midwest Institute of Technology, MIT). While Ogbemudia was visitor, Clark was the One-Man-Council of the University. Having achieved so much at the State level, he was elevated to the federal level as Federal Commissioner (Minister), deployed to the Information Ministry to take over from the legendary Chief Tony Enahoro. The duo of Ogbemudia and Gowon who made this possible enjoyed the liaison Chief Clark provided them. Ogbemudia always told the story of how Chief Clark’s initials became popular; that there was in his office a chief clerk (popularly called chief clak). Chief Clark didn’t like the mix-up between him and the chief clerk, and Ogbemudia suggested that E.K. be mentioned each time Clark was being addressed! Indeed, he (Ogbemudia) was later to get used to calling the Chief simply EKC!! On that day of Ogbemudia’s laying-in-state at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Chief Clark momentarily caved in to emotions. The event compere who noticed this advised against calling on him to speak. His great friend was gone. We salute our father and leader.
We shall have another occasion to revisit this endeavour, predictably in September this year, when God willing, we shall be celebrating Gen. Ogbemudia’s 90th (posthumous) birthday. Before then, and in terms of the facts set out above, we beg to move. May the almighty God continue to rest the profound soul of Gen. Ogbemudia, merry.
Dr. Okolocha who is now a senior lecturer at the University of Abuja was Gen. Ogbemudia’s Special Assistant from 1993 till when he died in 2017.
