Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu
It is difficult for me to come to terms with the reality of the sudden demise of General Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, having been the subject of sublime greatness and communal adoration for over five decades. He was a living legend in every sense of the word.
He arguably is the epitome of a public spirited achiever. By the landmarks he left behind in Edo and Delta States, while he held sway as the military administrator of the defunct Midwest State, he left no one in doubt that he was an administrative genius that came ahead of his time. Interestingly, and rightly so, he remains to date the reference point of an administrator in Edo and Delta States.
What more eulogy can I render in honour of this wonderful man of many immaculate parts that one would not find in the tributes of others? What can one say that has not been said while Ogbemudia lived with us in flesh and blood?
I am specially inclined in this historic moment to relive his wonderful personal relationship with me and my extended family. He was a father in the practical sense of the word to me. I grew up in awesome contemplation of his exceptional personality and achievement. He was my late father's good friend and I had the special privilege of drawing from his fountain of knowledge and wisdom, which I would say contributed to shaping my views and sentiments about service to the society, and my pursuit of the good of others.
He was indeed a great friend to my father of blessed memory. I recall that he appointed my father Chairman, Statutory Corporation, Service Commission, charged with the management of water and electricity in the defunct Midwest State. He extended this bond of friendship when as a civilian governor of the defunct Bendel State he appointed my brother Osato his Special Assistant. I had my own share of profitable political relationship with him while I had the privilege of dwelling in the same political party with him beginning from 1999.
Our family bond was heightened by his marriage to my mother's relative, Mrs Clara Ogbemudia.
His death is a big loss to Edo and Nigeria in general. However, rather than mourn his passage, I want to celebrate the exceptional life of achievement he lived and the legacies he has left behind, which no doubt will always be a source of inspiration to this generation and generations unborn.
In this timeless expression, I celebrate the glorious life and times of the inimitable hero of our time: He came, he saw, he conquered.
May God grant his family and indeed all of us the fortitude to bear the loss.
Adieu Great One!
Signed
Awaiting Gov of Edo State
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (ESq)
You are a great man sir
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