Former Governor of the Mid-West State, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia is dead.
He reportedly died on Thursday night in a private hospital.
The former administrator of the former Bendel state (a former amalgamation of Edo and Delta states) was hailed as a fine military officer who helped to liberate the Mid-West region during the civil war.
The Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki described the death of late Ogbemudia as saddening and prayed for his soul to rest in peace, Vanguard reports.
He said under Ogbemudia’s administration, Bendel became a leading state in education, sports and industry.
“As two-time Governor of Bendel, which comprised present-day Edo and Delta states, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, will be fondly remembered for the strong foundation that he laid to consolidate the infrastructural, social and economic development of both states.
“Amongst his several milestone achievements was the Mid-West Institute of Technology, which is now the University of Benin.
“As we mourn our great leader and father, we take solace in the legacies he bequeathed Edo State and indeed Nigeria.”