Ogbemudia: Exit of a Great Builder

Segun James in this report x-rays the life and times of the former military governor of the old Mid-Western State and later civilian governor of old Bendel State, General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, and his quest for development

They are now regularly being decimated by death. Not at war time as you would expect of combatant soldiers, during which as generals, they led the nation out of a fratricidal civil war that claimed over two million lives, thereby ensuring that the nation remains one, but by old age. One by one they are exiting bringing an era in Nigeria’s history to a close.

So it is now with the generals that led Nigeria at a most critical stage of its existence – the period between 1966 and 1979. Death is a curious thing. It strikes when least expected, and sometimes in rapid succession making burial arrangement difficult and hard to keep up with.

This was the situation when General Adeyinka Adebayo and General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia died in quick succession, barely 24 hours of each other.

As if predicting the future, former Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, General Yakubu Gowon who led the nation during that critical period, said at the home of Adebayo who was the oldest general of the Nigerian Armed Forces that he should prepare a place for them in heaven as many more of them are coming.

Barely 12 hours after this statement, the death was announced of Ogbemudia, the former governor of old Midwest state from 1966 to 1975 who later made a dramatic return in 1983 as a civilian governor of old Bendel state.

Ogbemudia was a developmental colossus. He was appointed military governor November 17, 1967 in the thick of the Nigerian civil war, to take over from General David Ejoor. Ogbemudia watched as the war gradually destroyed infrastructures and the people of the state as they were caught in the middle of the war and the state became a battle zone.

As a governor, his problems were peculiar. A great section of the state were Igbo speaking and some of them had played significant roles in the events that led to the civil war. They were being treated as accomplices and the battle was particularly hot in that part of the state during the battle to make Nigeria one.

At the end of the war, Ogbemudia decided to focus attention on the rapid development of the state and people. He also ensured that the question of “abandoned property” that was tearing other parts of the nation apart did not happen in his state.

He built roads linking all parts of the state and ensured that all schools were immediately rehabilitated and the pupils back in class.

Knowing that higher education was on the exclusive list of the federal government, and realising that the state needed a university of its own, Ogbemudia deceptively began the building of the University of Benin without the federal government knowing his intention. By the time the federal government got to know it has been deceived, Ogbemudia “donated” the university to the federal government, a situation which made the Midwest the first state to build and own a university.

Ogbemudia never discriminated in his efforts to develop his state. Projects were evenly distributed, expertly executed and of high quality. Today, the only roads in Benin, Warri, Sapele Asaba and other parts of the state that have stood the test of time and are still motorable are those built by Ogbemudia over 45 years ago!

In fact, in both Edo and Delta States, the two states that made up Midwest, Ogbemudia is still the yardstick by which the performance of successive governments is measured.

Samuel Ogbemudia was born inBenin City on September 17, 1932. He attended Benin Baptist School (1941–1945), and then the Government School, Victoria, in theCameroons (1945–1947). His secondary education was at the Western Boy’s High School, Benin City (1947–1949).

He first enlisted in the Army in 1953. He trained at Teshie, Ghana (1957) and at Netheravonand Salisbury Plain in England (1959). He attended the officer cadet school at Aldershot, England in 1960, and was commissioned second lieutenant in 1961. He attended the United States army special welfare school at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1962. Ogbemudia served with the United Nations peacekeeping force in theCongofor 16 months, and served inTanzania in 1964. He was appointed as an instructor to theNigerian Military School, Zaria in 1964 and chief instructor the following year.

In 1966 he became a brigade major and was later that same year transferred to the 4th Area Command in Benin. Ogbemudia was appointed Military administrator of Mid-West state in November, 1967 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant colonel the same day.

A populist, dedicated to reconstruction after the war, he initiated improvements in the areas of sports, urban development, education, public transportation, housing and commerce. He built the Ogbe sports stadium, now named the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and in August 1973 he commissioned the three-story National Museum in Benin City.

Other projects included the Agbede Mechanized Farm, Rural Electrification Board, Bendel Steel Structures, Effurun, Bendel Pharmaceuticals, Bendel Boatyard in Warri, the University of Benin and the Bendel Line. In later years, people looked back on his governorship as a time when much was achieved, followed by stagnation in later administrations.

During a brief return to civil rule, Samuel Ogbemudia was elected governor of Bendel State in October 1983 as candidate for the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) replacing-Ambrose Alli of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). However, he lost his position in December that year whenMuhammadu Buhari became military ruler after a coup d’état that overthrew civilian President Shehu Shagari.

General Sani Abacha, military head of state from November, 1993 until his death in June, 1998, appointed Ogbemudia as minister for Labor and Productivity.

After the restoration of democracy in 1998/1999, Ogbemudia was one of the founders of thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, and a member of the party’s Board of Trustees. Ogbemudia and Chief Anthony Anenih between them controlled PDP politics in Edo State for the next decade, at first working well together but later coming into open conflict.

Following his demise, Edo State Government declared seven-day mourning as a mark of honour for him.

The state governor, Godwin Obaseki who made the declaration, described late Ogbemudia as a fine military officer who liberated the Midwest region during the civil war.

According to Obaseki, “Under Dr. Ogbemudia, Bendel became a leading state in education, sports and industry. As two-time governor of Bendel, comprising present-day Edo and Delta states, he will be fondly remembered for the strong foundation he laid for the infrastructural, social and economic development of both states.”

He also listed his several other milestones to include 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. As a mark of honour, I hereby declare 7 days of mourning commencing from today. May the soul of General (Dr.) Samuel Ogbemudia rest in peace,” Obaseki stated.

“Ogbemudia was the governor’s Governor”, said Dr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, former Minister of State for Works/former Group Executive Director, NNPC. He added that the late Ogbemudia lived a wonderful life worthy of emulation by all.

“Ogbemudia was a detribalised governor of Midwest; he touched all the nook and cranny of old Bendel. Today, look round Edo and Delta States; his legacies are visible. His ingenuity and creativity stand him out as an outstanding true leader and a father figure that wanted the best for Edo State.”

According to him, Ogbemudia’s humble life style stood him out unlike other public office holders who looted the treasury for personal aggrandisement.

Imansuagbon said: “His death was a great loss; he has left a big vacuum. He was the beckon of good governance. He lived moderately and worked for the people without media hype. He was sincere. May his soul rest in peace.”

The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan said the news of the death of Ogbemudia came to him with a deep sense of loss and gratitude to God for a life well-lived in the service of his fatherland, his state, and humanity.

Uduaghan said: “He was a towering figure, and truly an elder statesman full of wisdom, selfless, and passionately committed to the development of not just the defunct Midwest and Bendel States, but indeed Nigeria given the role he played during the civil war and the positions he held thereafter as governor, minister of labour and productivity, chairman of the national sports commission, and until his death, chairman of the governing council of the University of Abuja”.

The former Delta State governor noted that as two-time governor, military and civilian, Ogbemudia left a giant and indelible foot print in the sands of time for which posterity will always remember him, adding that future generation of leaders have a lot to emulate from his stewardship especially his robust vision, exemplary leadership and zeal to deliver good governance to the people.

Meanwhile Obaseki has inaugurated a 13-man committee for the funeral of the late military governor of former Bendel state. The committee is expected to liaise with Ogbemudia’s family for a smooth burial rite for the late military governor.

Also mourning, another governor of the state and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun expressed his deep grief over the death of the statesman.

The APC National Chairman described the late General as a nationalist, detribalised and visionary leader, astute politician, administrator par excellence and statesman.

“The history of the defunct Bendel State (now Edo and Delta states) is incomplete without copious reference to late Ogbemudia’s immense contributions to the social, political and economic development of the geo-political entity. Without doubt, he touched the lives of Nigerians, particularly the people of Edo and Delta States.

“I recall with pride that the University of Benin; Auchi Polytechnic (now Federal Polytechnic, Auchi); Ogbe Stadium (later renamed after Gen. Ogbemudia); College of Physical Education Afuze (now Michael Imoudu College of Physical Education, Afuze); Bendel Line (now Edo Line); befitting High Court Complex, Benin City, State Civil Service Secretariat; Bendel Cement Factory; network of durable motorable roads; Bendel Hotels; Bendel Newspapers Corporation are some of the notable legacies Ogbemudia’s administration bequeathed.

“Since the late Ogbemudia exited office, he worked tirelessly to ensure peace and progress in the country.

“Indeed, Nigeria has lost an illustrious son who soldiered to the very end. We are consoled by the fact that the late Ogbemudia lived an accomplished, impactful and celebrated life. May the Almighty God give the late Ogbemudia eternal rest and the family, the strength to bear the great loss.” Odigie-Oyegun said.