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By Myke Agunwa
A delegation of the Federal Government, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday visited and condoled with Justina Ogbeh, widow of the late Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Innocent Audu Ogbeh at their residence in Abuja.
Pointplanknews.com had reported that the elder statement passed on “peacefully” at his Abuja residence on Saturday at the age of 78.
The Vice President described Ogbeh, as one of Nigeria’s most visionary leaders whose contributions to food security will remain indelibly etched in the nation’s development history.
Delivering the message of the Federal government to the bereaved family, Shettima in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said, “We are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, the government, and people of Benue State over the sad demise of our elder statesman, Chief Audu Ogbe.
“We have not just lost a former minister; we have lost an irreplaceable institution whose vision and pragmatic approach to agricultural development transformed the landscape of our farming communities”, the Vice President said.
He described Ogbeh’s death as “an irreparable loss to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation drive and national development trajectory.”
Eulogising the late politician, who died peacefully on Saturday, Shettima described him as a transformational leader whose impact transcended political affiliations and regional boundaries, adding that his work offered a blueprint for sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.
“He was a most committed advocate of agricultural transformation who endeared himself to many with his wisdom, pragmatism, and genuine concern for the well-being of farming families. His demise represents a collective loss to our entire agricultural ecosystem”, Shettima said.
He offered prayers for the repose of the deceased’s soul just as he expressed confidence that Ogbe’s example would continue to inspire future generations of agricultural practitioners and policymakers.
“We are comforted by the many lives he touched and the enduring example he set. His legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation will continue to guide our agricultural transformation efforts.
“I pray that Almighty Allah will forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May Allah also grant the family, the government and people of Benue State, and indeed the entire nation, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”, he said.
Chief Audu Ogbe, a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, served in several capacities in government, including as Minister of Communications in the Second Republic and Minister of Agriculture under President Muhammadu Buhari