*Tinubu, Atiku Mourn APC Chieftain
A FORMER member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, reportedly slumped and died while watch int semi-final match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday night, February 7 in Abuja, the Federal Capital territory (FCT).
Ojougboh, who represented Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State in the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007 and later became Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters to former President Goodluck Jonathan, was said to have slumped immediately South Africa scored the equaliser through a penalty kick and efforts to revive him proved abortive.
He was Director of Projects under the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The remains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain have been deposited at the Garki Hospital mortuary in Abuja.
Born on September 8, 1959 in Ika South Local Council of Delta State, Ojougboh, a medical doctor and Chairman/Founder of Ojougboh Foundation, was at different times APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Delta State.
Ojougboh attended Pilgrims Baptist Primary School, Agbor (1966-1971); Columbus Grammar School (now Gbenoba Grammar School), Agbor (1972-1976); Auchi Polytechnic (now Federal Polytechnic), Auchi (1978-1979) and University of Benin, Benin City (1979-1985), among others.
He was state chairman the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) between 1998 and 1999; PDP’s national vice chairman (South-South) between August 2014 and August 2016;, deputy national chairman from September 2016 to August 2017 and executive secretary of National Unity Group (NUG).
The Akinuwa Anioma; Akinuwa of Agbor Kingdom; Ihiale of Umunede and Odua of Akumazi died at the age of 64.
In a related development, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Adamawa State, simply identified as Samuel, also died in a similar circumstance on while watching the same match, this time in Adamawa State.
He was said to have been rushed to General Hospital in Numan by his colleagues, where he was confirmed dead.
According to an NYSC official in the state: “l received the news of his death last night, I hope to have more details today.
“According to his colleagues who went with him to watch the match, the late corps member told them that he doesn’t like watching penalty shootout, he then bowed his head and all of a sudden he collapsed.
“He was confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Numan by the doctor.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, have offered condolences to the Ojougboh family.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, while praying for the peaceful repose of the departed, comforted his family, urging them to find strength and hope in God Almighty and the cherished memories and legacy of the late APC chieftain.
Atiku, writing on his Facebook page, said Ojougboh’s death was a personal loss to him, adding: “The sudden passing of my close friend, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, deeply saddens me. His love for our country was profound.
“Cairo was a shining example of patriotism; his dedication to Nigeria was unwavering and his departure is a personal loss that leaves a void in my heart.
“As we mourn, let us remember the passion and zeal for Nigeria that defined his life.”
