POLITICIANS REPRIMANDED AS CAIRO OJOUGBOH IS BURIED
By Patrick Gbuchanye
Agbor Kingdom was agog when the body of an illustrious son of the kingdom, the Akinuwa of Agbor Kingdom, late Chief Dr. Cairo Godson Ojougbo was committed to Mother Earth on Friday, April 19, 2024.
The well-attended burial ceremony of the political icon of Ika extraction began on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, with a dual service of songs at the Church of Assumption, Abuja, and at the deceased parish hometown of All Saints Catholic Church, Alihame, Agbor on Thursday 18, 2024.
In a homily on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the funeral service held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor, Very Revd. Fr. Charles Uganwa bemoaned the level of corruption among Nigerian politicians as it has contributed to the underdevelopment of Nigeria after 64 years. According to him, “Our Politicians have failed us in this country. The citizens are very hungry and the dollar exchange rate is no longer within the reach of poor masses.
“In Delta State, we expect Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to revive the ailing and moribund industries as a way to create employment for young school leavers rather than leaving the country in search of a better life.
“It is very sad that our politicians have been very corrupt with some of them looting money they do not need. They loot to leave money for children and children’s children who will eventually become irresponsible and will be unable to manage the huge money stolen from the government by the politicians.
“This is very wrong and it is our prayer that God would touch their hearts to give us the dividends of democracy. It is a big shame to our leaders that at 64 years after independence, Nigerians cannot boast of anything done well to better the lives of the citizens. Rather, the country has produced corrupt leaders who continue to loot the wealth of the nation”.
Continuing, Rev. Fr. Uganwa said, “I’m calling on all humans to daily prepare for death because death is a must for all mortals.
“Dr. Cairo Ojougboh was a patriot, nationalist, statesman, socialite, and man of the people who used his life to serve God and humanity.
“We have gathered to pray for God’s mercy on late Ojougboh that the Lord will accept his soul in His paradise. I want to equally remind politicians of the need to see their position as a platform to render selfless service”.
The cleric added that “it is absurd for Nigerians to suffer under-development and lack of electricity after 64 years of nationhood.”
He called on the deceased’s family to be closer to Christ who has called their father home, stating that Ojougboh at 64 has completed his earthly race being a light to his Alihame Community and to so many who came across him while alive.
Testifying to the life and times of the late sexagenarian, Rev. Fr. Ralph Ifeanyi Obichie affirmed that Ojougboh is a man with a good heart who through his huge assistance support their new parish (St. John Paul II Guzape), Abuja when it was built.
In his words, “The Ojougboh I knew has a large heart to work for God. His departure came as shock to us. We are consoled by the fact that death is only a transition to another life. Our beloved brother, uncle, and father (Ojougboh) is not dead but has transited to greater ground to be with the Lord.
“I want to enjoin the bereaved family of Ojougboh not to grieve but take solace that their late father has lived his mark and that he will forever be remembered”.
Speaking at the church service, the first son of the deceased, Nkem Ojougboh said his father left indelible footprints on the sands of time and pledged on behalf of his family to immortalize him by upholding his legacies. He further thanked all who identified with his family since the demise of their father. He solicited continued prayers for them to stand firm in this period of bereavement.
Meanwhile, the revered Agbor monarch, His Royal Majesty Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, the Dein of Agbor in the company of some of his chiefs has condoled the Ojougboh family members while enjoining them to continue to live in love, unity, and peace as one big family. He further enjoined them to take solace in the fact that their late husband, father, and uncle had lived a life of great impact and died a nationalist.
It would be recalled that the chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, late Chief Ojougboh was said to have given up the ghost following the tense encounter while watching the semi-final match between the Nigeria Super Eagles match and South Africa in the African Cup of Nations held in Cote d’Ivoire on the night of February 7, 2024.
“The incident happened when the penalty was awarded against Nigeria. Dr Ojougboh was said to have shouted and slumped due to a massive heart attack when SA scored.”
Late Chief Ojougboh, a medical doctor by profession had represented the Ika Federal Constituency between 2003-2007 in the House of Representatives amongst other positions. He is married with children.