Prominent Nigerians today, March 18, trooped to the sleepy town of Abocho in Dekina local government area of Kogi state to pay their final respect to Ocholi, his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua.
Among those who were at the ceremony were members of the federal executive council led by vice president;Professor Yemi Osinbajo, secretary to the government of the federation; Engineer Babachir David Lawal; minister of labour and productivity; Chief Chris Ngige; minister of power, works and housing; Babatunde Fashola, minister of environment; Amina Mohammed and minister of state for petroleum; Ibe Kachikwu.
Others were minister of foreign affairs; Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of state for trade and investment; Aisha Abubakar; minister of health; Isaac Adewole, minster of state for health; Dr Osagie Ehanire, minister of communication; Adebayo Shittu, minister of defence; Brigadier General Dan Alli (rtd) and minister of Niger Delta; Pastor Usani Uguru Usani.
Also present were Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, his deputy; Simon Achuba, Benue state governor; Samuel Ortom, Nassarawa state deputy governor; Ali Agara, Senator Dino Melaye, former governor of Kogi state; Captain Idris Wada, Bishop Sam Amaga and prominent Kogi politician; Alhaji Isa Jibrin Echocho.
Others were Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president; Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Trade Union Congress (TUC) president; Bobboi Bala Kaigama, Bishop Segun Aina, Bishop John Ibenu and Ambassador Michael Friday.
In his speech, Osinbajo said: ”In the late Ocholi, Nigeria has lost a true patriot. He was one who we all respected, not just for his personal integrity but also for his humility.”
On his part, Governor Bello said: ”Kogi state and the entire good people of Nigeria has truly lost a great son in such a time as this that the nation seeks great minds like you.”
In his sermon at the ceremony, Bishop John Ibenu urged every Christian to live a good life and accept the teachings and doctrines of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
He praised the late minister for identifying with the church throughout his journey in life. There was a lying-in-state ceremony where all present filed past the bodies of the late Ocholis to say their fianl good-byes.