Neighbours of a former governor of defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, on Iheya streets and environs off New Lagos Street have said that they would miss a good man.
Iheya Street is not a high brow area in Benin City.
It was former Governor Adams Oshiomhole that rescued residents from perennial flooding by constructing all the 12 streets that linked Iheya with sidewalks and street lights.
The residents, who spoke to newsmen, said the presence of Dr. Ogbemudia made them have access to constant power supply.
Many of them have visited the deceased’s residence to sign the condolence register.
Zonal Accountant of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Pastor Joshua Effiong, recalled it was late Ogbemudia that gave them electricity when they first moved to the area.
He said: “I worked with the national commission for mass literacy. Our office moved into Edo State 2004. Before that time, this place was a bushy environment.
“When we came in, he assisted us in putting this place in order. In fact, he gave us direct line and we were using his own light for a quite a while.
“He has been a good neighbour. When we have the problem of water, we go there to fetch water.
“And during his birthday, he gave everybody access to his compound. So, Ogbemudia was a nice man.
“Really for few days he has not been around, there has been darkness because the light from his compound always reflect to this area. We missed him a lot.
“He was a cool headed man, a man that can accommodate people. A man that accepted all people and not really mind that you must be an Edo man,” he said.
State Secretary of Spray Painters Association, Comrade Andrew Ehigiamusoe, whose mechanic workshop is adjacent to Ogbemudia’s house, described him as a good man that loved everybody.
“The man is a very good man. In this state, he did many things that have made the state to develop.
“You can see everybody mourning. We are in the state of sober reflection. We are even crying for him now. He was a good man to us.
“I prayed that God should grant him rest and whatever sins he has committed that God should forgive him.
“Look at this road. He was the person who made it to be like this. If he were not residing here, I do not think that the comrade governor would have constructed this road. We missed him so much,” he said.
Ehis Aigberemolen, a mechanic, said late Ogbemudia respected landlords in the area and gave them gifts.
“The man was a good man who respected the land lords. He has given clothes, cows and other items to the people of the street. Whenever Ogbemudia is around, BEDC does not interrupt the light.
“What I want the federal government to do is to give him a befitting burial.
“ He spent over 24 years in this quarter but if it were to be some big men, they would have asked us to relocate our mechanic workshop from this area.
“But since I came, he has not harassed us but instead whenever he is celebrating his birthday, he invites us to join him in the celebration and gifts are usually given to us,” he said.
For Reverend Tina Solomon, late Ogbemudia was like a father figure to all in the community. “He has been there for every one of us both in the street and especially in this very family.
“Anybody that has an encounter with this man will know that he was a God sent especially to the family of late pastor Tina Solomon and my grandmother, late madam Modupe Poopola.
“I will miss his kindness, generosity and his love for mankind. He does not discriminate even we in the street will live to remember him always”.
(The Nation)
