The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, on Monday described James Ocholi, the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, as a detribalised Nigerian and passionate man of peace.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja, by Victor Oluwadamilare, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
In the statement, Shittu said the late Ocholi helped to resolve a problem between him and another aspirant at the inception of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
“At the inception of the APC, following the merger imbroglio in Oyo State, late Ocholi, on his own volition came all the way from Abuja to mediate.
“He consequently reconciled me with the Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, he is a complete gentleman and a man of peace while on this side of the divide.
“Ocholi, who happened to be a professional colleague and a political soul-mate made a lasting impression on me as a detribalised Nigerian and a passionate man of peace, ”Shittu said.
He said that Ocholi’s death was a big blow and a great loss not only to members of his immediate family, but also to a nation in need of quality men and women.
“The contributions of late Ocholi to the Nigerian polity and political party development cannot be quantified.
“ His robust and intellectual input to deliberation at the Federal Executive Council meetings shall linger on in the memory of his colleagues,” Shittu added.
The minister prayed for the repose of the souls of Ocholi, his wife and son; commiserated with members of his family, the people and the government of Kogi and Nigerians.
NAN recalls that the late minister, in the company of his wife and son met their untimely death on Kaduna-Abuja Road on March 6, 2016.(NAN)
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