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Tinubu, OBJ, Others Pay Tribute To Ex-Minister, Ogbeh
President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo led other prominent political figures to pay tributes to the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who died on Saturday at the age of 78.
A statement by the Ogbeh family confirmed that the elder statesman died peacefully.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Chief Audu Ogbeh,” the family said.
Ogbeh’s family described him as a man who “departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation and community.”
They expressed gratitude to friends, colleagues and well-wishers for their prayers and support, adding that funeral details would be announced later.
Born in Otukpo, Benue State, Ogbeh attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later the University of Toulouse in France, where he rose from teaching assistant to head of the Language, Arts and Social Sciences Department at Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology in 1977.
His political career began with his election to the Benue State House of Assembly in 1979, where he served as Deputy Speaker.
He later became Minister of Communications (1982–1983) and Minister of Steel Development until the December 1983 coup.
Ogbeh took a break from politics to focus on agriculture, running rice mills, cashew plantations, and agricultural consultancy projects.
He returned to national service with his membership of National Constitutional Conference Commission (1993) and the National Reconciliation Committee (1995).
A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ogbeh served as National Chairman of the party (2001–2005), and opposed Obasanjo’s third-term agenda—a move that led to his resignation. He later served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Leading the tributes, President Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, acknowledged Ogbeh’s intellectual contributions to policy formulation and his articulation of practical solutions to complex national challenges.
He also recognised that Ogbeh, who joined politics in the 70s as a legislator, was a founding member of the All Progressives Congress.
“Chief Audu Ogbeh was a patriot whose wisdom, dedication, and pursuit of progress left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape. He was always ready with facts and figures to support his propositions. The nation will sorely miss his insightful perspectives and wealth of experience,” Tinubu said.
In his tribute, former President Obasanjo expressed sadness at Ogbeh’s demise.
Obasanjo, who is in Uganda on a visit, described the late Minister as a peace-loving, unassuming, committed patriot and a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President stated that Ogbeh was “a man whose political career stretched from the military era through the present democratic dispensation.
“Chief Audu Ogbeh will be missed for his unwavering commitment to politics, governance and democracy as he made significant contributions to the re-establishment of democracy in Nigeria. His place will be very difficult to fill within his community, the State, the Party and the nation.”
Similarly, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, described Ogbeh as one of the rare public figures whose words carried the weight of integrity.
“In his work and my encounters with him, I saw a man deeply rooted in good values and genuinely concerned for the interest of the people he served.
“Our nation has lost a voice of reason and a heart of service. I extend my condolences to his wife, children, the entire Ogbeh family, and all who mourn his passing. May the Almighty grant them the strength and fortitude to bear this great and irreparable loss,” Saraki wrote on his verified X handle.
Also, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, speaking on behalf of the forum, described Ogbeh as a towering political figure, a statesman of uncommon intellect, and an iconic son of northern Nigeria.
Yahaya said Ogbeh brought dignity and depth to every office he held and served the country with integrity and commitment.
He added that his death was “a huge loss not only to Benue State and the North, but to the entire nation.”
Also, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, said he received the report of the demise of the former minister with sadness.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the governor expressed regrets over Ogbeh’s death.
He said the consolation was that Ogbeh lived a successful and fulfilled life, and was greatly respected and admired by many, adding that his legacies would be remembered.
The system read partly, “He, however, states that as a politician, former Federal Minister of Communications, former Minister of Steel Development, former chairman of the PDP, farmer and playwright, the late Chief Ogbeh lived a successful and fulfilled life, and was greatly respected and admired by many, adding that his legacies will always be remembered.”
In his tribute, former Delta State governor, James Ibori, hailed Ogbeh as “one of the most effective chairmen the PDP ever produced.
“He was not about money or bribes; he upheld internal democracy in the party and was a man of integrity.
“As National Chairman, he had express instructions to prevent me from running in 2003, but he was too decent to act on such underhanded schemes. On behalf of myself, my wife, and my entire family, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, and the good people of Benue State. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” Ibori said in a statement.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demanded quick and full resolution to the challenges arising from the gas leakage that occurred in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will arrive Lagos today having departed Johannesburg at midnight yesterday with 271 returnees on board.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.
