James Ocholi : tragic auto accident
President Muhammadu Buhari, mourning the shocking death of James Ocholi, the minister of state for labour said today that Nigeria has lost one of the key components of the change agenda.
Ocholi, a senior advocate of Nigeria since 2006 and Buhari have a long history of political association, culminating in Ocholi’s appointment as a minister in November 2015.
Buhari expressed shock and sadness at James Ocholi’s death. Ocholi and his wife and son were killed in a car crash on Abuja-Kaduna highway on March 6, 2016.
President Buhari described the death as untimely, regretting that Nigeria has lost a key component of the CHANGE agenda.
“Barrister Ocholi was an accomplished and patriotic Nigerian, who was keen to accept the call to service at a time his country needed him,” President Buhari said.
He added that in the few months he had been in office, the late minister of state had already begun to distinguish himself through his commitment and dedication to his portfolio.
President Buhari also consoled with the government and people of Kogi State, whom he described as having lost a distinguished and irreplaceable son. He prayed that God would comfort them and grant them the grace to bear the loss.
“The entire country mourns the loss of this great man, who has sadly left us when we need him most,” he said.
President Buhari has also sent the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engineer David Babachir to formally convey the news to members of the deceased family as well as parishioners in his place of worship.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state Sunday has also described as shocking and sad the death of Mr. James Ocholi, his wife and son.
The governor expressed his shock in a press statement issued and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria.
The statement read thus:
“I received with shock, the sad news of the death of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr James Ocholi (SAN), his wife and son in an auto accident.
“His death is indeed a colossal loss to the nation, which he served devotedly to the end.
“I had several interactions with the late Minister and I found him to be a remarkably frank and patriotic Nigerian with a deep sense of commitment to the nation’s growth. He had a fervent passion to implement the Change agenda of Mr. President and worked assiduously to leave a lasting legacy in the Labour Ministry where he was Minister of State.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, I commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Governor and people of Kogi State and, indeed, all Nigerians on this sad development.
“I pray God to grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest and speedy recovery to the injured.”
