The late Samuel Ogbemudia

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has declared Friday, 17 March as public holiday in honour of the late Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.

The Governor said the holiday is to enable Edo people mourn and pay their last homage to the great leader and father of Edo and Delta state respectively.

A statement from the Office of the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, said students are expected to queue up in their uniforms at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium by 9 am on Friday, while civil servants are also expected to be seated for the inter-denominational church service at the same venue by 10 am.

“Government hereby urges all Edo people to pay their last respect during the burial ceremonies,” the statement concluded.

Ogbemudia, one of the patriarchs of the defunct Midwest and the first and two-time governor of the then Bendel state, died in in Lagos in the early hours of Thursday, 9th of March 2017.