A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who died during the tension-soaked Super Eagle vs South Africa match in February, has been laid to rest in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Ojougboh passed away at 64, on February 7, 2024, while watching the Nigeria vs South Africa match during the Africa Cup of Nations.
The former Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission was said to have suffered a heart attack when the referee cancelled a goal scored by Nigeria and at the same time awarded a penalty in favour of South Africa.
In a homily on Friday at the funeral service held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor, Rev’d Fr Charles Uganwa blamed Nigeria politicians for underdevelopment after 64 years of nationhood.
He said, “I’m calling on all creatures to prepare for death on a daily basis because death is a must for all mortals.
“Dr Cairo Ojougboh is a patriot, nationalist, statesman, socialite and man of the people who used his life to serve God and humanity.
“I want to equally remind politicians of the need to see their position as a platform to render selfless services.
“It is absurd for Nigerians to suffer underdevelopment and lack of electricity after 64 years of nationhood.”
The cleric called on Ojougboh family to draw closer to Christ who had called their father home.
Fr Uganwa reminded Governor Sheriff Oborevweri’s administration of the need to do more in human capital development, revival of ailing and moribund industries as a way to tackle unemployment.
In his remark, a son of the deceased, Nkem Ojougboh, said his father left indelible footprints on the sands of time and pledged on behalf of his family to immortalise him by upholding his legacies.
He thanked everyone who identified with his family since the demise of his father.
Governor Oborevwori of Delta State, his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, and a former Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, among other dignitaries, attended the funeral service.
