Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, PhD, has said that Nigeria lost a great patriot in former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh.
Ogbeh died on Saturday at the age of 78.
His illustrious political career spanned decades, with notable appointments under President Shehu Shagari as Minister of Communications in 1982, and later, Minister of Steel Development.
Ogbeh’s tenure suddenly ended in December 1983, when a military coup brought Major-General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
In 2001, he emerged as the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He later joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014 and thereafter served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2015 to 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari.
Earlier in 1979, Ogbeh served as Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly after winning election on the platform of National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
Paying tribute to his legacy, Kalu in a statement described Ogbeh as “brilliant, visionary, principled, charismatic, statesmanlike, courageous, astute, exemplary, inspirational, and transformative.”
The Deputy Speaker also noted Ogbeh’s vast knowledge and political experience, saying that his contributions to Nigerian politics, agriculture, and literature are immeasurable.
He said that Ogbeh genuinely believed in Nigeria’s greatness and its productive capabilities, recalling that he consistently decried the importation of certain commodities such as tomato paste and toothpicks into the country.
Kalu revealed that Ogbeh was one patriotic Nigerian that was desirous of seeing the country overcome its economic challenges soonest.
The Deputy Speaker said that Ogbeh’s legacy of integrity, service, patriotism and dedication will continue to inspire many Nigerians even as the nation mourns his demise.
Praying for the repose of his soul, Kalu also asked God to comfort Ogbeh’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
