The late military administrator of the defunct Mid-West region and governor of old Bendel State, late retired Brig. Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia, was buried yesterday in his residence in Benin City with full military honours. He died February 10 at the age of 84. As a mark of honour, a 21-gun salute was fired by a contingent of the Nigerian Army.

Dignitaries at the state funeral prayer held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium includeda former Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Chief Tom Ikimi, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, Delta State GovernorIfeanyi Okowa, former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole, former Delta State governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, former Edo State governor Lucky Igbinedion, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, former deputy governor Pius Odubu and members of the Edo State House of Assembly, among others.

In his tribute, Gen. Yakubu Gowon described the late Ogbemudia as a good administrator who had impacted positively on his people. “As a soldier, he played his part well before, during and after the Nigerian Civil War,” he said.

Gowon also said Ogbemudia gave his all not only to Edo and Delta states but to the Nigerian nation.

Adams Oshiomhole said Ogbemudia immortalised himself before his death with his legacies, adding that he would be remembered for the landmark projects he embarked upon in Edo and Delta states. Governor Godwin Obaseki said the nation had lost a leader whose exemplary style of governance had become a reference point for responsible governance in Nigeria.