Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Many things have been said since the demise of Barrister James Ocholi, Nigeria's minister of state for labour on Sunday, March 6.

The late minister, his wife and son reportedly died on his way from church, as well as his driver.

His death has immediately sparked a lot of reactions from Nigerians who knew him closely and those who had only know him during the ministerial screening where he was adjudged one of the best nominees at the time.

Legit.ng's Wuraola Zainab has compiled top 10 things that prominent Nigerians said about the late minister.

The national women leader of the APC, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said: "You were right up till your death, a consummate gentleman, a source legal luminary and a quintessential family man."

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Ex-vice president, Abubakar Atiku, in his message, said: "The nation had lost a committed professional whose place in his profession, political party and the budding administration in place today, would be hard to fill."

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Senator Chris Ngige who worked closely with Ocholi in the ministry of Labour, said: "He died in active service and described him as an amiable and responsible family man."

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Umar Duhu, the immediate past interim national vice chairman of the APC in the north east, said: “He was indeed a leader per excellence and a change agent.”

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Mai Mala Buni, the national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said: "he would be remembered for his selfless service to the country as minister, party, legal profession, and his home state Kogi."

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who spoke through his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, stated as well, that "the minister died at a critical time when his contributions in the on-going national rebirth and realisation of the change mantra were needed."

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state said: "Ocholi was a complete gentleman and was irrevocably committed to the advancement of Nigeria."

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state described Ocholi as "A nice and responsible man who was conscious of his responsibility. It is a sad and national calamity."

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

President Muhammadu Buhari said: "Barrister Ocholi was an accomplished and patriotic Nigerian, who was keen to accept the call to service at a time his country needed him and concluded that it is a tragedy of monumental proportion. Ocholi was a key component of the change agenda."

Top 10 things prominent Nigerians said about Ocholi

Ocholi's uncle, Abdallah Aliu in grief, said: "While I was in his house, I already knew because those who conspired and plotted it (the death) became jittery because I have never been to that house and they don’t know me. But somehow, they became jittery, scared and worried."

The late minister will be buried later this week as reported by the family members.

Source: Legit.ng

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Khadijah Thabit (Copyeditor) Khadijah Thabit is an editor with over 3 years of experience editing and managing contents such as articles, blogs, newsletters and social leads. She has a BA in English and Literary Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Khadijah joined Legit.ng in September 2020 as a copyeditor and proofreader for the Human Interest, Current Affairs, Business, Sports and PR desks. As a grammar police, she develops her skills by reading novels and dictionaries. Email: khadeeejathabit@gmail.com