A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former executive director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Cairo Ojougboh, slumped and died yesterday while watching the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final game between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
According to a family source who confirmed the death to Channels Television, Ojougboh, who represented Ika federal constituency of Delta State in the house of representatives from 2003 to 2007, slumped in his Abuja office while watching the match.
Another source, however, said: “The incident happened when the penalty was awarded against Nigeria. Dr Ojougboh was said to have shouted and slumped due to massive heart attack when SA scored.”
Also confirming the death of the 64-year-old politician was the spokesman for Agbor Community Union, Mr Augustine Ekamagule,
“According to the president general of the Agbor Community Union, Chief Laurence Onyeche, Ojougboh died in Abuja while watching the football match of Nigeria vs South Africa.
“He said a member of Ojougboh family called him around 3am. on Thursday, informing him that Cairo Ojougboh had passed on.
“The family member said Ojougboh was watching the match and immediately South Africa scored the goal, he shouted and slumped.
“All efforts to revive him were not fruitful. It was around that 3am the family announced his death,” he told Punch in an interview.
Onyeche described the deceased as “the number one politician in Agbor until his death.”
“On behalf of the president general and members of Agbor Community Union where the Ojougboh belongs, we sympathise with the family.
“Our president general has asked me to issue a statement and he described Ojougboh as a fearless politician who did not only establish himself at the local level but at the national level,” he added.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu in his condolence message issued by his spokesman, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, comforted the deceased family urged them to find strength and hope in God Almighty
In a statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that President Bola Tinubu receives the news of the passing of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, former Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who died on Wednesday.
“Dr. Ojougboh was a member of the House of Representatives (2003–2007) and a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State.
“President Tinubu condoles with the Ojougboh family, the government, and the people of Delta State over this tragic loss.
“While praying for the peaceful repose of the departed, President Tinubu comforts his family and urges them to find strength and hope in God Almighty, who presides over the affairs of men, as well as in the cherished memories and legacy of the late APC chieftain.”
Similarly, the former vice president, Mr Atiku Abubakar, mourned the death his political associate.
Posting a photo of Ojougboh on X on Thursday, Atiku wrote: “The sudden passing of my close friend, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, deeply saddens me.
“His love for our country was profound. Cairo was a shining example of patriotism; his dedication to Nigeria was unwavering, and his departure is a personal loss that leaves a void in my heart.”
“As we mourn, let us remember the passion and zeal for Nigeria that defined his life. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
