Children of the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi, told the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, that despite the sudden death of their father and mother in a ghastly motor accident, they were not hopeless.
The children made this declaration as Nigerian Tribune confirmed that the burial of late Ocholi, his wife and son will take place between Wednesday and Saturday next week.
Osinbajo led a number of prominent Nigerians to the Dagash Street Kado Estate, Abuja residence of the late minister, to pay a condolence visit to the family.
The vice-president, who organised a prayer session for the family, arrived at the residence around 4.45 p.m. and was met on arrival by the children of the diseased, who were led by a confidant, special assistant and a very close family friend to the deceased, Dr Dan Ogun.
First son of the deceased, Aaron, who spoke on behalf of the children, said with the calibre of Nigerians who were coming to identify with the family, they were not feeling dejected, but proud to be Nigerians.
Aaron only prayed that God would give them the grace to become what he taught them to be.
Dr Ogun, who worked very closely with the late Ocholi, spoke with Nigerian Tribune on the position of the children on the vice-president’s visit.
He said: “As you have heard the son say on behalf of the children, though they are mourning, they are not hopeless. I think that is a message from the scripture, because some day, they are going to see their parents, Some day, they are going to see their sibling. Once they have the Lord Jesus as their Lord and saviour, even though they are mourning, the temporary departure and separation of theirs, they are nonetheless hopeless. They are never hopeless because there is hope after death, there is resurrection and the future belongs to God, so their destiny is in His hand and he will secure it for them.”He stated that with the calibre of people coming, the vice-president and other prominent Nigerians, he felt sorry and challenged, adding “sorry, because here was somebody that had great potential to be part and parcel of the committed change agenda for Nigeria and his life was cut short. I felt sorry because he did not have a longer period to actualise this change agenda with a team led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I feel excited and inspired because it shows that even though he lived a short life, he lived well and for that time he lived, he made a mark. I think that is the greatest challenge to me. He made a mark in the church, he made a mark at the Bar, he made a mark in public service, he made a mark all round.
“The burial takes place next week. I can’t be exact of the day, but between Wednesday and Saturday. The activities will begin about Wednesday.”The vice-president told the family to take heart, as God is the author of life and Him alone can comfort them, adding that they should, however, seek the face of the Lord as they go through the pains of losing both parents and a brother to a single tragic incident.
The other children of late Ocholi are Ojone, Aaron, Blessing and Ele.
Other prominent Nigerians who paid a condolence visit were the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali; former Ekiti State governor and Minister of Mineral Resources, Kayode Fayemi; Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malani; and the national president, Association of Market Women in Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo.
The late minister’s house on Dagash Street, in Kado Estate, Abuja had been playing host to sympathisers since his demise on Sunday.
The Senate President, who led other members of the Senate, wrote in the condolence register opened for the late minister: “I’m here leading a delegation of my colleagues in the Senate to commiserate and condole with the family of James Ocholi, particularly the children, who suddenly lost their parents.
Those who accompanied the Senate President on the visit were Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na Allah, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim and Senator Philip Aduda.
Also paying tribute to the late minister, former national chairman of PDP, Colonel Ahmadu Ali, said after condoling with the family, that his demise was a catastrophy for the Igala Kingdom and Nigeria.
Nasarawa State governor, Tanko Almakura, who led members of his cabinet, prayed for the repose of the soul of the late minister and asked God to strengthen the family.
He said:
“It is a serious loss to this country. It is a personal loss to me, because we have come a long way. Among all the governorship candidates in the last election, he was my closest friend. He is someone with a sound legal influence in this administration.
“We have been so close, even when I have events, I don’t need to invite him before he attends my functions. We were together two weeks ago.
“I feel pained. We would continue to pray for the family, because it is a devastating loss and quite tragic. We feel for the children, but we know that the Almighty God will continue to be with you. Though you lost your biological father, you have fathers in us”
In his tribute to late Ocholi, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said the demise of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment had created a vacuum in their longstanding political family.
He said:
“We remain in pains, but with greater submission to our Lord, in whose abode we pray for your rest in peace. Our tears keep flowing, despite consolation of the loved ones. Rest in peace Ocholi.”
In the condolence register, the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita wrote: “My dear brother, I received this terrible news with great shock. We were together just last week Thursday. The short time we spent together in the cabinet, I saw you as a perfect gentleman, a consumate professional, truly patriotic and loyal to our principal and this great nation.
“We cannot question God. He alone knows why. I promise you and your darling wife and son that your children shall never be alone. Rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
