Eminent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday expressed shock over the death in an auto crash of the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, James Ocholi (SAN). Ocholi died on Sunday alongside his wife, Blessing and first son, Joshua, in an accident along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “The demise of the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, James Ocholi, his wife and son, is tragic. In a tribute sent from his media office, the APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, described the death of Ocholi as a very huge loss to the nation.
He said: “This ranks among the most tragic death ever. It is the snatching away of one of the leading lights of our party the APC. “Ocholi departed when he was most needed. All the years, all the struggle, all the experience, the sacrifice, all lost in a moment of unfathomable tragic accident.
Also yesterday, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, expressed shock and disbelief over the death of Ocholi. He condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the Governor and people of Kogi State, leaders and people of North Central senatorial district and the immediate family of the deceased over the unfortunate incident. Similarly, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, also expressed sadness over the death of the Minister.
In a condolence message to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ekweremadu described late Ocholi as a seasoned professional colleague and a consummate public officer. He said: “The incident, which bleeds the heart, is not only a grievous loss to the Ocholi family, Mr. President and the All Progressives Congress (APC), but also to the nation in its entirety.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, also yesterday expressed shock over the death of Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Mr. James Ocholi, on Sunday. Ocholi, a senior advocate of Nigeria died in a road traffic accident with his wife and son along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The speaker, who described the death of Ocholi and his family members as tragic, expressed his condolence to President Muhammadu Buhari, Government and people of Kogi State over the big loss.
