Saraki, Ekeremadu, Dogara, Lasun, Mark express shock

Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday led the leadership of the National Assembly in expressing deep shock and disbelief over the demise of Minister of State for Labour and Productivity,

Chief James Ocholi, his wife and eldest son in a road mishap along the Abuja – Kaduna road on Sunday.

Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the death as a colossal loss to the present administration and the country.

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 Zone and the family of the deceased over the unfortunate incident.

Saraki said: “I still recall when the late Ocholi appeared before the Senate to be screened and confirmed as minister a few months ago. He was not only full of life; he came across to me as a man of great ideas and accomplishments.

“He was very articulate and brilliant in his presentation and gave good account of himself as Senior Advocate of repute, who given the chance to discharge the duty assigned to him, would have contributed immensely in turning around the story of unemployment in this country.

“His death and that of his wife and eldest son, is a colossal loss to me, his immediate family, the people and government of Kogi State, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the entire country”, he stated.

Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekeremadu, on his part, expressed sadness and shock over the death of Ocholi and members of his family.

In a condolence message to the President, Ekweremadu described the late Ocholi as a seasoned professional colleague and 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 APC, but also to the nation in its entirety”.

“I therefore send my heartfelt condolences to Mr. President, the APC, the government and good people of Kogi State, and his immediate family. I pray God to grant their souls peaceful repose and to all of us the inner strength to bear the irreparable loss”.

House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and his deputy, Yussuff Lasun, also expressed shock over the death of the minister.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said the country has lost a patriot and a perfect gentleman.

Dogara, who described the death of Ocholi and his family members as tragic, expressed his condolence to Buhari, government and people of Kogi State over the loss.

He said: “I am shocked by the news of sudden demise of Mr. Ocholi, his wife and son in a ghastly motor accident on Sunday.

“We have lost one of our finest lawyers, dogged fighter and a committed progressive. The legal profession has lost one of its best.

“The death of the Ocholis is a big tragedy and only God will give comfort and solace to the immediate family. We share in the pains and our prayers are with them at this difficult moment.”

“I pray almighty God to grant their souls eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Yussuff, in a condolence message by his spokesman, Wole Oladimeji, expressed shock, saying it was unfortunate that Nigeria lost such a bright light at a time such people are needed to make a change in the country.

Former Senate President, David Mark, in a statement, entitled: “Nigeria has lost a bright, fertile mind”, described the death of the minister, his wife and son as one tragedy too many.

Mark, who reacted to the tragedy through his media aide, Paul Mumeh, said that the death of Ocholi has robbed the nation of a very vibrant, articulate, progressive and fertile mind.

Source