Ojougboh was a courageous, outspoken personality – Ibori
Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, on Thursday, described as shocking, the death of a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.
Ojougboh, who represented Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives from 2003-2007 reportedly slumped and died while watching the semi-final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday.
Ibori, in a condolence message he personally signed expressed shock, disbelief and sadness over the sudden death of Ojougboh, who also served as a former Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
He said: “I am devastated by the news of the death of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, a very outspoken and courageous personality who served his community, Delta state and Nigeria well in different capacities during his lifetime?
“Our paths crossed years back as students in the University of Benin. Years later, our friendship became solidified when we both worked together to advance the interests of Delta State both at the national and state levels. The late Ojougboh was elected into the National Assembly in 2003 while I was also sworn-in for second term as governor.
“In everything that he did, Cairo was exemplary. He was a committed grassroots leader who lend helping hand to everyone around him during his lifetime.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. I pray that God repose his soul and give his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
AFCON: KWASU Bursar dies while watching Nigeria/South Africa match
The sweet victory of Nigeria over South Africa in the ongoing AFCON competition has claimed the life of Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi, who died on Wednesday evening while watching the semi-final match.
Vanguard reliably gathered that the tension-soaked match triggered the blood pressure of the Deputy Bursar beyond the limit, but unknown to him while the match was getting to critical stages.
Recall that Nigeria won the tension-soaked match against South Africa by 4 goals to 2, which was decided by a penalty kick after a 1-1 draw at extra time of the match.
Vanguard reliably gathered that the Deputy Bursar died yesterday after he went to watch the match at a sports centre in Sango area of Ilorin, which was very close to his house where the incident occurred.
According to the source, Ayuba watched the game till the end of the extra time when he felt uncomfortable and was rushed to a private hospital in the area where he gave up the ghost.
“The deputy bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, and when it was time for the penalty kick, he complained that he was feeling dizzy, so he said he needed to go back home and rest, not knowing that his BP had gone up.
“So on getting home, he collapsed, and he was rushed to a private hospital in Sango, where he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), and before he could be attended to, he died,” the source said.
He was buried on Thursday morning, according to Islamic rites.
Confirming the Deputy Bursar’s death, Dr Saedat Aliyu, Director of Information of KWASU, said that Ayuba died on Wednesday night.
Aliyu, who said that Ayuba was hale and hearty when he came to work on Wednesday, stated that the cause of the death was yet to be ascertained by the management of the university.
“Yes, he died last night. He was hale and hearty and was full of life on Wednesday at his office. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus,” she said.