A former lawmaker, Sen. Abubakar Gada, has called on the federal government to immortalise Cairo Ojuogboh for his contributions toward developing the country.

Mr Ojuogboh, a former member of the House of Representatives died on Feb. 8, while watching the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa.

Mr Gada, who represented Sokoto East at the National Assembly, stated this when he briefed journalists on the burial arrangements for the deceased.

He said that a group of friends of the deceased lawmaker was working with his family to organise a befitting farewell for him under the leadership of elder statesman, Edwin Clark, whom he described as the father of the nation.

Mr Gada described Mr Ojuogboh as an enigma and expressed the need for the federal government to immortalise him.

“Ojuogboh by his standing, deserved to be immortalised.

“This is because generations yet unborn will meet and reflect on his life and sacrifices for humanity as a medical doctor, as a politician, as a parliamentarian, endlessly.

“So, coming to specifics, Ojuogboh is from Anioma in Delta, he crisscrossed this nation in his effort to make society not only harmonious but consciously, development-oriented,” he said.

Mr Gada also called on Delta government to also rename one of the state health sector facility after him as a way of immortalising him.

“I will also call on the Delta House of Assembly to immortalise him, in addition to whatever respect they will accord to him, they as parliamentarians should immortalise him by having facility, state assembly facility to immortalise him.

“Ojuogboh died during the semi-final match of the African Cup of Nations, we have had loses but the most expensive and costly to the nation was that of Ojuogboh.

“And so, sport family and the sport sector is hereby invited to immortalise Dr Ojuogboh as a nationalist, patriot and a sport promoter and fan who believed in the unity that is guaranteed in sports and sportsmanship activities in the country.

“This is because sports happens to be one sector that unifies the nation so easily, so patriotically at all times and it is one thing that has no tribe or religion, or geographical limit.

“And it’s a reflection of the entirety of what Ojuogboh stood for and believed in,” he said.

Mr Gada added: “He lived and left this country while celebrating Nigeria’s success and victory in this formidable, socio-cultural and psychological sector, sports.

“For this, we call on all, without limits, these levels of government, to deservingly, reward and immortalise the name of Dr Ojuogboh so that it will be for eternity.”

(NAN)