A former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Cairo Ojougboh and the deputy Bursar of the Kwara state University (KWASU) ,Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi fell ill and died while watching Nigeria Vs South Africa Semi-final match in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON), that is being hosted by Ivory Coast on Wednesday night.
The news of their death gave birth to an outpouring of grief and prominent Nigerians have sent condolences.
Recall that it was a match that made everyone be on the edge of their seats because it featured tense situations.
Alhaji Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi ,a former Ilorin South/Ilorin East PDP House of Representatives aspirant , ,was said to have watched the match at a football viewing center near his house in the Sango area of Ilorin.
‘The deputy Bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time and when it was the time for penalty shootout, he complained that he was feeling dizzy and he said he needed to go back home and rest .
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 they could attend to him, he had died’ a source said.
Dr Saedat Aliyu, Director of Information , KWASU, said Ayuba died on Wednesday night.
Aliyu ,who added that Ayuba was hale and hearty whilst at his workplace on Wednesday, said the cause of his death was yet to be ascertained by the management team of the University.
‘Inna lillahi wainna ilehi rajiun
This is to announce the death of Mr. Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi of Bursary Department.
Janazah will hold this morning, and his remains will be interred at the Hausa Muslim cemetery, Apata Yakuba, Oyun area, Ilorin, at 9 am.
May Allah forgive all his sins and grant him Aljannah firdaus. Aameen’ Dr Aliyu also submitted in a statement she issued on Thursday.
In the meanwhile, Delta state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed grief at the passing of Dr Cairo Ojougboh, who died on Wednesday night at the age of 64.
Dr Ojougboh, who was until his death on Wednesday, the Akinuwa of Agbor kingdom, had also represented Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
He was a PDP bigwig and also served as National Vice Chairman South-South of the party before defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He also served as Executive Director Projects , Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Governor Oborevwori, in a statement issued in Asaba on Thursday and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon commiserated with the Ojougboh family, the people of Ika nation, Agbor Kingdom and the APC family over the demise of the renowned politician.
He noted that Ojougboh was a grassroots politician and an administrator, who excelled in the various capacities he had served.
According to the governor, the deceased former lawmaker was a thoroughbred politician whose love for his people led him to contest, and won election to represent them in the Federal House of Representatives.
The Governor said: ‘On behalf of the government and people of Delta state, I mourn the passing of an astute and grassroots-oriented politician, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, who died on Wednesday.
The news of his death was shocking, given his invaluable contribution to the polity of the state and the country at large. Until his death, he was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state’.
Governor Oborevwori regretted that the deceased former federal lawmaker has died when his services are needed more, adding that he would be greatly missed.
He prayed God to accept the deceased politician’s soul and grant the family and friends he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.
Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has also expressed sadness over the death of Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi Olaitan.
Saraki in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Mr Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, described the deceased KWASU official as a devout Muslim, a peace-lover, a committed civil servant, and a patriotic Nigerian.
‘The passing of Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi Olaitan is a huge loss — not only to his family but to the Kwara State University community, the people of Ilorin Emirate, and Kwara in general. He was a devout Muslim, a peace-lover, a committed civil servant, and a patriotic Nigerian who will always be remembered for his selfless service to our dear state and the country as a whole.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the immediate family members of the late, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi Olaitan, the Kwara state University (KWASU) Community, and the people of the Ilorin Emirate. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this period of grief.
May Almighty Allah forgive his misdeeds and preserve for him a special place in Aljannah Firdaus’ he submitted
Kwara state PDP has also submitted that the party received with great shock, the news of the demise of Honourable Ayuba Abdullahi Olaitan, a one-time Secretary of Ilorin South Local Government .
The party in a statement issued in Ilorin by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr Olusegun Olusola Adewara on Thursday described Hon Ayuba as a bridge between the old and the young people who was fond of using his influence to make peace and bringing everyone together for a common societal goal.
‘Hon Ayuba was not just a prominent figure in our party; he was an outstanding democrat and a committed party man who used his time and energy to promote the cause of our party in Ilorin South and Kwara state in general.
He was a compassionate man whose tenacity inspired those around him to pursue their goals with strong will and fear of God. His striving to impact the lives of the people was also evident in his contribution to the cause of the PDP in Kwara state. His impact resonated in every nook and cranny of the state.
We, therefore, mourn the loss of a man whose vast experience and capacity were crucial in our quest to rescue the state from current political merchants who have been lording over Kwarans and milking the state dry since five years ago. Hon Ayuba pursued this cause diligently until his last breath, showcasing unwavering dedication, patriotism, and passion for the betterment of our great state and country.
In the face of this painful and devastating loss, we take solace in his exemplary life as his legacy will continue to inspire us in the pursuit of justice, and fairness in the upliftment of Kwara and Nigeria.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his immediate family, Ilorin South PDP, his friends, and admirers during this difficult time and we pray that Almighty Allah will grant him rest in Aljanat Firdaus’ the statement said-Team@orientactualmags.com
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