Aaron James Ocholi, son of the late Minister of State for Labour and
Employment, James Ocholi, said yesterday that the four children left
behind by the late Minister will strive to fulfil their parents’ dream
for them.
In a brief emotional remark when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,
visited the family, Aaron said though they missed their parents greatly,
they were not hopeless.
He said: “We are not hopeless; we are really proud of the man he was.
We’ll continue to pray to God to comfort us. We will not feel dejected.
We will strive to become in life what he always wanted us to be and
taught us to be. The First Lady also came here yesterday and assured us
we are not alone.”
He expressed the gratitude of the family, particularly his siblings,
to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Vice President and the nation for
their show of love since the death of their parents and brother.
Addressing the children, Prof. Osinbajo described the late Ocholi as a
committed Christian and patriot who was always ready to make a
sacrifice for the course he believed in.
The Vice President, who arrived at the No 4 Dagash Street residence
of the late Minister at 4:45pm, said: “We have lost someone we held in
high esteem who was well respected. It is unfortunate that this
happened.”
Osinbajo recalled the late Ocholi’s role in the formation of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), accepting to take the position of Deputy
National Legal Adviser even when the National Legal Adviser was not a
lawyer.
He said such sacrifice and humility will not be in vain. “It is
incredible that this happened. You really have to seek God’s comfort,”
he told the family.
Signing the condolence register, the Vice President wrote: “My
brother learned and spiritual, your memorial will live on and will be
source of pride and joy to us all. May the Lord comfort these young
children and give us cause to rejoice in them, Amen.”
The National Working Committee of the APC held a valedictory session
in honor of the late Minister who was praised for his sacrifice towards
the party’s formation.
Acting National Chairman Segun Oni who presided over the session
directed that all flags at the party’s national secretariat be flown at
half mast for the next three days in honour of the late Ocholi.
Oni said: “All we can do is to surrender to the will of God. Those
who have come across James Ocholi should take one or two lesson from
him. He was driven more by service. He took every opportunity for
service without considering what will come out of it.
“He was the only member of Federal Executive Council who visited the
secretariat frequently. Sometimes, he will meet us in a meeting and he
will advise us on the legal implications of some of the decisions we
were taking.
“He was always willing to give and was passionate about the party. If
we can have a few more people to contribute like him, Nigeria will be
much better for all of us. All we can do is to pray that God will
console and condole the family he left behind.
“He gave a good example of what Christians should do generally. I
Pray God stand in the gap for his family. I wish, as Nigerians, we will
have no reason to sorrow over our stars again.
On behalf of the party, we send our condolences to the President, the
Vice President and all members of the Federal Executive Council, the
government and people of Kogi State through the governor and to his
family. We pray God will abide with each of them and console all of us.”
Other members of the NWC took time to eulogise the late Ocholi,
concluding that the party has lost one of the most accessible ministers.
National Vice Chairman, South, Prince Hilliard Etta described the
late Ocholi as a “perfect gentleman”, saying “you could smell his
humility miles away”. “He was one of the most approachable ministers in
the cabinet,” he added.
APC National Secretary Mai Mala Buni said the late Ocholi lived a fulfilled life, describing him as a committed party member.
National Organising Secretary Osita Izunaso said most of the
provisions in the party’s constitution were made possible by the late
minister and recalled that he actually administered the oat of office on
the NWC members.
The Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, pointed
out that even though he was not a member of the party’s executive, the
late Ocholi was prepared to offer his legal services to ensure that the
party was well represented in court.
“He was always prepared to accept any kind of challenge. He once told
me that if he had time, he would tell me how he survived after his
parents died. We never sat to discuss that. He was always full of
energy. Always ready to go about doing assignments given to him.”
National Treasurer Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa said: “The late Ocholi was
a great party man and a frontline agent of change. We lost a friend at a
time he was needed most.”
National Woman Leader Hajiya Ramatu Tijani Aliyu said: “We lost an illustrious son who always stood for progressive ideas.”
Source:
The Nation