—TRAGEDY struck, yesterday, as the Minster of State for
Labour, Chief James Ocholi (SAN), his wife and son died in a fatal
auto crash along Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and
sadness over the development.
While Ocholi, 55, and his son, Aaron Enojo, 20, died instantly, his
wife, Blessing Fatima, a Registrar at Salem University, Sokoto, was
said to have died later from injuries sustained in the crash. It was gathered that the wife slipped into coma before she finally
gave up the ghost in the hospital.
The late minister and members of his family were said to be
travelling in his Prado sports utility vehicle when the accident
occurred.

How he died
Explaining how the minister and his family members died 57
kilometers away from Kaduna, Kaduna State Sector Commander of
Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Francis Udoma, said the
rear tyre of the SUV they were travelling in burst, while the vehicle
skidded off the road and somersaulted several times into the bush.
Udoma, who made this known in a telephone chat with newsmen in
Kaduna, yesterday, said: “The rear tyre burst and the vehicle
somersaulted into the bush. The minister and his son died on the
spot, the wife died in the government hospital at Doka, Kaduna.
“His driver, the chief detail, the orderly and the P. A. (Personal
Assistant) were injured and are receiving treatment.”
The news of the minister’s death reportedly rattled the Presidency,
which deployed some members of the cabinet to receive his remains
at National Hospital, Abuja, last night.
They include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF,
Babachir Lawal; Governor Yahaya Bello Kogi State; Minister of
Labour, Chris Ngige; Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole; Dr.
Jaf Momoh, and Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Tayo
Haastrup,
Buhari expresses shock, sadness
Reacting to the accident, President Muhammadu Buhari in a
statement by Garba Shehu, his spokesman, described Ocholi’s death
as untimely, regretting that Nigeria had lost a key component of the
change agenda.
He also described the deceased as an accomplished and patriotic
Nigerian, saying: “Barrister Ocholi was an accomplished and patriotic
Nigerian, who was keen to accept the call to service at a time his
country needed him.”
The President remarked that in the few months Ocholi had been in
office, he had already begun to distinguish himself through his
commitment and dedication to his portfolio, adding that Ocholi had a
long record of political association with him.
Buhari also extended his condolences to the government and people
of Kogi State, who he described as having lost a distinguished and
irreplaceable son.
This was even as he also sent the Secretary to the Government of
the Federation, Mr David Babachir, to formally convey the news to
members of the deceased family as well as his church and prayed
that God comforts and grants them the grace to bear the loss.
“The entire country mourns the loss of this great man, who has
sadly left us when we need him most,” the President said.
He was pragmatic, dynamic lawyer — Kogi gov
Also reacting to Ocholi’s death, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State
expressed shock and described him as a pragmatic and dynamic
lawyer.
Bello in a statement issued, yesterday, in Lokoja by his Chief Press
Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo, described the late Ocholi as a pragmatic,
dynamic, humane and brilliant law officer, who was known around
the world for his dexterous approach to legal and political issues
and one of the most unswerving constitutional lawyers Nigeria has
ever produced.
“The governor recollected with nostalgia how the late Senior
Advocate of Nigeria joined other progressive minded individuals
around the country to drive the intellectual pillars of the All
Progressives Congress. The late Ocholi was a complete gentleman,
who was irrevocably committed to the advancement of Nigeria,”
Fanwo said.
The governor also described the late minister as a detribalized
Nigerian, who believed in the oneness of the nation, summing up his
death as an irreparable loss to Kogi State, Nigeria, the All
Progressives Congress and the legal profession.
Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Imam, said the late
minister’s quest for peaceful resolution of every issues, be it
political, community or otherwise, endeared him to the hearts of the
people.
Umar in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Bawa
Dangana, said though the death occurred at a time he was needed
most, the people of the state would take solace in the agitation of
the late minister to ensure that peace reigned in the society.
The speaker urged the family to take solace in God, and urged the
people of the state to take lessons from his death and pursue peace
at all times.
Erstwhile Minister of Labour and Abuja lawyer, Nwadiala Emeka
Wogu, in his tribute, described his death as shocking and
saddening.
He said: "It is very sad and shocking and a big loss to the legal
profession. The labour movement will miss him, given his active
involvement in the peaceful resolution of industrial issues."
It's a monumental loss —APC
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in reaction, described the
death of the minister and his son as shocking and a monumental
loss.
APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, in a condolence message,
said the late Ocholi, who was the party’s Deputy National Legal
Adviser, would be remembered for his selfless service to the country
as minister, party, legal profession and his home state, Kogi.
While extending his condolences to the people and government of
Kogi State, Buni prayed God to grant Ocholi’s immediate family the
fortitude to bear the painful loss.
A condolence message by his friend, Mr. Sebastian, read: "It is
simply unbelievable that my good friend, James Ocholi, SAN, is
dead. Worse is that he died with his beloved wife and child. This is
most tragic. This is most shocking.
Death, where is your victory? ‘Where is your sting? Christ overcame
you and rendered you comatose on that Old, Rugged Cross when He
resurrected with tempestuous power. I mock you in most un-
mistaken terms."
It's devastating —El-Rufai
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State in a statement yesterday,
said Kaduna State government was in deep shock over the loss.
El-Rufai, through his spokesman, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, said the
accident was devastating.
He said: “The state government extends its heartfelt condolences to
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ocholi family.
“Our condolences go to members of the Federal Executive Council
and the entire nation. The minister died at a critical time when his
contributions in the ongoing national rebirth and realisation of the
change mantra are needed. May the Almighty God grant their souls
eternal rest.”
It's sad —NBA
In his reaction, NBA President, Augustine Alegeh, SAN, said: “It is a
sad and shocking news. It is unbelievable. James was a devout
Christian, a consummate bar man whose knowledge of law stood
tall.
"He was modest, unassuming but very clear-headed and efficient in
the discharge of his duties. He contributed immensely to the
development of the bar. This is a very sad and painful loss to the
entire bar. We pray for the safe recovery of his wife and others
involved in the accident”
Labour analyst, Mrs. Funmi Komolafe, said: "His (Ocholi)
appointment was seen as an indication that the Buhari
administration was set to move the ministry beyond dispute
resolution and strikes.
"It was the first time that the ministry had a Minister of State. Before
his appointment, the ministry always had a minister. Successive
governments never saw Labour as a key ministry that deserves a
Minister of State. "Ocholi died before he could make his mark or
justify his appointment.’’

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May thier soul rest in peace.