Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has assured bereaved families in Ihima Community, Okehi Local Government Area, of his administration’s continued support, as he led a series of condolence visits to families who recently lost their loved ones.
The Governor began his visit at the home of the family of Rear Admiral Hamza Sanni, a retired naval officer, where he described the deceased as a distinguished Nigerian who served the country diligently and contributed to the development of the nation.
Governor Ododo said the late Rear Admiral was a strong supporter of his administration, describing his death as a loss to Kogi State and the country.
He urged the family to take solace in the enduring legacy of the deceased and the lives he impacted during his years of service.
Earlier, the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Retd.), described the late naval officer as a distinguished veteran whose service had positively impacted many lives, noting that his contributions remained a source of pride to the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces.
The Commissioner for works, Barrister Ozigi Deedat, who hails from the community also commiserated with the family and prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.
Speaking on behalf of the community, a two-term member of the House of Representatives for Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdulkareem Salihu, thanked Governor Ododo for identifying with the people in their moment of grief.
Salihu described the Governor as an inclusive leader whose administration had continued to demonstrate concern for communities and their people.
The Governor also visited families affected by the recent suspected food-poisoning incident at Ikuehi, which resulted in the death of residents after consuming a meal of cassava flour.
Ododo expressed deep concern over the incident and urged residents to exercise greater caution over what they consume, stressing the need for vigilance to prevent further loss of lives.
He assured the affected families of the government’s support, while directing that the circumstances surrounding the incident had been thoroughly investigated.
The Governor said anyone found responsible for deliberately poisoning food or endangering lives would be made to face the law, while praying for the peaceful repose of those who lost their lives and strength for their families.
The Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Monday Amoka said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspected poison was contained in the soup consumed by the victims, leading to the deaths recorded so far.
He expressed happiness that Governor Ododo considered it necessary to personally visit the affected families and identify with them in their moment of grief.
Governor Ododo also visited the family of Aduvi Zubair, a respected community leader at Ohueta, where he commiserated with the family and prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the son of the deceased, Muhammad Aduvi, thanked Governor Ododo for personally visiting the family, describing the gesture as one that would not forgotten by the family.
He commended Governor Ododo for personally leading the condolence visits, describing the gesture as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to standing with the people in moments of joy and grief.
