A former Deputy President of the Senate in the second republic,
Albert Legogie, who died in Benin
City on June 17, has been buried.
He was buried at the Ekperi community cemetery amid tears
after a funeral service at the Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Ugbekpe-Ekperi in Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo.
The Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Gabriel Dunia, in his homily,
urged the congregation to live their lives to the glory of God. He said pure
heart determines where one goes after life. Senate President, David Mark, who
was represented by Minority Leader of the Senate, George Akume, described Mr.
Legogie as a courageous and patriotic Nigerian who served at a difficult time
in the country.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka
Ihedioha, described Mr. Legogie as one of those who had courage to face the
military. "I met him in my younger days in politics. He was one man of
courage. After the June 12 debacle, he was one of those Senators who insisted
that the right things must be done.
"It was his courage that made it possible for him to be
unanimously elected on the floor of the Senate. They operated under very
difficult circumstances and managed to make some laws. He was an astute
politician. "If you want to plan an unreasonable thing, don't get Legogie
involved. He will tell you his piece of mind; he will tell you that he is man
of great passion. He died serving Nigeria well and Nigeria has come today to
bury him," he said.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo recalled how Mr. Legogie
attempted to stop him from organising strike against fuel price during the
military era. He said Mr. Legogie advised that the strike was not necessary at
that time because of the situation in the country. Mr. Oshiomhole also said Mr.
Logogie supported his aspiration to become governor.
"I told him I wanted him to coordinate my campaign. He
believed I was not crazy. He accepted to coordinate my campaign. He took me to
meet political actors one by one.
According to Mr. Oshiomhole, "where others saw danger,
Legogie saw opportunity that can be overcome. He was the only Afenmai man that
agreed to identify to a project that is hopeless. Our people were told that it
was not our turn but others were wrong then and he was right. He was not a
traitor. He stood by me where others were afraid.''
There was no representation from the national or state
hierarchy of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) where Mr. Legogie was once a
member of its Board of TrusteesMr. Legogie died during a brief illness.
Culled from: NAN
No comments:
Post a Comment