Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has expressed sadness over the news of the death of elder statesman, patriarch and former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Innocent Audu Ogbeh, whose demise took place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the age of 78.
Governor Alia, who received the sad news on Saturday morning, expressed regrets over the death of the former lawmaker, who was elected into the Benue State House of Assembly on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), in 1979, where he was the deputy speaker.
Alia, however said that as a politician, former Minister of Communications, former Minister of Steel Development, former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), farmer and playwright, the late Chief Ogbeh lived a successful and fulfilled life.
The Governor also noted that the late Chief Ogbeh was greatly respected and admired by many, adding that his legacies will always be remembered.
He prayed to God to grant his immediate family, the Idoma nation, the entire people of Benue State and Nigeria as a whole, the fortitude to bear this great loss, and to also grant the soul of Chief Audu Ogbeh eternal rest.
In a related development, Governor Alia has commiserated with the family of the Executive Secretary of the Benue Examinations Board, Ade Ishoribo, Ph.D, over the demise of their father, husband, Uncle and brother, whose demise took place on Friday, August 8, 2025.
The Governor described late Ishoribo as a gentleman, whose impact at the State Examinations Board started yielding positive results, saying it was unfortunate that death cut short his work at the Board.
The governor prayed to God to grant his immediate family, Staff of the Benue State Examinations Board, the people of Guma LGA and Benue State at large, the solace to bear the irreparable loss, and to equally grant Dr. Ade Ishoribo, eternal rest.
A statement by Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, stated that Governor Alia has sent a delegation, led by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Moses Atagher, who visited the Ishoribo family, and also extended the sympathies of the government and people of the State over the sudden passing of the Benue State Examinations Board Secretary and former Chairman of Guma Local Government Council.
