Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday led a Federal Government delegation to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.
Ogbeh, who served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001 to 2005, passed away on Saturday at the age of 78.
Describing him as one of Nigeria’s most visionary leaders, Shettima said Ogbeh’s legacy in the agricultural sector would remain indelibly etched in the nation’s development history.
“We are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, the government, and the people of Benue State over the sad demise of our elder statesman, Chief Audu Ogbeh,” Shettima said during the visit.
His remarks were contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
The vice president described Ogbeh’s death as “an irreparable loss to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation drive and national development trajectory,” noting that the late minister’s pragmatic approach to rural development had a far-reaching impact on farming communities across the country.
“We have not just lost a former minister; we have lost an irreplaceable institution whose vision and practical steps in agricultural development helped reshape rural economies,” Shettima stated.
He praised Ogbeh as a transformational leader whose legacy transcended party lines and regional boundaries, saying his work provided a lasting blueprint for sustainable agriculture in Nigeria.
Highlighting Ogbeh’s integrity, foresight, and unwavering dedication to national progress, Shettima said millions of farming households benefited from his policies and passion for food security.
“He was a committed advocate of agricultural transformation—deeply respected for his wisdom, pragmatism, and genuine concern for farming families. His passing is a collective loss to our entire agricultural ecosystem,” he added.
The condolence visit underscored the Federal Government’s recognition of Ogbeh’s national contributions and his enduring impact on Nigeria’s food systems and rural development.
