Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has described the death of elder statesman and former Agriculture Minister, Chief Innocent Audu Ogbeh, as “heartbreaking”. Ogbeh passed away on Saturday, 9 August 2025, at the age of 78.
In a tribute issued Sunday morning, Alia hailed Ogbeh’s decades-long political journey, beginning with his 1979 election into the Benue State House of Assembly under the NPN, where he served as Deputy Speaker. His national service spanned roles as Minister of Communications, Minister of Steel Development, National Chairman of the PDP, and a respected farmer-playwright.
“Chief Ogbeh lived a fulfilled life and earned the admiration of many,” Alia said, praying for God’s comfort for his family, the Idoma people, Benue State, and the nation.
Governor Alia also mourned Dr Ade Ishoribo, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Examinations Board, who died a day earlier. He described Ishoribo as “a gentleman leader” whose reforms at the board were already yielding results before his untimely death.
A government delegation, led by Chief of Staff Moses Atagher, has been sent to convey condolences to Ishoribo’s family.
