A group, Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide (AYF-W) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to confer posthumous national honour on Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and other Nigerians who died while watching the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa match during the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
In a statement signed by the group’s national president Nnamdi Ofonye and the national publicity secretary, Ekwukwo Elvis, it said it was their love and passion for Nigeria that led to their untimely deaths.
Ofonye said Ojougboh who recently served as executive director (Projects) in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contributed immensely to national growth, peace and cohesion during his time on earth.
“We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to initiate moves to confer a well deserved posthumous national award on our late brother and leader, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and others who lost their lives while watching the match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
“It is worthy of note to state that such awards will alleviate the pains in the minds of their loved ones and ensure that they didn’t die in vain. Also, such awards will signpost a new era where national patriotism is recognized and rewarded whether in life or death which is what the nation needs at a time like this when the level of patriotism by Nigerians is at the lowest,” the statement said.
The group said Dr Ojougbo’s untimely departure has left a noticeable void in his immediate family, Anioma nation, Deltans and Nigeria at large.
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