The biography of former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the late James Ocholi, is to be presented to the public on Monday, March 6, in Abuja. It is part of activities marking the first anniversary of his death in a ghastly motor accident.
Ocholi died along with his wife, Blessing, and son, Joshua, along the Kaduna/Abuja highway while returning to Abuja after attending a church service in Kaduna.
A statement from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, by the Deputy Director, Press in the Ministry, Samuel Olowookere said the book is aimed at preserving the legacy of the late Ocholi.
The statement added that a Special Public Lecture titled “Looking Backwards to Move Nigeria Forward: Challenges and Choices before the APC Administration,” will be delivered by Prof. Kabir Mato who was recently appointed a Commissioner in Kaduna State.
The biography, which is written by Dr, Dan Ogun, a lawyer and former Special Adviser, Political, to the late minister will be presented to the Public at NAF Conference and Events Centre in Abuja and will be followed by special thanksgiving service at Foundation Faith Church, (Salem Central Worship Centre), Utako, on the same day.
Tag: Ocholi
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Late minister, Ocholi’s biography for presentation tomorrow
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FUL to immortalise Ocholi
Federal University Lokoja (FUL) will on Saturday honour the late Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi (SAN), during the convocation of its 200 pioneer set.
Briefing reporters at FUL mini campus in Adankolo ahead of the event, the vice chancellor Prof. Angela F. Miri, said the school took the decision in order to immotalise the late federal minister from Kogi State, to serve as motivation in the pursuit of excellence and dedication to service.
Miri said the proposed Faculty of Law will be named after Ocholi, a decision the vice chancellor said had been communicated to authorities at the Federal Ministry of Education.
“We want to immotalise him (Ocholi). He was a good servant of the state and an illustrious son of this country. The Federal Ministry of Education has already given us the go-ahead for this, and our Faculty of Law will be named after him,” she said.
Others to be honoured include the Emir of Fika Alhaji Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idriss, who was also the first Chancellor of the university, as well as Senator Tunde Ogbeha.
She explained that the N5 billion endowment fund launched in August this year is a continuous thing, to be channeled for the development of the university.
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Friends of Ocholi commend FG on burial
Associates of the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi (SAN), have commended President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the Federal Executive Council for giving him a befitting burial.
They noted that Ocholi was accorded a burial unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.
They said that the burial had helped to send a strong message that the Buhari administration not only demanded the best from its officials, but was ready to give the best in return.
The group called on members, the people of Kogi State and Nigerians in general, to be motivated and remain faithful to the ideals of President Buhari in the best interest of the country.
They appealed to Governor Yahaya Bello to expedite action on finding a creative way to immortalise the former minister as promised.
Ocholi died in a road accident along with his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua on Sunday March 6. They were buried in his country home in Abocho, Dekina Local Government, last Saturday.
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Kogi to immortalise Ocholi
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has described the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. James Eneojo Ocholi, as a fearless person, whose life “was extinguished at a very young age”.
Ocholi died with his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua, in an auto crash on the Kaduna-Abuja Highway, on March 6.
The governor, in his tribute at the valedictory court session in honour of the late minister, said the government will immortalise him and ensure his family is catered for.
He described the deceased as someone who was never afraid to live, saying many people were afraid to die, and as a result “they never begin to live and Ocholi was not such.”
Bello said the late minister would be remembered for the legacies he left behind and described him as a legend and living icon who succeeded early in life.
The event, which witnessed the outpouring of eulogies by the colleagues of the departed senior lawyer and other personalities, began before noon, following the arrival of the remains of the deceased and those of his wife and son at the Kogi State High Court complex at 11:30am.
The Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah, granted the order of leave to release the bodies of the deceased to their family for burial, “following an application filed by way of motion” by Mr. Olorungbogun, the acting solicitor-general.
He said the motion on notice was brought pursuant to inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The motion sought an order of the court to grant the release of the body of “James Eneojo Ocholi, who died in an auto crash with his wife and son on March 6, to release to the family for committal to mother earth.”
Justice Ajanah said everything Ocholi achieved was through dint of hard work.
He said: “Where do I start from? It was way back in October 1991, after the new states were created that I met this young lawyer. I had just been posted to Ankpa in Kogi State as the resident High Court judge. Most of the cases before me were being handled by Ocholi. The dedication, industriousness and professionalism with which he handled the cases marked him out as a special breed. Whether he won or lost any of his cases, you knew that he worked hard and presented the facts and expressed opinions as only a professional would.
“It was apparent that he was not cut out for a small environment like Ankpa. Little wonder then that he left Ankpa for Lagos soon after my transfer from the town. His humility was unequalled. His ascension to the rank of a SAN and minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria did not come to me as surprise. His call by the angels to be with the Lord, though shocking, is one that neither he nor any of us have a choice when so called.
“Our solace lies in the fact that it is not how long a person has lived on this earth, but what legacy he has left behind. Ocholi lived a pious and fulfilled life.”
Chief Alex Iziyon, who represented the league of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, described the late Ocholi as man of honour and integrity.
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Dignitaries pay tributes as Ocholi begins final journey
Minister of State for Labour and Employment James Ocholi (SAN) started yesterday his journey to the final resting place as colleagues in the Bar and the Bench as well as labour leaders extolled his virtues at a valedictory court session.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders, at the event, called on the Federal Government to imortalise the minister.
The valedictory session, at the National Industrial Court in Abuja, was attended by many lawyers, including ex-presidents of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
Speaking at the special session, Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige said Ocholi’s legacies would be remembered by those who knew him.
Ngige said: ”I have known him before we started working together; we were in the party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was our deputy legal adviser and a member of the merger committee, which I also belong. I have also known him as a lawyer and working together in the Ministry of Labour and Employment was a home coming to us.
“We were friends and we had to pilot the affairs of the ministry together. Our main goal in the ministry was to bring change that will benefit Nigerian workers and the society”.
Represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), described Ocholi as a community leader, philanthropist and icon of the legal profession.
Malami said: “Despite our individual and collective loss, we are consoled by his enduring legacies of hard work and excellence, which defined his life. He will be sorely missed at the Federal Executive Council”.
In his brief remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, said: “Ocholi was such an icon. From a humble beginning, he grew and became a colossus in the legal profession and Nigeria.”
President of the National Industrial Court Justice Babatunde Adeniran Adejumo said Ocholi’s brilliance, hard work and contribution to the advancement of law and jurisprudence earned him the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2007.
NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba described Ocholi’s death as an unspeakable tragedy that numbs the senses, adding that the government should consider naming a worthy institution after him.
Speaking on behalf of the SANs, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) said the late Ocholi was a man concerned with the spirit of law and not the technical application of maneouvering due process to achieve personal end.
Awomolo said: “I will like to say James Ocholi did not die, but slept. This is because his good deeds live after him and will remain so. He was fulfilled and I believe he accomplished the purpose of his creation and his time was due to return to his creator.
“His legal career exemplified outstanding and uncommon virtues of dignity, honour, integrity, humility, discipline, hard work and patience. He lived a simple life. He was a man of the word of God, who practised what he preached. He was selfless and we knew him as one who had trust in God.
“Perhaps, he understood his time was short, so he put uncommon zeal to the task of service, even as a Senior Advocate. We read in the newspapers that his last preaching to the church in Kaduna a few hours before he slept, was of the imminence of the end time, forewarned by the Bible. May be, we can console ourselves that he was taken away so that he would not be tainted and smeared by activities of the evil days.”
President of the Nigeria Bar Association Augustine Alegeh (SAN) said the late minister to conquered what he described as existential barriers that fate threw at him following the death of his father while at high school.
Alegeh, who lamented the sudden death of Ocholi, his wife and son, hailed the late minister for living a life worthy of emulation.
He said: ”Ocholi was a lawyer of high repute, who committed his life to the cause of justice for the downtrodden.
He showed immense integrity and hard work in every endeavour he participated. We will sorely miss him.”
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What I failed to tell Ocholi – Dogara
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara said on Wednesday that he missed the opportunity to tell the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi what he meant to him.
Speaking with an emotion-laden voice at the Service of Song for the late Minister and his family, Speaker Dogora recalled meeting the late Minister in the house of his elder brother, pointing out that “we had useful discussion, but never knew that was the last time we will be meeting.
“If I had known that was the last time I will be seeing him, I would have told him what he meant to me”.
The speaker said although a lot has been said about the late James Ocholi, the service of song was not enough to honour him, pointing out that the service is however an avenue to remind ourselves of what Ocholi did when he was alive.
He said further that the best way to honour the late Minister was to replicate the good virtues he left behind, stating that even though the late Minister has departed, he touched so many lives and will continue to live in the heart of those whose lives he has touched.
A childhood friend of the late Minister and a Justice of the Port Harcourt division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Stephen Adah described Ocholi as a son who spoke the language of his father.
Justice Adah said the late Minister was consistent as a Minister of the gospel, pointing out that Ocholi did what he was passionate about till his death.
In his exaltation, the Founder of Foundation Faith Church (Salem Family) where Ocholi worshipped, Archbishop Sam Amaga asked Christians to remember that there is judgement awaiting man after death, pointing out that it is an appointment that man cannot run away from.
He said further that death, as an appointment must come, but never gives information as to when it will come, pointing out that if death gives notice of when it will come, Ocholi would not have travelled on that day.
He described Ocholi as a book with many chapters, pointing out that he has always been a honest and faithful man who was simple to a fault and died in active service, serving the Lord.
Those who attended the service of song include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Davis Lawal, Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Cardinal John Onayekon, Ministers, members of the National Assembly and the deputy governor of Kogi state. -
Ocholi: Fake drivers’ license not valid, FRSC insists
The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC has stated that a fake drivers’ license is not acceptable by the Commission.
The FRSC Director of Media and Strategy, Bisi Kazeem in an interview on Sunday in Abuja maintained that the driver of the late Minister of a State for Labour, James Ocholi had no license with the Commission.
According to him, reports in the social media that Mr Taiwo Elegbede, driver of the ill-fated vehicle that claimed the lives of Ocholi and his family members has a driver’s license is not true.
“Elegbede is not captured in our driver’s licensing data, so the license he claimed to have expired must be a fake one.
“Our license procedure includes physical presence and biometric capturing of applicants which is permanently stored in our data bank, for the purpose of verification.
“We always tell members of the public to visit our licensing centres spread across the country and desist from patronizing touts while applying for their driver’s license.
“Elegbede cannot be called a competent driver if he does not have a genuine driver’s license, which he can only acquire showing mastery of basic driving principles.
Also, reacting to the claim that the vehicle was not originally that of the Ministry of Labour, Kazeem said “A good driver must perform a routine check on his vehicles before driving out. It is not an excuse to say because the vehicle was provided by another office and he should ignore a check on it.
” Infact, the maintenance department could not claim in-culpability as a result of receiving the vehicle from another agency or department, the more reason , why proper check should be carried out as the vehicle is changing hands.”Kazeem said the commission wished the driver speedy recovery and urged members of the public to only engage the service of a genuinely licensed drivers to avert road carnages.
Ocholi, his wife and a son died in an accident along Kaduna-Abuja Highway on Sunday,March 6, while the driver and the orderly sustained serious injuries.
The FRSC Boss, Boboye Oyeyemi had said the driver was not captured in the commission’s data during his briefing to President Muhamammadu Buhari on Wednesday.
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Ocholi: FRSC to introduce stricter measures on tyre importation
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) will introduce stricter measures this year on the importation of tyres, Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi said yesterday.
He advised the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to intensify campaigns prohibiting the use of substandard tyres.
This was contained in a report he presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the death of the Minister of State of Labour and Productivity, James Ocholi, his wife and son, on the Abuja-Kaduna road, last Sunday.
Oyeyemi said President Muhammadu Buhari would lead a campaign on compliance with speed limiting devices in commercial vehicles.
The corps marshal added that every driver was expected to fix vehicle wiper blades, head and tail lights, brakes and to avoid use of worn-out tyres.
He expressed FRSC’s concern about the attitude of drivers towards tyre care and maintenance, adding that most drivers have poor maintenance culture of tyres.
“Motorists are further advised to avoid use of over-inflated or under-inflated tyres while directives have also been issued to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) on the compulsory use of rear seatbelts.
“Installation of communication equipment in convoys have also been suggested for real-time contacts.
“Motorists must remember to activate hazard lights when stopped and liaise with FRSC for the training of drivers on how to drive in convoys,” he said.
“Imbibing the speed limiting device advocated by FRSC for vehicles as well as ensuring periodic briefing of drivers on the need to obey traffic regulations and drive at regulated speed,” he said.
Oyeyemi added that every tyre has a life span of four years, noting that the week and date of manufacture is always inscribed on the tyre thus: 0612 (meaning, the tyre was made in the sixth week of the year 2012).
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Exit of James Ocholi SAN
Lagos lawyer WAHAB SHITTU, in this tribute, extols the virtues of the late Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi.
Nothing in my wildest imagination prepared me for the shocking news I was about to receive when I kept an evening private appointment with Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi somewhere around Ikeja GRA on Sunday, March 6th 2016. It was a tearful Senator Afikuyomi who relayed to me the sad news of the painful exit of Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi SAN who died on Sunday, March 6th 2016 in an accident on the Kaduna/Abuja road after attending a thanksgiving church service in Kaduna.
For a long time after receiving the shocking news, I was of course speechless and given the mood of both of us, we had to cancel whatever was the subject matter of discussion as obviously both of us had just lost a very close friend, who by all standards was noted for high principles and the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and patriotism.
To say that I was shocked beyond belief obviously is an understatement. It is such a shame and a big loss for James Ocholi SAN was a great guy and a fantastic lawyer by any standard.
I recall my first encounter with this cerebral and highly intelligent lawyer. The year was 1998 and the case was a criminal proceeding between the Federal Government and top executives of the defunct National Shipping Line. Mr. Sunday Ehindero who later became the Inspector General of Police was prosecuting. James Ocholiwho was later elevated to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) appeared for one of the suspects, Mr. Bob Alfa, then Managing Director of the defunct National Shipping Line while Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, Femi Falana SAN, Ahmed Raji SAN and my humble self-appeared for other accused persons in the proceedings. The defence team was star-studded but that did not prevent James Ocholi SAN for making a distinct impact in the proceedings. His delivery was quite impeccable with strong advocacy and analytical skills.
Without prejudice to the equally brilliant performance of the prosecution and other defence lawyers, the performance of James Ocholi SAN was very outstanding and he came across to all of us as gifted attorney with uncommon advocacy and oratorical skills. He was also very articulate and friendly with a very kind and humane disposition which endeared him to all during and after the proceedings. At the end of the proceedings, which lasted several months the accused persons were discharged and acquitted and the contribution of James Ocholi SAN in achieving this feat cannot be forgotten. Indeed, he won my heart and that of many others and ever since, both of us struck a chord of brotherhood and chemistry which lasted in spirit till his death. I was not surprised when in subsequent years he got elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and when during this dispensation our President considered him worthy of appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigerians witnessed his extraordinary brilliance and mastery of issues during the screening of Ministerial nominees when he acquitted himself so brilliantly and admirably to the delight of all.
Personal History
Now who was James EnojoOcholi SAN? Born on 26th November 1960, he had his primary education in LGEA Primary School Oguma which he completed in 1972. He had his Secondary education inOchaja Secondary School, Ochaja and completed same in 1978. He proceeded to school of Basic Studies, Makurdi which he completed in 1982. Thereafter, he studied law at the University of Jos and completed same in 1985 after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to bar in 1986. Mr James EnojoOcholi was in the firm of Richard Efa& Co. at 52 Edgerly Road, Calabar in the year 1986 and also in the firm of D.D. Abutu& Co. Idah as Principal Partner and Head of Chambers between 1987 to 1988. He floated his own practice known as Ocholi James & Associates atAnkpa between 1988 to 1998 and relocated his office to 24/26 Macathy Street, Onikan, Lagos Island between 1989 to 2002. He also maintained a law office at plot 108, IdrisGidado Street, Wuye District, Abuja between 2002 to date.
Contentious Cases Handled
In 2007 Ocholi James applied for the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. In the application, Ocholi James relied on Some of the contentious cases he handled at the Supreme Court including Appeal No. SC/221/2000 between SumonuAbogunvs Mr. Edward Doherty &Ors decided on 19/9/2006; Appeal No. SC/147/2005 between Aminu Mohammed vs. The State decided on 2/3/2007; Appeal No. SC/188/2005 between Benjamin Oyahirevs The State decided on 14/7/2006;Appeal No. SC/412/2001 between AlhajiLasisiGbadamosi& 1 Orvs The Governor of Oyo State & 8 Others decided on 16/6/06; Appeal No. SC/261/2001 between Mr. Moses Bunge & 1 Or vs. The Governor of River State & 5 Others decided on 9/3/06. Some of the Court of Appeal cases he also handled included:Appeal No. CA/A/193/2004 between Hon. Femi Davies vs Anthony Idowu Mendes & 2 Ors decided on 27/4/2006; Appeal No. CA/A/EP/36/2004 between Abdul Samson Ihiabe Positive vs Nicholas Yayaha Ugbane &Ors decided on 15/12/2004; Appeal No.CA/A/EP/140/2003 between Abdul Samson Ihiabe (Positive) vs. Nicholas YayahaUgbane &Ors. Decided on 20/11/2003; Appeal No. CA/A/EP/141/2003 between Barrister Mohammed kabirUsman& 1 Or vs. Ali I. U. Attah&Ors. Decided on 20/11/2003; Appeal No. CA/L/2003 between Mohammed Aminu& 1 Orvs The State decided on 12/7/2004; Appeal No. CA/A/123/2003 between Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu (The Nakorji of Budon) & 1 Or vs. The Governor of Kogi State decided on 15/11/2001; Appeal No. CA/A/11C/2006 between Jimoh Michael &1Or vs. The State decided on 14/12/2006 and Appeal No. CA/A/314/1993 between Ankpa Local Government &Ors vs. National Population Commission &Ors decided on 2nd March 2001.
The foregoing may have revealed the prowess of James Ocholi SAN as a prolific and highly prodigious lawyer, perhaps one of our very best.
My Regrets
One of my greatest regrets as I write this tribute is that I was unable to connect with him when he ascended the corridors of power as Minister of State for Labour and Employment. I had thought that my friend had a duty to perform that would not allow for distractions from some of us in the name of solidarity visits. I thought the man should be allowed to do his job while the crowds of well-wishers including myself pray silently for his success in the discharge of the herculean national assignment. It is a philosophy that I have always held very close to my chest and the reason why I refuse to invade the privacy of some of our friends who are now privileged to serve in high places. However, in the case of James Ocholi after receiving the shocking news of his death and inspite of knowledge of his humanity, I feel a deep sense of regret that I never showed up my face at his office door before his untimely exit. This remains for me a deep sense of loss as I ask myself when will I ever see our respected and eminent James Ocholi SAN ever again? I say this with all sense of responsibility for James Ocholi SAN from my recollection, was a real human being, a consummate professional, a patriot of the highest order and a personage who had great empathy and feelings for others. This is why we mourn his exit which is painful and tragic.
Painful in the sense that James Ocholi SAN was still bubbling with energy and great ideas which he was ever ready to deploy in nation building. In this era of change when a new Sheriff is in town, James Ocholi SAN would be sorely missed as one change agent whose presence would make a radical difference in the transformation of our country. He retained a smile for everyone he came across – very humane, humble and accessible to all without discrimination.
It is tragic in the sense that when we lost him, we also lost his darling wife of twenty-seven years and his son all of whom died in fatal circumstances during the unfortunate crash.
His Greatest Legacy
The consolation perhaps is that the manner of his death notwithstanding, he left a worthy legacy of service to humanity for which he would forever be remembered.
What else can I say other than to wish that may his soul find peace with God.
Adieu James Ocholi SAN! A great human being, a great lawyer, a great patriot and our remarkable friend!
