Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudiais a Nigerian former army officer and politician. He was military Governor (1967–1975) of the Mid-West State, later renamed Bendel State, part of which in turn became Edo State. After the return to democracy in 1999, he became a power in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In September 2009, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state and others attended his 77th birthday celebration in Benin.
Background
He was born on September 17, 1932, in Benin one of the Bini tribe. He shares common ancestry with the Oba (King) of Benin. His grandfather Osaigbovo was one of the royal house who took part in the Benin massacre of 1897 and escaped being put to death by the British. His father Uwuze Osaigbove was the Obakhavbaye of Benin.
Education
Educated at Benin Baptist School (1940-5), the Government School, Victoria in the British Cameroons (1945-7), and the Western Boys High School, Benin (1947-51). He joined the Nigerian army on May 21, 1953, and in 1957 attended a mortar course at leshie, Ghana. He went to the British School of Infantry at Netheravon near Salisbury in 1959, and then to the Officer Cadet School, Aldershot, returning to Nigeria in time to go to the Congo with the UN Peace Keeping force, where he was recommended for an award for gallantry.
After attending the United States Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina he wrote a protest letter to army headquarters saying that the course was more suitable for a potential head of government than an army officer.
Career
He returned to the Congo in 1963 and earned the nickname “Jackey” for using empty oil drums to ferry his men and vehicles across the Lulaba river in a victorious campaign against the Katanga secessionists.
Promoted major in 1964 he became an instructor at Nigeria Military Training College and later Chief Instructor from 1965 to 1966. In 1966 he became Brigade Major of 1st Brigade, Kaduna and in August 1966 commander of the military station in Benin city. When the Biafrans invaded the Mid-west and were admitted by their sympathisers into Benin city, Ogbemudia made his escape to Lagos. Later when the Federal forces under Mohammed Muritala retook Benin he was appointed temporary military administrator and on November 1 7, 1967, Military Governor of the Midwest. In September 1967 he was promoted lieutenant-colonel and in 1969 colonel.
Personality
Though from a royal Benin family, his early ambition was simply to become an efficient soldier. He once complained that a course in America was teaching him more about being a political leader than about military training. His hour of crisis came in August 1967 when the invading Biafrans were let into Benin city hy their friends. He escaped to Lagos hut within a month was back in his home region this time as military administrator and later full Governor.