Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Friday, attended the funeral rites of his Senior Special Assistant on Public Relations, the Late Hon. Lazarus Akubo, who passed on after a brief illness on the 12th of June 2025.
The funeral ceremony took place in his country home, Ika-Odeto, in Ankpa local government area.
The Governor was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, and was accompanied by Hon. Ogwu Abdul Hassan, the Kogi East Ag Zonal Chairman of the APC, Hon. Adejoh Nicodemus, Hon. Aboh Ibrahim, Hon. Thomas Offor, and Hon. Onoja James, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Environment, Special Duties II, and Zonal Security, respectively.
Also present with the Deputy Governor were Hon. Sheikh Sani Momoh, SSA to the Governor on Ethics and Values; Hon. Yahaya Adama, Special Assistant to the Governor, and Elder Dr. Noah Idakwo.
The event was graced by the attendance of Hon. Muhammed Yahaya, Executive Chairman of Ankpa LGA, Hon. Abbas Ocheje, member representing Ankpa II State Constituency at the House of Assembly, party leaders, top government officials, and colleagues of the deceased.
In his condolence message, the Governor expressed profound sorrow over the loss. He described the departed as a humble, cheerful, and peace-loving individual, saying that he passed away at a time when the state greatly needed his contributions.
He seized the opportunity to urge the people of the area to show commitment to their community by improving the provision of basic amenities, stating that the abundant solid minerals found in the area, being mined by private individuals, possess the potential to influence important transformation and development for the host community.
The Governor expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Omala, Ankpa Local Government Area, as well as to the family, friends, and political associates of Late Hon. Lazarus, praying to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss, and for the eternal repose of the deceased.
