Dr Cairo Ojuogboh, a renowned politician in Delta State was said to have collapsed while watching the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
The first half of the match played on Wednesday night, was goalless, and Nigeria picked it up thereafter, eventually forging in front when captain William Troost-Ekong scored from the penalty spot.
Then, on the 85th minutes, they looked to have sealed the game with Victor Osimhen finishing a terrific counter. But VAR brought play back to the start of the move, finding that Alhassan Yusuf had fouled Percy Tau, and as the clocked ticked over the 90-minute mark, Teboho Mokoena scored from the spot.
Both sides pushed for a winner in extra time but neither managed it, and though Ola Aina missed Nigeria’s third penalty, Mokoena, Evidence Makgopa and Mothobi Mvala missed South Africa’s first, third and fourth to send the Super Eagles into the final.
At the end, Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties after a VAR-dominated semi-final showdown with South Africa, thereby, reaching an eighth Africa Cup of Nations final.
It was during the penalty shootout that Dr Cairo Ojuogboh was said to have collapsed and attempts to revive him proved abortive.
Ojuogboh, represented Ika Federal Constituency in House of Representatives, between 2003 – 2007, was the Director, Projects, on the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Born on September 8, 1959 in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Ojougbo was a Medical Doctor, Chairman and Founder of Ojougboh Foundation,
He was the Presidential Spokesman of the All Nigeria Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council, Delta State, APC Gubernatorial Aspirant 2019, Delta State, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. gubernatorial aspirant 2007, Delta State, among others.
Ojuogboh attended Pilgrims Baptist Primary School, Agbor (1966 – 1971), Columba’s Grammar School (Now Gbenoba Grammar School, Agbor) (1972 – 1976), Auchi Polytechnic now Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (1978 – 1979), University of Benin, Benin City (1979 – 1985), among others.
He was the Chairman Alliance for Democracy (AD) (1998-1999), National Vice Chairman and Chairman Peoples Democratic Party, South South (August 2014 – August 2016), Deputy National Chairman PDP (September 2016 – August 2017), Political Adviser to Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark CON, OFR, Executive Secretary National Unity Group (NUG), Member – All Progressives Congress – September 16, 2017 till he passed on, Chairman, Delta State PDP Reconciliation and Harmonization Committee – (2010).
He held the chieftaincy titles of Akinuwa Anioma, Chieftaincy Title conferred on him at the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba, the Akinuwa of Agbor Kingdom, The Ihiale of Umunede and the The Odua of Akumazi.
Reactions have continued to trail the news of his death.
Kenny Oluka on his Facebook page, wrote, “Dr Cairo Ojougboh is gone, rest in perfect peace Akinuwa Anioma, my heartfelt condolences to his family,” Ikudi Desmond Ezemejor wrote, “uwa bu nothing, rest in peace good man.”
Isioma Theodora Ndah wrote, “this match today took the life of my friend during the penalty shootout, he is lying lifeless in the mogue at the moment, ha, we lost somebody, it is well, RIP Akinuwa.”
