Jonathan, Oshiomhole, NMA mourn Omoruyi

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday expressed sadness over the death of renowned political scientist and a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Omo Omoruyi.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President commiserated with Omoruyi’s family as well as  the government and people of Edo State on the loss of the man.

The President described Omoruyi  as a “very distinguished academic and an illustrious citizen whose contributions to the nation’s political development will be long remembered.”

The statement read in part, “President Jonathan believes that Nigerians will always acknowledge and honour the late professor’s significant contributions towards laying an enduring foundation for the current democratic dispensation in the country through the work of the Centre for Democratic Studies which he served as pioneer Director-General.

“He joins Prof. Omoruyi’s family, relatives, friends and associates in praying for the peaceful repose of the eminent intellectual’s soul.”

Also, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described Omoruyi’s death as a personal loss.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, said Omoruyi’s death was also a loss to Edo State and to Nigeria.

He said, “Prof. Omoruyi’s death is particularly painful because he was a personal friend and confidant.

“I will always remember his unqualified contributions to my governorship campaign in 2007- as Director-General of my campaign organisation and as governor, I was also able to tap from his wealth of knowledge in the governance of the state.

“His death has robbed Edo State and Nigeria of a forthright man, a great intellectual and a man who gave his all in his service to the nation. His contributions to the development of our democracy remain indelible.

“We feel pained that death robbed us of Prof. Omoruyi at this point when his voice and contributions to burning national issues would have carried immense weight.”

Also, the Nigerian Medical Association has expressed sadness over Omoruyi’s death.

The National President of the association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, in a statement  on Monday, stated that the circumstances surrounding his death reinforced the need for aggressive campaign on healthy living and regular medical check-ups among Nigerians.

Enabulele stated, “It was with great pain and distress that the leadership of NMA learnt of the demise of Prof. Omo Omoruyi, who was reported to have died in a private hospital in Benin City after a long fought courageous battle with prostate cancer.

“We are appreciative of the fact that not only did Omoruyi leave behind indelible footprints in the sands of time; he showed uncommon courage in his inspirational struggle against prostate cancer.” We note the fact that till his death he was resolute in his determination to demystify the dreaded prostate cancer which is currently the leading cancer afflicting men.

The association also called on federal and state governments to invest in cancer prevention and treatment research to reduce the number of Nigerians dying of the disease.