Samuel Ogbemudia: A Veteran of the Nigerian Civil War, Governor and Nation Builder

This paper focuses on Col. Samuel O. Ogbemudia`s military career and soldiering exploits during the Nigerian Civil War as well as his role in the post-civil war reconstruction programme of the Midwest State, especially Western Igboland which was a war theatre during the conflict. Data was sourced primary and secondary sources. The study used a qualitative research design. It assesses the role he played in the liberation of the Midwest State from the Biafran secessionists during the Nigerian Civil War. It argues that it was his exceptional military exploits that accelerated his appointment as a Military Governor of the Midwest State and this establishes him as one of the civil war heroes who are worthy of academic erudition. The paper examines also his foray into politics in the Second Republic, his accomplishments and the challenges he encountered as a civilian governor of Bendel State. It assesses his life as a statesman and highlighted his contributions to nation-building.