According to an official family statement issued by his son, Mr. Frank Ojeifo, the distinguished educationist breathed his last in Agbede after courageously battling a protracted illness.
His demise marks the end of an era for thousands of former students whose intellectual foundations he rigorously shaped across several decades of active service.
An alumnus of both the Auchi Polytechnic and the prestigious University of Benin (UniBen), Mr. Ojeifo dedicated the entirety of his professional career to fostering secondary school education and technological skills acquisition across the region.
Shortly after completing his Higher School Certificate (HSC) programme, he commenced his impactful pedagogical journey at Imade College in Owo, Ondo State. He subsequently transitioned to the Government Technical College in Igarra, Edo State, where he spent the structural bulk of his career. At Igarra, he built a stellar reputation as an articulate, firm, and thoroughly selfless teacher whose mentorship and moral guidance extended far beyond the traditional confines of the classroom.
Beyond his immense contributions to public education, Mr. Ojeifo was a devoted family man and an pillar of support within his community. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Vivian Ojeifo, five children, and three grandchildren.
His impactful legacy also lives on through his younger brothers, who are prominent figures in the media and public service sectors. They include Mr. Sufuyan Ojeifo, the well-known publisher of THE CONCLAVE online newspaper, and Mr. Kabir Eromonsele Ojeifo, a senior management staff member at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in Abuja.
The news of his passing has triggered a wave of heartfelt condolences and tributes from high-profile personalities, professional colleagues, and former students who felt the direct impact of his strict but loving mentorship.
In a poignant condolence letter addressed to Mr. Sufuyan Ojeifo, a frontline Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) honouree, Chief Oladipo Okpeseyi, reflected deeply on his final moments with the late educationalist. Chief Okpeseyi described the late Mayor Ojeifo as an exceptionally bold, strong, and articulate leader during their formative years who always maintained his signature appreciative smile. He noted that even while frail in health, Ojeifo remained full of life and unyielding hope for a better tomorrow, cementing his status as a committed school teacher who helped mould future generations of Nigerian leaders.
Similarly, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ondo State, Mr. Abiodun Ogundele, expressed profound sadness over the loss, praying for divine comfort and fortitude for the entire grieving family during this incredibly difficult time.
Adding to the tributes, Chief Tajudeen Aderibigbe, the Nene of Owo and an accomplished oil sector executive, warmly recalled his days as one of Ojeifo’s students at Imade College. Chief Aderibigbe credited his former teacher with instilling the discipline and strategic thinking that guided him and many of his peers into successful corporate careers, praying for the eternal repose of the veteran educator's soul.
For communities across Igarra, Agbede, and the broader Edo North senatorial district, Mr. Mayor Ojeifo will permanently be remembered as an energetic, blunt, and fiercely faithful gentleman who gave the absolute best of his intellect to the advancement of Nigerian education.
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