Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has expressed deep sadness over the passing of former General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria, (NUPENG), and Labour leader, Chief Frank Ovie Kokori.
Kokori, who had complained from his hospital bed over his deteriorating health few weeks ago, hailed from Ovu in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state, and passed away in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 80. Oborevwori who had visited the ailing elder statesman and cleared his hospital bills express sadness at the death of the pro-democracy activist.
“I’m saddened that at a time like this when his patriotic zeal is needed in our dear nation, Nigeria, death came calling. I will forever cherish our last moments together when l visited him in the hospital. He was ebullient and was in very high spirits despite his ailment. He fought a good fight.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to the family, the Urhobo nation, NUPENG, APC, Deltans and Ovu community in particular over the passing of the renowned elder statesman and labour icon.
“As a bastion of inspiration, labour icon and a man of great political depth and insight as well as a leader of leaders, he contributed immensely to the development of our state and country throughout his lifetime.
“As a government, we were committed to ensuring the now late elder statesman got back to his feet but, unfortunately, against the grain of our expectation, he couldn’t make it back from the hospital.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the exit of a great elder statesman, Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, whose contributions to the June 12 struggle and Nigeria’s democracy remain an inspiration to many.
“As the nation mourns him, I enjoin Kokori’s family, friends and associates to honour his memory by continually upholding the values and principles which he lived for and never stopped fighting for till his death”.
“My government will be fully active in giving this patriot a befitting funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this critical time. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the remains of the labour icon who passed at Mount Horeb Clinic in Warri in the wee hours of Thursday have been deposited in a morgue at Okpara Inland near his Ovu country home in the state.
