Sylvester Idowu in Warri
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, eulogised the late former Common Secretary of the Nationwide Union of Petroleum and Pure Fuel (NUPENG), Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, describing him because the foremost nationalist Nigeria has ever produced.
The President made the declaration on the burial service of the octogenarian at St. James’ Anglican Church, Oviorie-Ovu in Ethiope East Native Authorities Space of Delta State.
Minister of State for Petroleum Sources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who represented President Tinubu stated Kokori was a person of unusual braveness who put the nation as his utmost curiosity.
“He (Tinubu) informed me that Kokori is essentially the most foremost nationalist Nigeria has ever produced and that he’s a person of unusual braveness. He’s a selfless chief who put the curiosity of Nigeria above his personal curiosity. He additionally stated Kokori is a person of confirmed integrity and a democrat who fought in opposition to the dreaded army regime for democracy to be restored in Nigeria.
“Whereas some leaders had been afraid and operating away, Kokori stood there. He was the voice of the unvoiced folks, the voice of the less-privileged folks,” he famous.
Tinubu apologised to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Kokoris and Deltans for his absence on account of state engagements.
“He informed me that Kokori was his comrade after they had been combating for democracy and he would have liked to attend the burial and that’s the reason I’m right here representing the President,” the minister stated.
Tinubu, urged Nigerians and Deltans to cease mourning however have fun his exit to be with the Lord eternally stressing, “Let me conclude by saying that Kokori’s dying shouldn’t be the dying that can be painful to solely Delta folks.
“He was extra of Nigerian earlier than Deltan. His dying is painful to all of us within the nation and no matter we will do to proceed from the place he stopped is what all of us will do.
Bishop of Warri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Christian Esezi Ide, had in his message themed, ‘Hope’, drawn from IThesa. 4:13-18, described the passing of Kokori as having created a vacuum that may hardly be crammed.
The cleric stated the presence of Governor Oborevwori, a PDP governor, who was sitting aspect by aspect with Chief Ede Dafinone, Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District of the APC, is a message that politicians ought to be one in Christ.
“The dying of Chief Kokori has created a vacuum that may hardly be crammed within the household. He was an illustrious son of the state and you’ll see the presence of Governor Oborevwori. We can’t, however keep in mind him for good.
“We now have political enemies not organic enemies. We’re one in Christ. We should always be taught this,” Bishop Ide admonished whereas urging Christians to have hope in God to beat their life challenges”, he stated.
Joseph Akinlaja, who was Chief Kokori’s deputy as Common Secretary of NUPENG, and President of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, referred to as on President Tinubu to immortalise the late foremost unionist with nationwide honours.
Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, who was represented by third Vice President Common of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, urged Nigerians to emulate the nationalistic spirit of the late unionist.
A number of authorities functionaries and dignitaries from all walks of life together with the Minister of State for Youths Growth, Ayodele Olawande and a five-time governorship candidate in Delta, Chief Nice Ogboru, amongst others had been on the burial occasion.
Kokori handed away on December 7, 2023, the day he clocked 80 years, after a battle with kidney-related ailment.
