By Pleasure Onohwakpo
The Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed profound grief over the unexpected demise of its esteemed founding father and respected elder statesman, Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, popularly referred to as the Itetebe of Agbon Kingdom in Delta State.
Chief Kokori, a former Secretary General of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), departed a day before reaching the milestone of his 80th birthday.
In a press statement signed by the Party State Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, who is coincidentally a blood relation of the demise sage, he expressed abolute shock and sadness over Chief Kokori’s passing, especially when he thought the foremost labour leader, was already recuperating after receiving treatment for his ailment.
It would be recalled that Chief Kokori emerged as a prominent figure during the era of military authoritarianism in Nigeria, fearlessly championing democracy and serving as a frontline activist.
The statement added that late Kokori’s indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to speaking truth to power have solidified his status as a hero in the annals of Nigerian history. “With each step he took on the sands of time, Chief Kokori left an indelible mark on the struggle for freedom and justice,” it stated.
According to the statement, late Chief Kokori emerged as the embodiment of democratic awareness within the nation and the June 12 movement. The present generation of young adults has not experienced the intense struggle to reclaim authority from the military.
Chief Kokori’s demise came as a great shock to Elder Sobotie, particularly as he believed that the esteemed labor leader was on the path to recovery following his medical treatment.
Reminiscing the late elder statesman’s doggedness, Sobotie said, “he led many struggles for the enthronement of true democracy in our nation’s polity. Pa. Kokori was often regarded as the moral compass of Nigerian politics, and has shone as a brilliant star to be emulated by the young generation who are in the service of our fatherland.
“He was at the summit of his activism, from 1993-1998, as the Secretary General, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), using the platform to fight military dictatorship without batting an eyelid. He deployed the Union against the regimes of Gen. IBB and later Gen. Sanni Abacha, through workers strikes, public protests and erudition, as tools of political emancipation.
“The popular June 12 movement would have buckled, without NUPENG mobilizing to cripple fuel distribution across the country. Pa. Kokori’s immense contributions to our thriving democracy shall remain indelible in the annals of our national history.
“As a political colossus, Pa. Kokori’s involvement in the establishment and development of the APC in Delta State is immeasurable and cannot be quantified. Indeed, the Delta State APC family would be hard pressed to find a replacement for the huge vacuum created by the exit of the hero of democracy.
“In the light of the foregoing, I on behalf of the Delta State APC, express the party’s deepest condolences to his immediate and extended family for the great loss. They must take heart that the patriarch lived a good life, played his role very well and has gone to join his maker.”
Elder Sobotie continued to express heartfelt admiration for the esteemed elder statesman, as he meticulously examined the life of Chief Kokori, highlighting it as a shining example of a life dedicated to serving humanity and bringing glory to God.
“Pa. Kokori lived an exemplary life that was solely dedicated to the advancement and upliftment of the common man, a commitment to the struggles of pushing the down trodden up the socio-economic ladder.”
The APC Chairman prayed for the peaceful rest of Chief Kokori while emphasizing the importance of including the bereaved family in their prayers.
He earnestly requested that the Lord bestow upon them the strength to endure this immeasurable loss.
