By Abiola Olawale
Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori has penned a heartfelt condolence to mourn the passage of former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi who died on Saturday, May 4th in Lagos after a brief illness.
The former governor described the late former Minister as a courageous politician and a true statesman, saying Delta state and indeed Nigeria as a whole has lost a valuable gem.
The New Diplomat reports that late Gbagi, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general election in Delta State had passed away on Saturday, May 4, 4024, at the age of 62 years.
Mourning the demise in a statement issued on Sunday, Ibori said the life of the former Minister was one of selfless service and sacrifice for the greater good. He also sent his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, praying that God give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
The statement reads: “With a heavy heart, I mourn the passing of my dear friend and brother, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi.
“Olorogun was a very courageous politician and a fierce advocate of good governance.
*Delta State has lost a true statesman and servant of the people.
“Olorogun Gbagi’s commitment to uplifting our State and its citizens was unimpeachable.
“His life was one of selfless service and sacrifice for the greater good.
“While he has departed this world, Olorogun Gbagi’s shining legacy and example will forever light our path.
“We mourn this irreplaceable loss, but take solace that his life’s work has made an indelible impact on our State.
“On behalf of my family, I say farewell Olorogun Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi – you will be forever missed and honored”.
Kenneth Gbagi was born at St Elizabeth Catholic Hospital, Ogodo/Cemetery Road, Sapele, Delta State, on September 22, 1961. He attended Bishop Johnson Memory Primary School, Sapele. At 14, he left for Kosofe Secondary School, Mile 12 in Lagos.
After his secondary education, Gbagi worked with for the Foreign Service before traveling abroad to further his education. While in Hong Kong, he shot a movie titled “The Birth of Hong Kong in 1993.”This gave him some money to pay his tuition fee at Sans Thomas University in the Philippines, where he read political science. He left Sans Thomas University and graduated as a criminologist from the Philippine College of Criminology.
Gbagi returned to Nigeria for his National Youth Service (NYSC) and served at the Police College in Ikeja, where he taught criminology.
He later went back to School and made distinction at the faculty of law, University of Lagos. He was the youngest lawyer ever to head the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
His investments in Nigeria include GKO Group of Companies, Geekos Investments, Signatious Hotels, and Robinson Shopping Plaza in Warri.
