- Mourns Demise of Ex-Minister
By Ken Afor
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Obarisi of Urhoboland and former Deputy President of the 9th Senate, has expressed deep shock following the sudden death of Olorogun Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, a former Minister of State for Education.
The New Diplomat reports that Gbagi, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the 2023 election in Delta State, died in a hospital in Lagos State after a brief illness at the age of 62.
In a statement released on Sunday, Omo-Agege, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 election in Delta State, described Gbagi’s death as a “huge loss” to his family, loved ones, and friends.
“Fearless and resourceful, Olorogun Gbagi was a prominent Urhobo son, politician and businessman,” the statement said.
Omo-Agege extended sincere condolences to Gbagi’s immediate family and the wider Gbagi family of Oginibo in Ughelli South, Delta State, on behalf of his own family and the Urhobo people.
“May God Almighty, through His Holy Spirit, comfort the immediate and wider Gbagi family and grant them the strength and wisdom to stand together at this trying moment,” Omo-Agege said, adding “May Olorogun Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi’s soul Rest In Peace.”
The statement referenced the Biblical passage Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 which speaks of there being “a time to be born, and a time to die” under heaven, noting that “death is a necessary end for all mortals.”
“Olorogun Gbagi has finished his race, and we can only thank the all-knowing, gracious and merciful God who made and allowed him the privilege to live and run his race,” the statement added.
Gbagi, who served as Minister of state for Education, was praised for his fearlessness, resourcefulness, and prominence as an Urhobo leader.