President Bola Tinubu has described former general secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, as the foremost nationalist with uncommon courage.
This is just as labour leaders and indigenes of Ovu, the country home of Chief Kokori, have called on the Federal Government to immortalise the late NUPENG scribe.
President Tinubu made the declaration about Kokori at the burial service of the octogenarian on Friday at St James’ Anglican Church, Oviorie-Ovu in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, President Tinubu said Kokori was a man of uncommon courage, who put the country in his utmost interest.
“He (Tinubu) told me that Kokori is the most foremost nationalist Nigeria has ever produced and that he is a man of uncommon courage.
“He is a selfless leader who put the interest of Nigeria above his own interest. He also said Kokori is a man of proven integrity and a democrat who fought against the dreaded military regime for democracy to be restored in Nigeria.
“While some leaders were afraid and running away, Kokori stood there. He was the voice of the voiceless people, the voice of the less privileged people,” he noted.
President Tinubu, through Lokpobiri, apologised to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Kokoris, and Deltans for his absence, due to state engagements.
“Let me apologise for his inability to be here personally. He would have loved to be here by himself but because of other contending issues, he couldn’t and he directed me to be here instead.
“He told me that Kokori was his comrade when they were fighting for democracy and he would have loved to attend the burial and that is why I’m here representing the president.
“He told me that Kokori is the most foremost nationalist Nigeria has ever produced and that he is a man of uncommon courage.
“He is a selfless leader who put the interest of Nigeria above his own interest. He also said Kokori is a man of proven integrity and a democrat who fought against the dreaded military regime for democracy to be restored in Nigeria.
“He said while some leaders were afraid and ran away, Kokori stood there. He was the voice of the voiceless people, the voice of the less privileged people.
“These are words of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has a close relationship with Chief Sir Kokori.
“But like it is said in the Bible, there is a day to be born and also a day to die. Everybody will die. But the important thing in life is what legacies have you left behind?
“In life, it is not when you die that matters, it is what legacies you have left behind that matters. Kokori has left indelible marks in the history of this country and what is left with the children is to carry on with the baton.
“Kokori has done his own for the children to leverage the outstanding legacies of your father to continue to render services to humanity.
“I want all of us to stop mourning and celebrate his exit to be with the Lord forever. Let me conclude by saying that Kokori’s death is not the death that will be painful to only Delta people.
“He was more of Nigerian before Deltan. His death is painful to all of us in the country and whatever we can do to continue from where he stopped is what all of us will do.
“Having said that, your Excellency, let me once again condole you over the death of this icon and also to thank you for the good work you are doing in Delta State,” the president enthused.
Earlier at the service, Bishop of Warri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Christian Esezi Ide, in his message themed “Hope,” drawn from IThesa. 4:13-18 described the passing of Kokori as having created a vacuum that can hardly be filled.
The cleric said the presence of Governor Oborevwori, a PDP governor, who was sitting side by side with Chief Ede Dafinone, Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District of the APC, is a message that politicians should be one in Christ.
“The death of Chief Kokori has created a vacuum that can hardly be filled in the family. He was an illustrious son of the state and you can see the presence of Gov Oborevwori. We cannot, but remember him for good.
“We have political enemies not biological enemies. We are one in Christ. We should learn this,” Bishop Ide admonished while urging Christians to have hope in God to overcome their life challenges.
Comrade Joseph Akinlaja, who was Chief Kokori’s deputy as General Secretary of NUPENG, however, and president of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, called on President Tinubu to immortalise the late foremost unionist with national honours.
On his part, former deputy president of the Nigerian Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, who was represented by third vice president general of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, urged Nigerians to emulate the nationalistic spirit of the late unionist.
Several government functionaries and dignitaries from all walks of life including the Minister of State for Youths Development, Ayodele Olawande, and a five-time governorship candidate in Delta, Chief Great Ogboru, among others were at the burial event.
Chief Kokori, who passed away on December 7, 2023, the day he clocked 80 years, after a battle with kidney-related ailment, was committed to Mother Earth at his home in Ovu.
He was survived by many children and grandchildren including Mr Franklin Kokori Jnr, Mr Efe Kokori, Mr Kive Kokori, Miss One Kokori amongst others.