By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday commiserated with the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, over the death of his father, Chief Arthur Okorie Uzoma Okowa.
Governor Okowa announced the death of his father on his verified twitter handle @IAOkowa this morning.
“My family and I regret to announce the death of our beloved father, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa, who passed away earlier this morning,” he tweeted.
Chief Okowa died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 88. The governor’s father who hails from Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area of the State, reportedly died at Asaba.
Until his death, the late Chief Arthur Okorie Uzoma Okowa popularly called AOU was the Okpara-Uku of Owa-Alero.
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Describing Chief Okowa’s death as a huge blow not only to the Okowa family, but also to Delta State and the nation at large, the PDP said he “exited the stage at this time when the state and our
nation need his prayers, wise counsel and encouragement the most.”
A statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the late Okowa was a patriotic Nigerian and shinning example of
honesty, hard work, humility and love, who committed his active years to
the good of humanity and the service of God.
“Though we mourn, we found comfort in the fact that Chief Arthur Okowa
ran a good race before God, lived a fulfilled life and bequeathed to us
a statesman in Governor Okowa, whose commitment to the welfare and
development of his state, our party the PDP and our nation at large, has
been outstanding,” the statement further said.
“The PDP consoles Governor Okowa, the entire Okowa family, the Owa-Alero kindred as well as the people of Delta State and prays God to grant us
the fortitude to bear this huge loss.”
In the same vein, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with Governor Okowa over the death of his father.
The governor, in a statement on Thursday, grieved with the government and people of Delta State over the death, praying that God grants the governor, his family and well-wishers the fortitude to bear the loss.
According to him, “I received the news of the passing of Chief Arthur Okorie Okowa, father of my brother, friend and Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, with a heavy heart.
“The late Okpara-Uku of Owa-Alero was a revered community leader who exuded uncommon love and grace that endeared him to all. He will be greatly missed.
“On behalf of the people and government of Edo State, I extend my sincere condolences to the Okowa family and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear the loss.”
