Tinubu said, “Kokori was a man of proven integrity and a democrat who fought against the dreaded military regime for democracy to be restored in Nigeria.”
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former general secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), Frank Kokori, has been buried in Delta State.
At the funeral service held on Friday at St. James’ Anglican Church, Oviorie-Ovu in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, President Bola Tinubu described the late labour leader as “the most foremost nationalist Nigeria has ever produced”.
Tinubu was represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri.
“Kokori was a man of uncommon courage. He is a selfless leader who put the interest of Nigeria above his own interest,” he added.
Tinubu, who affirmed that the late elder statesman was his comrade while fighting for democracy, also noted, “Kokori was a man of proven integrity and a democrat who fought against the dreaded military regime for democracy to be restored in Nigeria.”
Tinubu spoke further, “While some leaders were afraid and running away, Kokori stood there. He was the voice of the voiceless people, the voice of the less privilege people.
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“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 on the outstanding legacies of your father to continue to render services to humanity.”
“The Bible tells us that 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?”
Dignitaries in attendance at Kokori’s funeral included Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State; Minister of State for Youths, Ayodele Olawande; Senator Ede Dafinone representing Delta Central Senatorial District; Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Guwor; NUPENG National President, Prince Williams Akporeha; PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa; Petroleum Tanker Drivers immediate past national chairman, Otunba Salmon Akanni Oladiti, among others.
Incumbent President of NUPENG, Akporeha, in his tribute remarked that “Kokori’s memories will ever remain evergreen among the Labour families in Nigeria as he is father to all of us”.