Frank Kokori Was ‘Beacon Of Nigeria’s Democratic Struggles,’ Petroleum Workers Union, NUPENG Mourns Death Of Ex-Leader
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has mourned the death of a former leader of the union, Comrade Chief Frank Ovie Kokori.
Frank who once served as General Secretary of NUPENG died on Thursday morning after a protracted illness.
SaharaReporters gathered that he suffered from a kidney-related ailment and had last month cried out from his sick bed in a Warri hospital, in Delta State.
He gave up the ghost in the early hours of Thursday, at Mount Horeb Hospital, Warri, Delta State.
The former labour leader told journalists in Warri that he had been “abandoned and dying” following which he decided to alert the general public and government.
“I am dying in a hospital bed in Warri, I was admitted for treatment at this private hospital in the oil city for a kidney-related ailment but I have been having a hard time paying the bills due to the harsh economy and as a result I made this call to the media to shame the leaders of the nation when I survived this ailment,” Kokori had stated.
Confirming his death in a press statement jointly signed by NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, on Thursday, the union lamented the loss of the former labour leader.
The statement also described him as a dedicated defender of workers’ rights and a beacon of democratic struggles in the country.
The union’s statement reads: “The Leadership of our great Union on behalf of the entire members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), wishes to announce the news of the passing to eternal resting abode of our former distinguished General Secretary, Comrade Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, who passed away in the early hours of Thursday 7th December, 2023.
“Late Comrade Frank Ovie Kokori was a well-known committed and dedicated defender, promoter and fighter for workers’ rights and democratic rights of the citizens. He spent a life of “Sacrifice” to struggles for emancipation of the working class globally and enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria. He spent years in prisons and severally brutalized in his struggles for not only the Trade Unions but in the struggles against military rule in Nigeria.
“His later years were spent nursing some of the vicious wounds inflicted on him in the course of those struggles yet like a great Warrior he was, he still lived up to good age before he eventually surrendered to go home for a peaceful rest after those struggles for humanity.
“We love Comrade Frank Ovie Kokori but we as humans, we have to take consolations in the great and wonderful memories he left behind for us to cherish and celebrate. “We write to express our deepest condolences and sympathy to the families and loved ones of the late Elder Statesman.
“While the entire NUPENG family mourn the loss of a great labour icon, we also celebrate his remarkable life where he contributed to our collective struggles for the emancipation of the working people for greater good to all and sundry. Late Frank Ovie Kokori was also a beacon of democratic struggles in Nigeria, and he remained an advocate of democracy throughout his life.
“We take solace in the knowledge that Chief Frank Kokori has gone to be with his Maker and he is surely resting in the bosom of the Almighty God. May the soul of Chief Frank Kokori rest in peace.”
