Late Kokori
The leadership and membership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has confirmed the death of their former General Secretary, Comrade Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, who passed away in the early hours of Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Late Frank Ovie Kokori was a one of the pro- democracy activist at a dark to me in the history of Nigeria when the military under Gen. Sani Abacha unleashed terror on those opposed to his anti- democratic regime.
President General of the Union, Comrade Lliams Akporeha and Comrade E A Abi Olawale, General Secretary, said on Thursday eulogized him as 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.”
Kokori, who raised the alarm that his colleagues had abandoned him to fate and was immediately offered some assistance by NUPENG and the Delta State government, died at a hospital in Delta State where he was being treated for kidney related disease. He was 80 years old.
