PA OKILO’S DEATH, GREAT LOSS TO NIGER-DELTA, NIGERIA, SAYS UDUAGHAN

The Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has described the late governor of old Rivers State, Dr. Melford Okilo as a proud son of Niger Delta region whose statesmanlike attributes distinguished him as a true Nigerian Patriot.

Reacting to the demise of the former governor, Uduaghan said that Okilo lived a fulfilled life given his achievement in and outside the political terrain.

The governor recalled Okilo’s achievement while in office and stressed that his policies and programmes helped to curtail some of the challenges facing Niger Delta today.

In particular, he noted that the late elder statesman contributed immensely to robust debates at the Senate as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2003.

Besides, governor Uduaghan said that Okilo was a man of peace whose mien and candour were worthy of emulation by Nigerians.

“The death of Pa Okilo is a great loss not only to us here in the Niger Delta but to the entire country. The vacuum created by his exit would be difficult to fill, particularly now that we need this elderly and judicious counsel to tackle the challenges facing us as a people and a nation” he stated.

Uduaghan expressed deep condolences to the family of Okilo and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Sunny Ogefere

Chief Press Secretary

8th July, 2008