Nigeria Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, has said foremost unionist and pro-democracy fighter, Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, spent his later years nursing the “vicious injuries” he got during his pro-democracy struggles.
Frank Kokori died in the early hours of today’s, aged 80.
NUPENG, while announcing Kokori’s demise in a statement by its President and General Secretary, Prince Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, respectively, described him as a dedicated defender, promoter and fighter for workers’ rights and democratic rights of the citizens.
The statement reads in part,“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 ni 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 the great Warrior that 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 o f the late Elder Statesman.”
