Driver, Who Drove Burning Tanker To Save Lives, Rewarded By Omo-Agege; “I Did Not Reject National-Driver

By Ayodele Oni

Despite the hardship, occasioned by the downward economic trend, there are still Nigerians who can lay down their life to save their fellow.

This is the case of a Tanker driver who is now being rewarded for his bravery by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo – Agege. He gave him one million Naira.

Omo- Age, who is the Delta State Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), said the donation, which is personal, is a reward for the brave Tanker driver, Ejiro Otarigho.

The heroic  Otarigho had, on June 10, 2022,  driven a burning tanker, fully  loaded with petrol from a densely populated area in Agbarho, Delta State, to the riverside, thus, saving hundreds of lives and property worth billions of naira.

A statement on Thursday by the Director of Communications to the Senator, Ima Niboro, explained that the act was captured by onlookers on video and has since gone viral.

According to the statement, Agbarho, a Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, is in Delta Central Senatorial District, which Senator Omo-Agege represents at the National Assembly.

In applauding the tanker driver, the lawmaker said his courageous action saved not only his Constituents, but prevented a National catastrophe and mourning.

The amount, Omo-Agege stated, was his personal donation to appreciate him for risking his life to save others.

Responding, Otarigho thanked the Deputy Senate President for the donation, even as he used the opportunity to debunk media reports that he was not interested in National Honour but in a new tanker.

“I look forward to coming to Abuja for the National Honour recommended for me to the President by the Senate. I wish to thank him again for moving the motion.”

Last week, the Senate resolved to honour Ejiro Otarigho for his heroic act.

The Red Chamber also recommended him to President Muhammadu Buhari for National Honour.

This followed a motion moved by the Deputy President of the Senate,and co-sponsored by Senator James Manager (PDP, Delta South) and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (APC, Delta North).