The immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Seriake Dickson, has expressed sadness at the death of former President of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Prof Kimse Okoko.
Okoko died, after years of battle against cancer, at the age of 80.
A statement by Dickson’s Media Adviser, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, quoted him as saying that Okoko’s death was more painful coming a few months after the sudden death of his son, Keniebi Okoko, due to a failed surgery.
The former Governor described the death of Okoko as a heavy loss to Bayelsa and indeed the Ijaw nation.
He said that Bayelsa, the Ijaw nation, and the Niger Delta would miss the wealth of experience, the resilience and courage of the late university Don.
He recalled that Okoko would be remembered as one of the men who stood up to give the Ijaw nation a direction when the people were in dire need of leadership.
He recalled that Okoko devoted a chunk of his life to the service of God, the Ijaw nation and indeed the Nigerian Nation as a lecturer of many years, and as President of the INC.
He stressed that Okoko was a man of principle, who rendered selfless service to the Ijaw nation with uncommon dedication.
Chief Dickson urged the members of the family to be consoled by the exemplary life Okoko lived during his many years on earth.
The former Governor who prayed for the eternal repose of the soul of the departed former INC leader also prayed to the Almighty God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
