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From Bimbola Oyesola, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja, Lukman OlabiyiandChukwuma Umeorah
The nation was thrown into mourning, yesterday morning, over news of the passage of the iconic labour, former general secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Ovie Kokori.
The renowned activist, who hailed from Ovu in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, died coincidentally on his 80th birth at a private hospital in Warri after a month-long battle with a kidney-related ailment.
The deceased contributed to the movement against the nullification of the June 12 presidential election won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.
As a pro-democracy activist, he headlined and epitomised the national struggle for the revalidation of the historic June 12 presidential election under the Gen Sani Abacha regime.
A month ago, Kokori was reported to have fallen ill and was immediately visited at hospital by Governor Oborevwori.
•Hero of June 12 struggle –Tinubu
Reacting to his demise, President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, expressed sympathies with the family of elder statesman.
President Tinubu described the former labour leader as a man of conscience; highly principled, courageous, and true.
“Frank Kokori was a thoroughbred democrat and activist. He fought for democracy at a great personal cost. He surrendered his liberty to fight for truth and justice. He was the finest among reformers and champions of civil rights in Nigeria. He was a brother in the June 12 struggle. He was uncompromising, unbending, and irrepressible. He was an exemplary comrade,” he stated.
President Tinubu, while praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, encouraged those he left behind to take comfort in his peerless legacy.
•NUPENG: He’s beacon of democratic struggles
NUPENG, in a statement by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Mr Olawale Afolabi, described the late Kokori as a beacon of democratic struggles in Nigeria.
“We 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.
“Kokori spent a life of ‘sacrifice’ to struggles for the emancipation of the working class globally and the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria,” emphasizing Kokori’s unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
NUPENG added that despite enduring years in prisons and facing brutalisation in the struggles against military rule in Nigeria, Kokori remained resolute in his pursuit of a just society.
“The late Frank Ovie Kokori was a beacon of democratic struggles in Nigeria, and he remained an advocate of democracy throughout his life. His dedication to the principles of democracy resonated throughout his life, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s political history.”
Reflecting on the challenges Kokori faced, the Union noted: “His later years were spent nursing some of the vicious wounds inflicted on him in the course of those struggles for humanity.”
As the NUPENG family mourns the loss of this great labor icon, they also celebrate his remarkable life and contributions to collective struggles for the emancipation of the working people. “We love Comrade Frank Ovie Kokori, but as humans, we have to take consolations in the great and wonderful memories he left behind for us to cherish and celebrate. We take solace in the knowledge that he has gone to be with his Maker and he is surely resting in the bosom of the Almighty God.”
•Oborevwori mourns as Labour Icon, Frank Kokori, dies at 80
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, also expressed deep sadness.
In a statement in Asaba, Governor Oborevwori described Kokori’s passing as a “monumental loss” not just to NUPENG, Deltans and Nigerians, but to the entire world, adding that he fought gallantly for the people.
According to him, the deceased was a well respected elder statesman, an illustrious Deltan and recalled his visit to him on his sick bed in Warri.
“I am saddened that at a time like this when his patriotic zeal is needed in our dear nation, Nigeria, death came calling. I will forever cherish our last moments together when l visited him in the hospital. He was ebullient and was in very high spirit despite his ailment. He fought a good fight.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to the family, the Urhobo nation, NUPENG, APC, Deltans and Ovu community in particular over the passing of the renowned elder statesman and labour icon.
“As a bastion of inspiration, labour icon and a man of great political depth and insight as well as a leader of leaders, he contributed immensely to the development of our state and country throughout his lifetime.”
•Nigeria government failed Kokori – Ayo Opadokun
A chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Ayo Opadokun, in a statement, stated that Kokori was a rare ideological specimen in trade unionism and the democratic struggle that Nigeria has passed through in the last 40 years and counting.
The NADECO chieftain held that Kokori could not get the best treatment by the Nigerian state thereby hasting his eventual demise is shameful and condemnable
The statement read in part:”He was a rare nationalist, committed ideologue, genuine patriot, who risked even his own carrier and family comfort as well as possible prospect to speak truth to power on behalf of the down trodden Nigerians.
“Kokori was well educated and well trained in the management of human resources to balance up with capital for productive growth of the state economy.
“Kokori’s sagacity and courageous leadership came to national limelight much more in 1993-1994 through to 1998 .As the General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum Employee and Natural Gas Union (NUPENG) which was registered in 1978, Frank played a pivotal role in making the organisation to become a most critical trade union in the democratic struggle of Nigerians to restore democracy to Nigeria.
“Kokori was enticed severally with tantalizing offers from Generals Babangida and Abacha but he rejected all allurements.
When the NLC under Comrade Paschal Bafyau became unwilling to pressure the military junta to de-annul the victory of Basorun MKO Abiola in 1994, Comrade Kokori and his NUPENG President Comrade W. Kodjo Agamene mobilised their Union along with NUBIFE and other democratic bodies to organize the most prolonged national strike in post-independence Nigeria.
“Kokori and I as the General Secretary of NADECO met many times at odd times to fine-tune their strategy and commencement of the strike.
“When he was arrested through the conspiracy of an insider in Yaba, he was taken eventually to Bama prison for Four years without any charge against him.
“The strike continued but could not be sustained after a month because the Abacha junta had frozen the NUPENG accounts thereby making it impossible to pay their Union staff. NADECO volunteers were able to source for fund to pay a month staff salary. Eventually Comrade Agamene himself was captured. He, Baba Omojola and I were transported in a presidential jet on a particular morning of October 1994.We were later dispersed in Abuja to different prisons, they to Katsina and I to Central Prisons in Kano.
“Comrade Kokori suffered the painful loss of his wife later on and the Nigerian State did not deem it fit to recognize the selfless and patriotic commitment of the comrade to our democratic struggle.
“The most painful part of the national neglect of those who lost their sweet, blood, possessions, liberties and even lives in order to birth the 4th Republic is their wanton abandonment to their fates while the fair weather elements who remain surrogates, loyalists, sympathizers, acolytes and supporters of the military agenda to stay in power are the beneficiaries of the gains of the activists.”
•Labour leader, others react
The President, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Mr Tommy Okon, said Kokori’s death was painful, especially at the present time of the labour movement when his wise counsel on labour issues were most needed.
Okon is also the Deputy President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.
“The trade union movement will miss him seriously, but his contributions to the growth and development of the trade union movement in the country can never be forgotten.
“Let me use this medium to extend my condolences to the family and the trade union movement, in particular the NUPENG family, for the loss.
“Also, I pray for the repose of the soul of the erstwhile General Secretary of NUPENG, Chief Frank Kokori; may his soul rest peacefully, “ he said.
Also, Programme Manager, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, a Civil Society Organisation, Mr Okeke Anya, described his death as a sad one.
“Chief Frank Kokori was not only a great labour leader, but also a great patriot, who fought for the entrenchment of democracy in the country. We console the family and pray that his soul rests with the Almighty,” Anya said.
•We lost democracy live wire, June 12 activist -Coalition
The Coalition of Pro-Democracy for A Better Nigeria said the nation has lost a democracy life wire.
The National Coordinator of the coalition, Mr Bamiji Awa, said the late Kokori would be remembered for his contributions in the June 12, 1993 struggle.
Awa said the coalition would not easily forget the impact of Kokori, in the struggle for democracy in the country.
“Chief Kokori, who hails from Ovu in Agbin Kingdom, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta shall be remembered for union activism.
“He will be remembered for his enviable roles in the struggle for the actualisation of June 12 Presidential election, believed to have been won by late Chief M.K.O Abiola.”
The activist, who noted that late Kokori attended ‘June 12 at 30’ World Press Conference in June in Abuja, said the coalition of June 12 Activists would miss him.
He said that Kokori’s love for democracy occasioned his presence at the event organised by the coalition to round off the six- month celebrations of ‘June 12’ 30th anniversary in Abuja.
Awa said that Kokori was conferred with the award of recognition at the event alongside other eminent pro-democracy Nigerians including former Oyo State Governor, Omololu Olunloyo, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun.
Awa added that, “The Ekun Oko Abacha and Babangida” beautifully carved Oodu’a Award was bestowed on him (Kokori) at 2023 Yoruba National Day Celebration on Sept. 23. We will miss him.”
He commended prominent Nigerians who rose up to save his life while on sick bed, especially Gov. Oborevwori, who took up the hospital bills to guarantee maximum healthcare and treatment for the departed unionist.
Awa also commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his interest in the late Kokori’s health condition.
“He was an elder statesman, great politician, grassroots mobiliser, administrator per excellence. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” Awa said.
