Duke, Obi, Nollywood , others, mourn Oronto Douglas

MINISTER of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and a host of movie industry practitioners at a candle light event in Lagos on Tuesday, have paid glowing tribute to the late Senior Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Oronto Douglas, who passed away on April 9th in Abuja.

Also , various human rights groups and activists from across the country yesterday converged at a rally in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital to mourn late Douglas.

Duke described him as “ a great educationist, a deep thinker, a great writer, a man who charted the path to many great things.
He lit the path that illuminated the movie industry in Nigeria.”

To Obi, Douglas was the only man who could point out a wrong when he saw one. “Oronto is one man would tell you things are wrong when everybody is happy with you,” he said.

Obi compared Douglas to the King of Jordan and the late Pope John Paul, who, even when they were ill, still took the interests of others at heart and actually reached out to help, from their sick beds. According to him, “Oronto spent time talking about the future of Nigeria even when he had so little time left.

God called him for a reason. As we mourn, celebrate him, may we in our own lives help build a better Nigeria, a better society. He served Nigeria; he served all of us. May we live for one Nigeria”.

Others who spoke included actress Hilda Dokubo, Segun Arinze, Chioma Ude, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Genevieve Nnaji, Ibinabo Fiberesima and many others.

It was largely grateful Nollywood that turned up for Douglas’ candle light event. His impact on the industry was immense, as he brought it close to government’s attention for the first time.

In Yenagoa, the activists described the late Presidential aide as the pillar of the Niger Delta struggle who contributed greatly to the liberation of the region.
Human rights groups present at the
rally include, Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Centre for Environmental Human Rights and Development.
Others are Agape Birth Rights, Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities .

Ogoni Solidarity Group and Ogbia Study Group

Speaking shortly after the solidarity rally and commemoration of the late
Ijaw icon, Coordinator, Civil Liberties Organization, (CLO) Yenagoa,
Chief Nengi James described Douglas as the engine room of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)
and mastermind of the Kiama declaration who stood for the emancipation and welfare of youths.