Okowa commiserates with Lori-Ogbebor, mourns Okpunor

EState Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday commiserated with Itsekiri leader, Chief (Mrs.) Rita Lori-Ogbebor, on the death of her husband, Col Paul Ogbebor (rtd.).Ogbebor, who died at 80, was a Nigerian civil war veteran and the first cadet to enroll at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Until his death, he was Chairman of Edo Chapter of PAN-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and leader of Edo Leaders of Thought (ELT), a socio-cultural group in Benin City.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika in Asaba, the governor said the deceased was an elder statesman, who played key role in keeping Nigeria as one indivisible entity, adding that his contributions to nation-building was worthy of emulation.

Okowa, who also commended the deceased for documenting his professional experience in a book, Nigerian Defence Academy: A Pioneer Cadet’s Memoir, said, “The death of retired colonel is a great loss to the people of Niger Delta, considering his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the region.”

Also, Okowa expressed grief over the death of Chairman, Managing Director of ULO Consultants Limited, Chief Uche Okpunor.Okpunor, who hailed from Asaba, Oshimili South Council Area, reportedly died at his Abuja home on Wednesday at 65.

Okowa said Okpunor’s demise was a great loss considering his contributions to humanity and the growth and development of Delta State, adding that his death had created a huge vacuum among indigenous construction companies in the state and country.