Chief Uche Okpuno
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, had sent condolences to frontline Itsekiri leader, Chief Mrs Rita Lori-Ogbebor, on the passing of her husband, Col Paul Ogbebor (rtd), just as he had in a similar way, mourned and condoled with family of a Peoples Democratic Chiftain, and business magnate, Chief Uche Okpuno.
in his condoles message to Chief Mrs Rita Olori-Ogbebor, whose husband, a Nigerian civil war veteran and the first cadet to enroll at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), died at 80.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor recalled that the deceased was an elder statesman, who played key role in keeping Nigeria as one indivisible entity.
He added that late Ogbebor’s contribution to nation-building was laudable and worthy of emulation.
Okowa also commended the deceased for documenting his professional life in a book, “Nigerian Defence Academy: A Pioneer Cadet’s Memoir.”
He said, “The passing on of retired Col. Paul Ogbebor is a great loss to the people of Niger Delta considering his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the region, especially through his vocal contributions under the aegis of PANDEF and ELT.
“As a civil war veteran, his contributions to the service of his country is commendable and worthy of appreciation.
“His passing at this time is a great loss to our country as his untiring voice on national issues will be sorely missed.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I condole with his beloved wife and our leader Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori-Ogbebor, on the passing of the elder Statesman and leader.
“It is our prayer that God Grant her and the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss of their patriarch.”
Until his death, Ogbebor was the Chairman of Edo chapter of PAN-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and leader of Edo Leaders of Thought (ELT), a Benin socio-cultural group.
…Uche Okpuno
Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed sadness on the passing on of Chairman and Managing Director of ULO Consultants Limited, Chief Uche Okpuno.
Chief Okpuno who hails from Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state, reportedly died at his Abuja home yesterday. He was aged 65.
Okowa said that the demise of Chief Okpuno was a great loss considering his contributions to humanity and to the growth and development of Delta.
The governor stated that Okpuno’s death had created a huge vacuum among indigenous construction companies, which his firm, ULO Consultants, was a critical stakeholder in the state and country.
“The news of the passing of Chief Okpuno came to me as a shock because he wasn’t reported to be sick.
“He lived a life of service to his state and country and will be long remembered for the legacy projects his company handled for the state government.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I condole with the Asagba in Council, his family and the good people of Asaba on the demise of their illustrious son, Chief Uche Luke Okpuno.
“Although death is the way of all mortals, our prayer is for God to keep us further to attain our glorious destinies in Christ Jesus.
“May God grant the family and all those he left, the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.
The deceased’s company was responsible for the construction of the Asaba Airport and the Old Government House among other landmark projects in the state.
