By Adesoba Toluwalope
An All Progressive Congress (APC) Board of Trustees member and former secretary general of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori has confirmed the passing of his wife.
Kokori made this known on Tuesday at his Ovu country home in Ethiope East Local Government area of Delta State.
According to Chief Kokori, his wife passed away in Lagos on November 10, 2020 aged 73 after a protracted illness.
Addressing newsmen, Kokori said ” She was a pillar of democracy during the struggle for the June 12 actualization. She was holding forte for me while in Prison at Bama.
“She was my backbone; very supportive to my struggles like Kudirat was to Abiola. She was holding meetings with Late Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, Beeko Kuti, Abraham Adesanya and other Chieftains of NADECO, Afenifere and civil societies, among others in my absence.”
They were married for 53 years.
National President of NUPENG, Prince William Akporeha, led a team of executive members to pay condolences to Chief Kokori.
Prince William described the late Mrs Kokori as ” a time manager and mother of NUPENG who is remembered for all her struggles with Chief Kokori to emancipate oil and gas workers in the country.”
Deputy Senate President , Ovie Omo-Agege, also paid condolence visit to Chief Kokori.
Ovie described the deceased as a forthright woman, adding that her struggles in the democratic world will always be remembered.
Mrs Kokori, whose remains have been brought from Lagos and embalmed in a morgue in Delta, hails from Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Her burial is expected in February 2021 on a date to be determined.
