LAGOS- Human rights activists, under the platform of Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) have described Chief Frank Kokori’s demise as a huge loss to the entire human rights community.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Kokori, a former labour union leader, died on Thursday in Delta.
Reacting, the CHSR President, Mr Alex Omotehinse told NAN in Lagos that the activists would forever remember Kokori for his contributions in the struggle for democracy.
Omotehinse said the late former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) was a legend many young activists were looking up to before his death.
“It is a huge loss to the entire human rights community. He gave up his life for democracy to return to the country, we will forever miss him.
“Frank Kokori was a legend and a veteran in the struggle. Some of us looked up to him. It is unfortunate that Nigerians allowed his sickness to deteriorate before intervention.
“It was at the die minute that the Delta government came to his aid which was already late. We will miss him,” he said.
NAN reports that the former NUPENG general secretary was 80 years old
He died after a month-long battle with a kidney-related ailment.
Kokori, also an APC chieftain, died on his birthday at a private hospital in Warri at 1:30a.m.
He received attention from dignitaries and officials during his illness, including the Delta Governor, Mr Francis Oborevwori.
Kokori was part of the June 12 struggle. He contributed to the movement against the nullification of the June 12 presidential election which MKO Abiola was widely believed to have won. (NAN)
