Lagos – The Nigeria National Summit Group (NNSG) and the Campaign for Democracy (CD) on Thursday mourned the death of Mr Oronto Douglas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Douglas, a renowned environmental campaigner, social crusader and Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, died Thursday morning during a battle with cancer.
He was 49 years old.
“Words failed me; we interacted only yesterday,” Mr Tony Uranta, NNSG Executive Secretary, said in a statement in Lagos.
Uranta, who is also the Secretary-General of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), described the death as real sad news.
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“Douglas was a great man and he built the bridge between government and the people.
“He invested greatly in human development, he believed in Education for All; it’s a pity he left so soon after battling colon cancer.
CD President, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, also spoke on the late Douglas in a statement in Lagos.
She said that Douglas would be remembered for his passionate commitment to issues of justice, democracy and the environment in a short life that appeared like he had been around for more than a century.
“Even when he moved from social activism to the political plane, he did not abandon those values which mark him out as a democratic icon.
“What is mortal of Oronto Douglas would be interred, but his good deeds will be remembered forever for the values he carried throughout his 49 years on earth.
“He will be sorely missed for his doggedness, eloquence and clarity of thoughts on all issues that matter for a good society.
“Our condolences go to his family, colleagues and friends and President Goodluck Jonathan whom he served in health and ill-health,” Odumakin said.
Born in 1966, Douglas was also a former Deputy Director of Environmental Rights Acton (ERA), and former Commissioner for Information, Culture, Tourism and Strategy in Bayelsa State. (NAN)
