By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
RESIDENTS of the Oginibo Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area and Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, have described the death of Chief Kenneth Gbagi as shocking and incredible.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori described the passing of Gbagi as tragic, unfortunate and heart-wrenching.
He commiserated with the people of Ughelli South Local Government Area and Oginibo community, in particular, over the demise of the renowned politician and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain.
He noted that the departed Gbagi, a Criminologist, entrepreneur and lawyer, was Chairman, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, and, later, Minister of Education (State) during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Oborevwori said, “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of a renowned politician and astute businessman, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, who passed on in Lagos on Saturday.
“The news of his death came to me as a terrible shock and my heart-felt condolences go to his family, the people of Oginibo and the members of the Social Democratic Party, SDP”.
Meanwhile, the residents of Chief Gbagi’s Oginibo country home have described the former Minister of Education (State) as a beacon of hope to them, saying his demise was a great loss to the community and Delta at large.
Mr Genesis Odoji said the death of the 2023 Delta governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has created a vacuum that would be too hard to fill.
“Chief Gbagi always comes to our aide whenever we are in trouble. He has done so many things for our community.
“He gave us a secondary school, hospital, civic centre and roads; some completed and others ongoing.
“His death is really painful; we will miss him greatly,” Genesis said.
Mr Precious Okpakpajerhe, another resident, said Gbagi’s death was unexpected.
“We did not expect him to die at this time; we are not happy; we have lost a pillar in Oginibo community,” he lamented.
Mr Emmanuel Andrew, who also spoke to journalists, said Gbagi was a philanthropist of great repute with records of so much development brought to the community.
“The death of Gbagi will impact greatly on our daily activities. We have lost a father and a philanthropist,” he wept.
Stonix News had reported that the renowned criminologist and industrialist passed on Saturday in a statement signed by his eldest son, Chief Emuoboh Gbagi.
The statement, which was issued on behalf of the Gbagi family, said the irrepressible entrepreneur passed on Saturday at the age of 62.
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