Father of late business mogul Keniebi Okoko, Professor Kimse Okoko told TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) that his late son was very dear to him, adding that he would be missed by the entire family.
Contrary to our earlier report, based on information our reporter received in Yenagoa, which sparked wild jubilations across the State, Prof. Okoko, while recalling some of the cherished moments with the son, in a telephone chat with TNG said the sad incident occurred on Tuesday.
He narrated how Ken, as the Bayelsa billionaire was called by many who knew him in Port Harcourt where he resided most times, footed his treatment in Dubai sometime ago.
“When I had need for cancer operations he took me to Dubai and footed the bill. He was very humble, respectful and a philanthropist. It will not be easy for the family.
“I am proud of his memories. He did not let the family down. We have heard so much about his commendable integrity. We are proud of him. But it will no longer be the same for my family,” Prof. Okoko said, lamenting.
The late Ken was a successful business man in the oil and gas industry. He passed on at a hospital in Lagos State on Tuesday during a failed operation at 42.
He was a frontline member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in his home State, Bayelsa and aspired to govern the State during the last primaries of the party for the governorship seat.
Former governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state and several other prominent Bayelsans have condoled the family of Prof. Okoko over the untimely death of the son.
“Keniebi was somebody we all had a lot of hope in; he proved to be an open minded, accommodating, large hearted, understanding political leader that I encouraged to be under my wing henceforth for political grooming and support.
“My family and I are pained and I have made a lot of calls to our leaders. Everybody is pained and we should take it as bad as it is as what God has done. Nobody can question Him,” Dickson said.
There was confusion over his death initially in Rivers and Bayelsa in the social media with some saying he suddenly recovered from a deep coma.
The late Ken would be remembered more for his philanthropy, kind heart.