- Ozoro plans statesman burial ceremony
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has commiserated with the family and people of Delta state over the death of Senator Francis Spanner Okpozo, who died on Monday.
The Governor expressed sadness at the news of the death of the Octogenarian politician and former Deputy Speaker of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, “Governor Okowa recalls that Senator Francis Okpozo was a vocal voice in the Senate and until his death he has remained a consistent critic and commentator on National issues.
“He affirms that the then Senator, served his country and humanity with all his God-given strength and talent, noting that the distinguished Senator was a worthy leader in the Niger Delta.
“We have lost a great man whose contributions to the literary world can best be described as legendary, inspirational and worthy of emulation.
“The late Senator Okpozo, a distinguished lawmaker and elder statesman, will be remembered for redefining the place of service and patriotism in Nigeria’s development.
“He will be sorely missed by all and sundry whose lives he affected in many ways. I therefore urge all who mourn the demise of the late Senator F.S. Okpozo to take solace in the fact that his was a life of integrity and great accomplishments.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta State, I mourn with the family of the late Distinguished Senator Francis Spanner Okpozo, the Isoko Nation, and the APC on the demise of the erudite Senator.”
Okowa prayed God to grant Okpozo’s immediate family the strength to bear the irreparable loss, pointing out that his achievements in different areas of national life will always be remembered.
Meanwhile, in honour of his communal and political contributions to the Ozoro community and Nigeria, leaders of the community have announced plans to give a statesman burial ceremony for the late Senator, Francis Spanner Okpozo.
Spokesman of the Ozoro elders and leaders council, Chief Fred Obey, disclosed this on Tuesday.
He disclosed that discussions between the Okpozo family and the leaders of the Ozoro community would soon begin to plan on how to give the distinguished politician a befitting burial, the Guardian reports.
He described Okpozo’s death as a big loss to the Ozoro, Isoko, Delta state and Nigeria.