Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has been thrown into mourning following the death of a two-time President of its parent body, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Kimse Okoko.
It was gathered that Okoko, who was 80 and whose son, Keniebi, died earlier in the year, breathed his last on Sunday in an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at about 4.15 pm.
It was learned that Okoko, who until his death was a Pro-Chancellor of some universities, battled a prolonged sickness, but could no longer cope with his health challenges after the death of his son.
The IYC in a statement signed by its President, Peter Igbifa, described his death coming a few months after his son’s demise as double jeopardy.
Igbifa said the IYC received the death of Okoko with rude shock describing him as a scholar, leader, father, and patriot.
He referred to the deceased as a champion of restructuring, a fearless defender of the Ijaw struggle, and an apostle of true federalism and resource control.
He recalled how Okoko fought against corruption in government and tertiary institutions referring to his period as the INC President as the most exciting, engaging, and memorable.
Igbifa said Okoko’s last public remark was on the need for political inclusiveness and equity including saying that the East should be allowed to produce the next President of the country.
The statement said: “The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide received with rude shock the sudden death of our leader, scholar, and father, Prof. Kimse Okoko, a former two-time President of our parent body, the Ijaw National Congress (INC).
“This death comes a few months after the demise of his son, Keniebi, who until then was an influential political leader, is double jeopardy and an incalculable loss to the Ijaw nation.
“Prof. Kimse Okoko was a patriot, a champion of restructuring, an apostle of true federalism and resource control as well as a fearless defender of the Ijaw nation. As an anti-corruption crusader, Okoko spent most of his time-fighting grafts in government and tertiary institutions.
“This great Ijaw leader, a thoroughbred scholar, was a pro-chancellor to many universities and brought some reforms to those tertiary institutions. Okoko’s period as the President of INC was the most exciting, engaging, and memorable as he fearlessly sought solutions to the problems of underdevelopment, marginalisation and environmental pollution in the Niger Delta region.
“His death came at a time his advice and interventions were needed to solve the problems confronting the country, the Niger Delta, and the Ijaw nation. He spent his last moments speaking on the need for equity, justice, politics of inclusion, and emphasising that for the country to move forward, the South-East should be allowed to produce the next President.
“We have, indeed, lost a great leader. His death has created a vacuum in our struggle. Our condolences go to his family. May God give the family and the Ijaw nation the fortitude to bear this loss”.
Also, the National Coordinator, Ijaw Forward Movement (IFM), Alfred Kemepado, said Okoko’s death was a big blow to the Ijaw nation.
He, however, said the professor would be remembered for his immense contributions to scholarship and Ijaw struggles for resource control and self-determinism.
