The family of the late Chief Frank Ovie Kokori has rolled out a week-long final burial plan for the Activist and former General Secretary of the National Union Of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
A historical figure in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, the former Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) died on December 7, 2023, the same day he clocked 80 years.
He led oil workers in a prolonged nationwide strike that paralysed the entire Nigerian space, in order to pressure the General Sani Abacha military junta to disannul the June 12, 1993 election widely believed to have been won by Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola.
The burial dates were announced in a statement on behalf of his family by the Chief Frank Ovie Kokori Burial Planning Committee (Media Subcommittee).
The statement was signed by the alternate chairman, Felix Ayanruoh Esq, on behalf of the chairman of the Media Sub-Committee, Mr Kayode Komolafe, Secretary, Ebenezer Adurokiya and son of the late octogenarian, Kive Kokori.
According to the committee, the burial ceremony would run from March 4 to 10, 2024.
It commences with a Symposium/Lecture Day/Day of Tributes on March 4 at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other top government functionaries and leadership of labour unions, members of the civil society and the general public are expected to be in attendance.
On Thursday March 7, 2024, the body of the octogenarian will be lying in state, coupled with service of songs and Christian Wake at his country home in Ovu, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Final church burial service for the fiery unionist will hold on Friday March 8, 2024, to be swiftly followed by his interment, reception and entertainment of guests.
The seven-day burial ceremony will be wrapped up on Sunday March 10, 2024 with a Church Thanksgiving.