How labour leader Frank Kokori died on his birthday

Chief Frank Kokori, the former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has passed away at the age of 80. He died at exactly 1:30 am on Thursday, December 7, 2023, coincidentally on his birthday.

The sad news was shared with our correspondent at around 2:30 am by Chief Kokori’s personal assistant, Atawada Barry Oke. According to Oke, Chief Kokori’s health had deteriorated since Monday, and he was unable to interact with those around him. Consequently, he was placed on life support.

Chief Kokori’s death comes just a month after he raised concerns about being neglected despite his substantial contributions to the country’s democratic growth. He had been battling a kidney-related ailment at Mount Horeb Clinic in Warri, Delta State, since early November.

The former labor leader had made a distress call on Thursday, November 9, 2023, expressing his plight and the alleged abandonment by NUPENG and the nation. Notable figures, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, visited Chief Kokori in response to his outcry, covering the medical bills.

Chief Kokori, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, had hoped for top-notch medical treatment, even suggesting the intervention of the Federal Government, specifically mentioning President Bola Tinubu, with whom he had fought against the military junta in the early 90s.