Chief Frank Kokori, the former Secretary – General of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has succumbed to a month-long battle with kidney-related complications.
EThe distinguished labor leader breathed his last in the early hours of Thursday, December 7, 2023, at a private hospital in Warri, coincidentally on his 80th birthday.
The sad news was relayed to the public by Kokori’s Personal Assistant, Atawada Oke, who revealed that the veteran activist’s health took a severe downturn on Monday.
Struggling to engage with those around him, Kokori found himself on life support before ultimately passing away at 1:30 a.m.
Chief Frank Kokori had previously raised alarm over his deteriorating health on November 9, 2023, expressing feelings of neglect despite his significant contributions to the democratic evolution of Nigeria.
Ex-notable dignitaries, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Deputy President of the Senate Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, among others, had paid visits to Kokori during his illness.
Kokori rose to prominence as a pivotal figure in the campaign for the validation of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.
READ ALSO: Don’t Expect Port Harcourt Refinery To Work By December – Ex-NNPC ED, Alex Ogedengbe
In response to the annulment by military junta Ibrahim Babangida, Kokori mobilized the masses and led nationwide strikes in collaboration with NUPENG and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), effectively crippling the nation’s oil industry.
Beyond his involvement in labor strikes, Kokori played a crucial role in pro-democracy movements, actively participating in rallies and demonstrations advocating for democracy and the recognition of Abiola’s victory.
Despite facing arrest, imprisonment, and torture by the military government, Kokori remained steadfast in his commitment to democratic ideals, earning widespread respect and admiration as a hero in the fight for June 12. #NUPENG