The family of the late Chief Frank Kokori, former General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has set March 4-10, 2024, as the dates for his final burial rites.
Quest Times reports that Kokori who passed away on December 7, 2023, at the age of 80, will be remembered for his significant role in the fight for democracy.
The Burial Planning Committee (Media Subcommittee) announced the schedule of events in a statement jointly signed by Felix Ayanruoh, the alternate chairman, on behalf of the chairman, Mr Kayode Komolafe, Secretary Ebenezer Adurokiya, and Kokori’s son, Kive Kokori.
The ceremony will commence with a symposium/lecture and a day of tributes on March 4 at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
Distinguished guests, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, government officials, and labour union leaders, are expected to attend.
On Thursday, March 7, 2024, the late Kokori’s body will lie in state at his Ovu home in Delta State, accompanied by a service of songs and a Christian Wake.
The final church burial service is scheduled for Friday, March 8, 2024, followed by interment, reception, and entertainment for guests.
The seven-day burial ceremony will conclude on Sunday, March 10, 2024, with a Church Thanksgiving for family members, friends, and well-wishers.
It is worth noting that Frank Kokori played a pivotal role in mobilizing the masses against the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Leading strikes that paralyzed the oil industry, he became a prominent figure in the fight for democracy, enduring imprisonment and torture for his activism.
Despite the challenges, Kokori remained steadfast in his commitment to democratic ideals, earning widespread respect and admiration as a hero in the June 12 struggle.