OKOBO TRANSITION CHAIRMAN PAYS LAST RESPECT AS CHIEF JERRY OKPO IS LAID TO REST, SAYS THE LATE GOLDEN CHIEF WAS A GREAT ASSET THAT WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY ALL

Chairman of Okobo Local Government Transition Committee, Hon. Engr. George Henshaw on Saturday witnessed the burial of elder statesman and former State Caucus Member and State Linkman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was laid to rest in his Ikono Offi hometown.

His remain was laid to rest on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at his compound in Ikono Offi, Okobo Local Government Area, after a funeral service conducted by Redemption Power Church Ikot Ekpene at Community Secondary School Offi.

In his condolence message presented to the deceased family, Engr. Henshaw, said: "The death of Chief Jerry Okpo was a great loss to the local government area and the state in general. The transition chairman added: "Chief Jerry was a loving and caring husband, brother, father, grand father and uncle.

Consoling the widow of the late Nta Nta Oro, the transition chairman maintained that "Your late husband was a very intelligent, resourceful, diligent, meticulous and committed personality, seasoned politician of note and a practical philanthropist

"He was a dependable ally and a delight to be with.To his Community, he gave his all; time, energy and resources, He was indeed a great asset that will be greatly missed by all."

Other dignitaries from the federal and state government delegation at the funeral include: His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; President of the Nigerian Senate, His Excellency, Chief Dr. God'sWill Obot Akpabio who was represented by Senator representing Eket Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson; former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Group Captain Sam Enwang; Senator former Governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Distinguished Senator Obong Bassey Albert; former Managing Director of NDDC, Chief Bassey Dan Abia; immediate past sole Administrator of NDDC, Pastor Barr. Effiong Akwa; Senator Ita Enang; former Commissioner for Information, Crown Prince Chris Abasieyo; immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem; member representimg Oron Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Martins Esin; Member representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong; former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and former member of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chief Barrister Peter Linus Umoh; Sir Engr Edet Amana; former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Barrister Ekpenyong Ntekim and Member representing Okobo State Constituency, Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey.

Other sympathisers who graced the funeral ceremony are; Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Offong Bassey Etim Edet; Paramount Ruler of Okobo, HRM Edidem Ita Okokon (Isonsi 1); immediate past Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet; former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon; former Senator representing Eket Senatorial District, Senator Nelson Effiong; immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia; former Chairmen of Okobo Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ubuo Effiong Ubuo; Hon. Dr. Sylvester Attah, Supervisor for Works and Transport Mr Joe Ekpenyong, Supervisor for Education Ulap Edet Ifang, and host of numerous sympathisers and well-wishers.

Chief Jerry Okpo died in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last December 2023 after a brief illness. He was aged 69.