The Ijaw ethnic nationality has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of its billionaire son, Keniebi Okoko, who passed away at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos State.
Okoko, 43, reportedly died during a major surgery at the hospital following power outage and failure of the medical facility to power its generator.
Okoko, a pastor in one of the Salvation Ministry’s branch in Port Harcourt, hails from Obunagha in Gbarain, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
The late billionaire was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), KDI Oil and Gas Limited. He was also one of the leading governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last governorship poll in Bayelsa State.
He came third in the internal poll and later threw his weight behind former Governor Seriake Dickson and his candidate for the poll, Senator Douye Diri, who later won the election through the Supreme Court judgement.
The news of Okoko’s death, which filtered in on Tuesday evening, threw the Ijaw nation into mourning following the deceased’s antecedent as a philantropitst.
But confusion befell the nationality on Wednesday mourning when some persons reported that Okoko came back to life again following the intervention of some pastors, who prayed for him at the morgue.
The development forced the people of Obunagha, his home community, to troop to the streets in celebration.
But further findings showed that the claims were fake as prominent Ijaw persons, who belonged to a platform, confirmed his death.
A post on the platform by Dakuku Peterside, a former Rivers State Governorship Candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), showed that Okoko died at the undisclosed hospital.
Dakuku said on the platform: “I start by a confession, Kenebi is my friend, brother and someone who impacts every soul he comes in contact with. Yesterday (Tuesday) I got a call and rushed to the hospital where I met him lifeless. What is important is that he lived a good and impactful life and sure he has gone to be with the Lord. Two things smacked me.
“The extent of human solidarity. I got to the hospital about 8-8:30pm and friends of his from across the country, high, mighty, ordinary folks, have taken over the hospital and were ready to go to ‘war’ for most loved Kenebi. It simply restored my faith in brotherhood and humanity. Too many persons ,in the midst of wailing,were willing to help to ensure that a loving soul like Kenebi is not put to shame .
“The second observation is that all and sundry were not happy with the professional handling of the medical attention he got leading to his death and are demanding that we must get to the root of the matter so persons whose professional negligence led to this avoidable death must be held to account for it .
“In Kenebi’s death, I have seen the outpouring of love and appreciation of impactful living. May the soul of my beloved brother KENEBI Rest In Peace and May we continue rallying each other whenever the need arises”.