Arthur Okowa, the father of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, is dead.
It was gathered that he died on Thursday at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.
The Nation learnt that the governor’s father died on Thursday morning.
He was born in August 1932 at Owa Alero in Ika North East Local Government.
Although no official statement of his death has been made by his family, sources confirmed the development.
One of the governor’s brothers, Solomon, wrote on his Facebook page to lament the death of their patriarch.
He said: “Daddy is gone to rest. Wonderful and strong daddy. A comforter, adviser, disciplinarian, God’s lover, peaceful and joyful loving father to all. May he rest in the bosom of the Lord.”
A retired teacher, Pa. Okowa, fondly called AOU, was the Okpara-Uku of Owa-Alero in Owa kingdom.
His death occurred a few hours after the Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, Tim Owhefere, died after battling an undisclosed ailment for weeks.
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday mourned Pa Okowa.
Wike, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, in Port Harcourt, described the death of the patriarch as a great loss to the people of Delta State.
Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and a former Senate President, David Mark, have condoled with Governor Okowa over the demise of his father.
Omo-Agege and Mark in statements in Abuja yesterday said the late Pa Okowa led a worthy and exemplary life.
The Deputy Senate President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, noted that Okowa’s father led a fulfilling life and endeared himself to his people, who continue to appreciate his worth.
He said: “I was shocked to hear of his passing on in the early hours of January 28.
“As a father to many other than his biological children, Sir Arthur Okorie Uzoma Okowa meant a lot to the people of Owa Alero in Ika North East Local Government where he was born in 1932.
“Popularly called ‘AOU’ by all, Sir Okowa, the Okpara-Uku of Owa-Alero, remained close to his place of birth and inspired many towards achieving true greatness.
“I commiserate with the family of our dear Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the good people of Owa-Alero over the transition of this great man to eternal realms.
“May God Almighty grant his soul eternal rest and grant all he left behind, fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Also, Mark in a statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, commiserated with the government and people of the state over the death of the governor’s father.
The former Senate helmsman noted that the death coming on the heels of a gas explosion that claimed lives and property in Agbor last week must have been devastating to the government and people of the state at this time.
Mark, who described the incident as unfortunate and heart-breaking, urged the governor to be strong for his people to lean on.
He described the late Sir Okowa as a pathfinder who trained his children to be patriotic and responsible citizens, contributing to the socio-political and economic development of the nation.
