Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Friday lauded the outstanding contributions of late Senator Patrick Osakwe to the growth and development of Delta North senatorial district and the state.
Okowa, at the funeral service of the deceased senator at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ugiliamai, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State, noted that he was the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation of the late Osakwe when he was running for the Delta North senatorial district, adding that the deceased served between
1999 and 2011.
“I was privileged to replace him in the Senate after he served his people very well for 12 years (1999-2011).
“We have come here, though we mourn, but to celebrate not just a true son of Ugiliamai or Ndokwa nation but of Delta and Nigeria.
“We know that our departed father and brother, Sen. Osakwe is a household name in our nation Nigeria.
“As a little boy, I heard about him because he truly worked very hard and he started from a humble beginning but rose in hard work to the top.
“We are told of his exploits in business and his philanthropy to people. We know about the things he has done here and in Delta,” the governor said.
Okowa added that the deceased was a great politician and was so popular with the people that he ran elections under different political parties and won.
“God knows why he has chosen to take him at this time that we all need him, especially, his immediate family. He was a father figure to a lot of people politically,” he said.
Okowa, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged the family and followers of the late senator to trust in God.
He also urged them to take solace in the fact that their patriarch lived a life of great accomplishments as an astute businessman and a politician of repute.
Earlier in his homily, Rev. Father Barnabas Esegine, described the late senator as an enigma who did not live for himself but for others.
He urged Christians to live their life with eternity in view, adding that the deceased would be remembered for the lasting legacies he built for God and humanity.
Some of prominent personalities at the funeral service included a former deputy governor of the state, Chief Benjamin Elue; Sen. James Manager and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu.