By Jonathan Ugbal: Government House Correspondent
Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has expressed deep shock and sadness over the death of former minister for environment, Mr. John Ogar Odey.
Odey died in the early hours of Sunday in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates due illnesses relating to cancer.
And, Ayade in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr. Christian Ita said the news of his passing was depressing. He described it as a monumental loss to the state.
“We have lost an illustrious son, a good ambassador of Cross River. Our state is in shock, Cross River is grieving because Odey’s death is a huge loss to our dear state.The pain of Odey’s demise is too heavy in my heart to bear,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
He eulogised the virtues of the late minister whom he said was, “a patriot who meticulously discharged his duties assigned to him creditably.”
“Not only was Odey a loyal party man of the PDP (People’s Democratic Party) family, he was a quintessential gentleman and a team player whose imprints as the party’s national publicity secretary and later minister for the environment, are there for every one to see. He carried out his duties with utmost dedication and patriotism.”
The governor offered his heart felt condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
“My heart and prayers are with you at this very difficult period. I pray for the repose of John’s soul, we loved him so much but God loves him more; He alone knows why John departed at this time. We can not question God,” Ayade said.
CrossRiverWatch gathered that, Mr. Ayade was still in PortHarcourt, the Rivers State capital as at the time of the release where the party’s elective national convention held with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar emerging as the presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.
About 95 delegates from the state had participated in the exercise which Mr. Odey would have been part of if alive and fit sources said.
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