Frank Kokori, June 12 Protest Mobilizer, Ex-Labour Leader, Passes Away on His Birthday

Sad news fills the air as Frank Kokori, the former general secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), breathed his last at a hospital in Warri, Delta state. His demise coincided tragically with his birthday.

Atawada Oke, Kokori’s devoted personal assistant, confirmed the demise of the seasoned leader, who had been grappling with a kidney-related ailment over the past few months.

Kokori, on November 9, had sounded the alarm about his health from his sickbed. Responding to this, Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor of Delta, paid a visit to the ailing statesman 24 hours later. During the visit, the governor pledged the state’s commitment to providing robust support for Kokori’s access to high-quality medical treatment.

Frank Kokori’s legacy extends beyond his union leadership. He played a pivotal role in the resistance against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Mobilizing workers against both the annulment and the military junta, Kokori’s activism led to his arrest and subsequent detention by the military government.

The passing of Frank Kokori marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to the cause he passionately championed.