… GOV. OKowa caused it, says Barr. Agbajoh
Former Special Assistant (SA) to the immediate past governor of Delta State, Barr. Marry Agbajoh has berated the governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa over the manner late Olorogun Senator Felix Ibru’s burial was conducted, saying the state government refused to assist him while he was in hospital in London and further humiliated him in death by giving him a poor burial.
Agbajoh in an exclusive interview in Asaba said “Okowa for failing to render any financial assistant to Olorogun Ibru, even when appeal were repeatedly made to him by those close to Ibru about the financial challenge he was facing in UK”.
According to her all efforts to see Governor Okowa failed and his Principal Secretary Mr Hilary Obi Ibegbulem failed to respond to earlier promise to see Okowa in order to get back to Olorogun’s aide in UK also failed as he never responded thereafter.
In a text message she forwarded to journalists which was sent on April 1st, 2016, reads in part: “Dear Hilary, I know you are very busy… As discussed, I just finished speaking to Olorogun Felix Ibru PA in London and he said things are very bad and Olorogun is dying silently.
As regards the medicals they spend over 30m each trip. Pls any help from Delta state government will go a long way (than state Burial) God bless you; Barr. MoAgbajoh, 01-04-2016”.
While picking holes in the manner the burial of the first former civilian governor was conduct, Agbajoh query the burial committee led by the Secretary to State Government Hon. Festus Ovie Agas over the choice of casket used to bury Ibru.
“Olorogun Ibru is noted for white, if they could not honour him by buying white casket, at least they would have gotten silver because he worth it.
“To further humiliate him in death, they bought a brown coffin that does not worth one N100, 000 and claimed that they bought it for N 5million naira. Can you just image how heartless the committee is? Especially the SSG who is an Urhobo man! That coffin they bought does it worth N 100, 000? She asked.
She said that facts would unfold soon how the burial money was share among the Committee including one of the media aids to the governor on electronics Mr. Amaechi Udemba who diverted publicity fund, adding that Hon. Agas took half of the fund.
“You journalists investigate and see how the money was spent, were you not there and saw the type of entertainment on that Wednesday? Even that of valedictory session at Government House, no entertainment and all these were budgeted for. Where is the money? she queried.
She stated further that governor Okowa in his vindictiveness choose to name a state secretariat building after Olorogun Felix Ibru; “is Olorogun Ibru a Permanent Secretary or Head of Civil Service that a secretariat should be named after him?
Why not named Osubi airport or desirable things after him if Okowa was sincere about immortalizing Olorogun Ibru, who else deserves it more than Ibru?
She disclosed the SMS sent to the governor; “Your Excellency! Hope this meets you well. Why the choice of state secretariat named after Olorogun? What happened to the Airports Asaba or Osubi which was formerly Warri Airport, the Ibru’s Aero pioneered? Please who else is best fit to be named after an Airport that the first civilian governor or is it you after you die?
“You have been so unfair to Olorogun, even while in the hospital and in death. If you had responded to him, Olorogun wouldn’t have died. God is watching you,” she added.
At press time, efforts made to reach the chairman, Ibru Burial Committee, SSG, Mr. Festus Agas failed.
In same development, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah has also diverted over N50 million approved by the state government to burry late Steven Keshi while N150 million was spend in renovating late Keshi’s house amidst economic crunch and poverty ridden Illah community that lacks government presence.
