By ABEL JOHNGOLD
All is now set for the burial of the former State Trustee of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) Delta State Chapter, Comrade Kenneth Okoturoh.
The late renowned labour leader died on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in a specialist hospital in Asaba, after a brief illness.
In an invitation card signed by the deceased’s son and a family member, Mr. Mofe Ken-Okoturoh for the children and Pa. Sam Eyinsan Okoturoh for the family, it was stated that the late unionist will be given a befitting burial starting from today Thursday, 18th May, 2023.
The invitation card read “The family of Okoturoh of Madangho town in Ugborode, Warri South-West Local Government Area and the family of Oludewa Orighomisan of Orugbo town in Warri South Local Government Area both of Delta State, cordially invite you to the burial ceremony of our beloved son, brother, cousin, husband, father and uncle, Comrade Kenneth Okoturoh, February 28, 1968-April 1 2023.”
The invitation card indicated that there would be Service of Songs today Thursday, 18th May, 2023, by 5pm at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Center at Maryam Babaginda Way Asaba.
It added that the interment will be on Saturday, 20th May, 2023 by 10am at No 4, Misan Ukubeyinje Close, Ubeji in Warri, Delta State. Reception follows immediately at same venue.
Born February 28, 1964, Comrade Kenneth Okoturoh was trained at the Universities of Benin, Lagos and Ibadan and he has maintained strong ties with the institutions especially the Library Archival and Information Department of the University of Ibadan and cementing the relationship with other professional colleagues.
Archivist Kenneth Okoturoh worked as a banker in different banks and corporate organizations in Lagos during the military era before joining the Delta State Civil Service with the entrance of the present democratic government and rose to Director cadre before his untimely death.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in for the deceased.
Comrade Acha Viano described him as, “a man of justice. Through his union struggles, he always fought for the interests of his members’ union but also for the interest of workers generally in the State.”
In another tribute, the Chairman of the Federal Information Chapel of the Delta State Council of NUJ, Comrade Abel Johngold said, “Delta State has lost a negotiator and labour leader who believed in mutual understanding, constructive dialogue and a promoter of negotiation without bitterness. Comrade Okoturoh stand heads and shoulders above most comrades of his generation, was his readiness to organize and fight on the field. He was someone you could go into battle with, without the slightest fear that he would not hold his ground.
“He was a quintessential fellow with unquantifiable attributes. Comrade Okoturoh was resourceful. He excelled in theory and practice. The most quality and asset of a cadre is to be well-grounded in theory and practice. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”