Urhobo Nation Pays Condolence Visit To Gbagi’s Family At Home Town

…Your father was larger than life – UPU PG

By Ejiro Oniyan

Urhobo nation through the apex socio-cultural organization in Delta State, Urhobo Progress Union UPU, Worldwide, on Saturday, paid a condolence visit to the family of Late Olorogun (Barr.) Kenneth Omemevwa Gbagi at Oginibo, home town of the former Minister of Education, State in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.

The socio-cultural group was led by the President General of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Olorogun (Barr.) Ese Gam Owe. They were received by Chief Emuobo Gbagi and other family members.

The President General said in their condolence message that the death of Gbagi was not just a loss to the Urhobo nation in particular, but to Nigerians in general, adding that UPU will be part of the funeral arrangements.

Barr. Ese Gam described Gbagi as a Nigerian, who commanded great respect from all sections of the country, adding that both his private and public life, were impactful and that he left an indelible mark on humanity.

According to the President General; “Gbagi was a man with capacity and integrity. The entire Urhobo nation is grieving over his untimely passage and as such we chose to make the visit unceremonious as it was not a celebration of life. Gbagi was not an ordinary chief, he was a global chief who was highly respected at home and abroad.

“Your father was larger than life and even till now, he is still larger than life. He was a great man, hence, we sang the Urhobo song. We know that even here that we are today, he us still watching at us, hence, an Urhobo adage says Orugba, meaning perfection”, stressing that they were at his home because of the late Gbagi”.

He disclosed that the UPU would like to fully participate during the burial arrangements and we are here because of him.

Speaking further, he described Gbagi, as an achiever, “What was left that he could not achieve? He was not a Chief of one small local government or one kingdom, he was a global Chief.

“Is there any place his mates traveled to on this earth that he could not travel to because there was no money? No. Everything his mates have he had them not like us who have them in little quantity, he had them in larger quantity.

“Your father has left a indelible mark, nothing can ever wipe his name from the history of Urhobo Nation and Nigeria, again. A man who rose to the rank of a minister, is that a small person”? He asked just as he prayed for them to be more prosperous.

In his response, the eldest son, Chief Emuoboh Gbagi, expressed gratitude to UPU for the visit, saying, “I want to thank everybody, since our father died, its been very hard for us his children but without the support of the Urhobo Nation, we will not be here today.

It could be recalled that Gbagi who was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the last election in Delta State, died on the 4th of May 2024 at the age of 62. Since his death, prominent Nigerians including top government functionaries and groups have been paying condolences to the family.