The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on
Monday, commiserated with Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu over the
death of the State’s commissioner for Environment, Dr. Solomon Ogunji.
Recall that the Abia Commissioner for Environment, Solomon Ogunji, was on Sunday, confirmed dead. In
a press release issued by the State Commissioner for Information, John
Okiyi Kalu, and made available to newsmen, Ogunji passed on Saturday at
the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, after a brief illness
related to High blood pressure.
However, in a statement signed by
the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party described the late Ogunji as
hard-working official and loyal compatriot, whose roles in the
infrastructural development of the state, especially in execution of
landmark road projects in strategic parts of Abia state.
While recalling the great achievements of the Late Abia Commissioner
which included complementing the efforts of Ikpeazu-led administration
in actualizing most tangible and visible infrastructural projects in
Abia, the party further hailed Ogunji’s commitment towards the success
of the PDP-led government in the state and the wellbeing of the people. Parts
of the statement read, “PDP comforts Governor Ikpeazu, who had been
thrown into deep mourning over the loss of his most trusted ally and
associate, who exhibited uncommon commitment towards the success of the
administration through his dedication to all assignments given to him”.
In
a related development, Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has
recalled his sojourn and relationships with the late State Commissioner
for Environment, Solomon Ogunji. In a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information, John
Okiyi Kalu, and made available to reporters, Ogunji passed on Saturday
at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, after a brief
illness related to High blood pressure.
Ikpeazu said that his
friendship with the late Dr. Ogunji has remained since his 13th birthday
and ever since then, no one else has come closer to him in terms of
personal relationships.
“We grew up together, attended the same
secondary school where we were classmates. I cannot remember any other
person that shares with me the kind of relationship I had with Solo.
“Many years ago, we both lost our fathers and incidentally, the two
burials were fixed for the same day. While the funeral service for his
father was still on and before the burial proper, he left his village at
Ohambele Ndoki and joined me at Umuobiakwa. He got to my village while
we were getting set for the funeral service of my late father. I asked
him why and he told me that he had two elder brothers who could take
charge at home while I was not just the first son but the first child,
and so needed all the psychological support I could get. He stayed with
me till the next day before returning to his village to join his own
family. That is the kind of friend Solo was to me. It went beyond mere
friendship”.
The Governor continued, “As young boys, we shared
dreams of our tomorrow at a time when no one knew that we would find
ourselves at the top echelon of public service. Solo’s death is
definitely very hard for me to swallow”. “Solo was a committed
workaholic. He was prepared to go the extra mile to protect our mandate
and whatever assignments he was given in our government, he handled with
an uncommon commitment. You could never find him wanting. For him, it
was beyond the ordinary call of duty, it was an obligation he owed me,
his best friend. I trusted him completely,” he added.
SOURCE: Daily Post
