Former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori has expressed sadness over the death of former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi.
NaijaOnPoint.com.ng (NOP) reports Gbagi, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 governorship election in Delta, died on Saturday.
Describing Gbagi as a very courageous politician, Ibori said the life of the former Minister was one of selfless service and sacrifice for the greater good.
In a statement obtained by NOP, Ibori wrote:
“With a heavy heart, I mourn the passing of my dear friend and brother, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi.
“Olorogun was a very courageous politician and a fierce advocate of good governance.
*Delta State has lost a true statesman and servant of the people.
“Olorogun Gbagi’s commitment to uplifting our State and its citizens were unimpeachable.
“His life was one of selfless service and sacrifice for the greater good.
“While he has departed this world, Olorogun Gbagi’s shining legacy and example will forever light our path.
“We mourn this irreplaceable loss, but take solace that his life’s work has made an indelible impact on our State.
“On behalf of my family, I say farewell Olorogun Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi – you will be forever missed and honoured”.
NOP reports details of Gbagi’s demise are still very sketchy as at the time of filing this report.
The 62-year-old criminologist and attorney of the Nigerian bar was the governorship candidate of SDP in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Delta State and a former Minister of State for Education.
Born in Sapele, Delta State, in a Catholic hospital by the Cemetery at Ogodo Road on September 22, 1961, Gbagi attended Bishop Johnson Memory Primary School, Sapele. At 14, he left for Kosofe Secondary School, Mile 12 in Lagos.
After his secondary education, Gbagi worked with a Foreign Service before travelling abroad to further his education. While in Hong Kong, he shot a movie titled The Birth of Hong Kong in 1993. This gave him some money to pay his tuition fee at Sans Thomas University in the Philippines, where he read political science. He left Sans Thomas University and graduated as a criminologist from the Philippine College of Criminology.
Gbagi returned to Nigeria for his National Youth Service (NYSC) and served at the Police College in Ikeja, where he taught criminology.
He later went back to School and made distinction at the faculty of law, University of Lagos. He was the youngest lawyer ever to head the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
His investments in Nigeria include GKO Group of Companies, Geekos Investments, Signatious Hotels, and Robinson Shopping Plaza in Warri.