The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), says Frank Kokori was a beacon of democratic struggles in Nigeria and he remained an advocate of democracy throughout his life.
Mr Williams Akporeha, President of NUPENG, said this during an interview on Thursday in Lagos.
Kokori, a former General Secretary, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), dead around 1:30 am on Thursday, on his 80th birthday.
Akporeha said the labour and pro-democracy movements would miss Kokori greatly.
“He stood firm and continue to speak for the downtrodden until his last breath on earth. We wish he lived longer. It is a sad day for us in NUPENG and will continue to celebrate him.
“Kokori was a well-known committed and dedicated defender, promoter and fighter for workers’ rights and democratic rights of the citizens.
“He spent a life of “Sacrifice” to struggles for emancipation of the working class globally and enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, Kokori spent years in prisons and severally brutalised in his struggles for not only the Trade Unions but also against military rule in Nigeria.
He said the late unionist spent later years of his life nursing some of the vicious wounds inflicted on him in the course of those struggles.
