OKPOZO WAS A POLITICIAN AMONG POLITICIANS.... IGBUYA

Honourable Monday Igbuya, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Thursday advised politicians in Nigeria to reject politics of extremism, political intolerance and acts of institutional and class injustice.

Speaker Igbuya stated this during the Valedictory session in honour of Senator Francis Okpozo, one time Deputy Speaker of the Bendel State House of Assembly and Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment.

Hon. Igbuya in his speech, urged the political class to keep alive the principles of love and tolerance by which Okpozo lived while also commending the late lawmaker for his commitment to peace in the Niger Delta region, development of the Isoko nation and the entrenchment of democratic tenets among his people.

According to Speaker Igbuya, “Senator Okpozo was a consummate politician, a consistent critic and commentator with the strategic aim of settling stormy issues and developing the Niger Delta region”.

Describing the Third Republic senator as an amazing leader and a lawmaker per excellence, Igbuya noted that; ”more than this, the former Deputy Speaker, Bendel State House of Assembly and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was an elegant legislator who knew the law”.

He appealed to critics not to damage Okpozo’s reputation by ascribing to him motives that he never harboured or pursued goals he never contemplated saying, “the late lawmaker served in the then Bendel State House of Assembly and the Senate with distinction”.

“Senator Francis Spannar Okpozo touched and enriched the life of many in such a profound way. He presided over the Bill establishing the then Bendel State University, now Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and Delta State University, Abraka. He also contributed greatly towards the establishment of the then Bendel State Polytechnic, Ozoro”.

“Okpozo was a politician among politicians. He fought a good fight. I bid our great leader a long and fond farewell even as flights of angels lead him gently to eternal rest” Igbuya added.