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 and forwarded to DAILY POST on Monday night, 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.
