A former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) workers, Chief Frank Kokori, is dead.
Kokori, aged 80, was said to have been on hospital admission over a kidney-related ailment.
The foremost ex-labour unionist died at a private hospital in Warri around 1:30 am on Thursday
Kokori’s personal assistant, Atawada Barry Oke, who confirmed his death, said his health worsened on Monday as he was not able to interact with people, adding that he was placed on life support.
Born on December 7, 1943, Frank Kokori attended Urhobo College in Warri between 1959 and 1962. He later proceeded to the Eko Boys High School in Lagos.
He was an alumnus of the University of Ibadan.
Kokori served as Secretary-General of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Employees during the regime of ex-military President, General Ibrahim Babangida .
He was a feared labour unionist who led NUPENG and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN on nationwide protests and strikes several times.
He was also a leading voice and prominent leader of the popular nationwide protest against the June 12, 1993 election annulment and the death of Chief Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the election under the regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Kokori was arrested and detained in 1994 by the Abacha regime. He was released in 1998 by Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar.
In politics, Kokori was a member of the All Progressives Congress.
He had been battling with a kidney problem before he died. His condition degenerated on Monday, December 4, 2023, and had to be placed on life support.
Kokori died at a private hospital in Warri around 1:00am on December 7, on his 80th birthday.