Okowa, Deputy Mourn Death Of Ogbaburhon, ex-Fed Lawmaker And APC Chieftain

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has described the passing of former member House of Representatives, Chief Austin Ogbaburhon, as “painful and a great loss to the state”. 

Ogbaburhon, a former Board Chairman, Nigeria Rubber Research Institute and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly died at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja on Thursday morning. 

Reacting to the demise of Ogbaburhon, also a former Chairman of Okpe and Udu Local Government Areas, Okowa said he was a great politician who made his mark in the political history of Delta. 

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Friday in Asaba, he remarked that Ogbaburhon, who represented Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2015 was a grassroots politician and a leader of great disposition. 

“Chief Ogbaburhon was Deputy State Chairman of PDP and later Chairman, Waste Management Board where he contributed immensely to the growth and development of the state.

“His contributions to the provision of employment for the youths of the state remains laudable. As Chief Executive Officer of Gabstin International Services, he created numerous offshore jobs for Deltans.

“Although he later joined the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) where he was elected into the House of Representatives in 2011, he returned to the PDP later but moved to the APC in 2017.

“Ogbaburhon played his part in the political history of Delta and will be missed by all.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with his family, the Orhuwhorun community in Udu Local Government Area on the passing of Chief Austin Ogbaburhon. 

It is my prayer that God grant his soul easy passage and bring succour to all those who mourn his demise,” Okowa stated.

Meanwhile, the State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has expressed sadness over the death of Ogbaburhon whom he described as “another brother in Urhoboland”

“I know Chief Austin Ogbaburhon to be a strong, grassroots, go-getter politician who worked hard for the welfare of his people. His contributions to the development of Delta State as Chairman, Okpe and Udu council areas, Chairman, Delta State Waste Management Board and House of Representatives member,  would project him as model beyond his death”, Otuaro told newsmen in Asaba on Friday.

“My heart goes out to his family, Orhuwhorun community in Udu LGA where he hails from and the people of Delta State for the loss. I am partly from Emadadja in Udu LGA, so Ogbaburhon is more like a brother whose death strikes the heart”, Otuaro lamented, adding: “May Almighty God grant the fortitude to bear the loss”.

Otuaro had, a week ago, lamented the death of Gen Orho Obada, Ex-Acting Chief of Air Staff and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) as one who expended his intellect in stabilising the polity just as he held out Hon Joyce Overah, Chief Tom Amioku and wife of Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa, Victoria, as “peace and development drivers in the state while alive”.