NUJ, Okowa Salute Heroics Driver Who Drove Burning Fuel Tanker To Safety To Save Lives In Delta

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council has hailed a brave driver, Ejiro Otarigho who drove a burning fuel tanker to safety to save lives in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

www.bigpenngr.com had reported that Otarigho’s tanker which was laden with product had caught fire at a densely populated area of Agbarho town but he reportedly took the risk to drive the tanker to secluded area to avoid lost of lives before the tanker was fully gutted by fire.

Reacting to the development, the NUJ in a statement by the state chairman, Michael Ikeogwu and secretary, Patrick Ochei, called on all levels of government to celebrate Mr. Ejiro Otarigho, for the rare display of patriotism.

According to the statement, lives and private and public properties were saved, and expressed gratitude to God that Otarigho is alive to tell the story.

“On this note, we call on the Federal Government, Delta State Government and of course the Ughelli North Local Government to celebrate this young man and duly compensate him.

“His singular effort had saved the state so much, otherwise, if the incident had occurred, the state would have been counting loses in human casualties and property destructions.

“On our part as a union and mirror of society, the young Otarigho is our man of the year, and at the appropriate time, we will honour him to prove to the world that there are still patriotic ordinary Nigerians.

“People like him are those that truly deserve media awards. We are really proud of him,” it stated.

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has commended Mr Ejiro Otarigho, driver of the petroleum truck that exploded at Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area, on Saturday, for his uncommon heroism that averted a major disaster.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Okowa said that the bravery and patriotism-propelled risk taken by Agbarho-born driver saved what may have resulted in collosal loss of lives and property.

He expressed deep appreciation to Otarigho for the discretion he applied in steering the already burning truck, laden with petroleum product, away from a densely populated area, at the risk of his life, describing his valour as “amazing”.

According to Okowa, this act of bravery and compassion in today’s Nigeria is without equivocation, worthy of commendation and emulation.

“Yesterday, a tanker laden with diesel caught fire at Agbarho community, but for the uncommon bravery and heroism exhibited by the driver, Mr Ejiro Otarigho, a lot of houses and probably lives, would have been lost to the inferno.

“We were delighted to hear of the gallantry of the driver who took the initiative and risk to drive the tanker away from densely populated area to a secluded area before the tanker finally exploded.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I commend Mr Otarigho for what our God Almighty used him to do on that day – saving lives and property by his heroic action.

“In a country plagued by challenges of varying dimensions, such acts of bravery are commendable and worthy of emulation.

“As a government, we thank Mr Otarigho for this great act of putting the lives of others first before his and we thank God for saving him from the inferno.

“We are proud of you and we urge other Deltans and Nigerians to emulate your heroics acts in all their activities,” Okowa stated.