Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi (22 September 1961 – 4 May 2024), [1] was a Nigerian politician, industrialist and lawyer. He was also a former Minister of Education. [1]
Gbagi hailed from Oginibo and was considered as "one of the finest figures of the Urhobo nation". [2]
Gbagi was also a criminologist [3] and "incorruptible leader" who seemed to be full "of pedigree and competence", especially during his political career. [4]
Political career
Gbagi was a former Minister of State for Education during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan. [5] In the ensuing years, he ran for governorship under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) but was defeated by Sheriff Oborevwori of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). [5]
Philanthropy
Gbagi was a philanthropist. [6] According to Isaiah Egedegbe, Gbagi was noted for "his immense humanitarian contribution to the development of his community". [7]
Gbagi hailed from Oginibo town, and he was greatly loved by his own people because of his immense humanitarian contribution to the development of his community. He will be remembered by virtually everyone of them as a very benevolent man, one who often put smiles on the faces of his people. - Isaiah Egedegbe [7]
During his
funeral service held on 12 July 2024, the Catholic Bishop of
Warri Diocese, Most Revd.
Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, represented by the Very Revd. Fr. Ambrose Oghenejode Abaka, in his sermon called Gbagi "a generous man who was handy for distressed people within and outside the country".
[8]
Legal impact
Also, Gbagi's remarkable impact in the legal arena has not gone unnoticed, with a tribute by Isaiah Egedegbe describing him as "one of the conscientious defenders of truth and justice in the country". [7]
In the same vein, Prince Adewole Adebayo also opined that: "Chief Kenneth Gbagi was always ahead of the owner of the fight once justice was at stake". [9]
Governor
Sheriff Oborevwori of
Delta State was also reported to have paid tribute, acknowledging Gbagi as "a pathfinder, a conscientious public servant and a politician of repute".
[1]
Following the Adeje fire disaster on 10 July 2000 which claimed over 250 lives, [10] Gbagi seemed to have spoken truth to power, [7] when he stated that: "Rather than the government to blame the poor and traumatised people of Adeje for the disaster, it should rather blame itself". [11]
Controversy
According to a BBC News Pidgin report on 30 September 2020, Gbagi was declared wanted by the Delta State Police Command over accusation of ordering four of his hotel staff to be stripped naked and physically assaulted. [12] It was an allegation which his hotel management initially described as "a malicious conspiracy by some political detractors to bring Gbagi's character to disrepute". [13]
References
- ^ a b c Ige, Olugbenga. "Oborevwori, Peter Obi, others pay tribute to ex-minister Gbagi". The Punch. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Apah, Sunday. "Kenneth Gbagi's Burial Set For July 12". Independent Newspaper. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Igbekoyi, Felix. "Former Education Minister, Gbagi, Dies At 62". Leadership Newspaper. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Amaize, Emma. "Who really is Kenneth Gbagi?". Vanguard Newspaper. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ a b Oramadike, Vivian. "Former Minister Kenneth Gbagi Dies At 62". Channels TV. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Brisibe, Perez. "COVID- 19: Gbagi Foundation distributes palliatives to Deltans, shocks physically- challenged with deposits". Vanguard Newspaper. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d Ogedegbe, Isaiah. "Celebrating Chief Kenneth Gbagi As He Is Laid to Rest Today". NGGOSSIPS.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Adurokiya, Ebenezer. "Oborevwori, Omo-Agege, others storm Oginibo to bid ex-minister Gbagi farewell". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Adebayo Mourns Gbagi". ThisDay Newspaper. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Nigeria: Mass Deaths Following Burst Pipeline". AllAfrica. 17 July 2000. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Whyte, Adaobi (2002). The Abuse of the Nigerian Child. Evans Brothers. p. 259. ISBN 978-978-020-206-4.
- ^ "Kenneth Gbagi wanted: Police dey look for ex-education minister wey dem accuse say e strip im staff 'naked'". BBC News Pidgin. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Affe, Mudiaga. "Police declare ex-minister wanted over assault". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
References
Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi (22 September 1961 – 4 May 2024), [1] was a Nigerian politician, industrialist and lawyer. He was also a former Minister of Education. [1]
Gbagi hailed from Oginibo and was considered as "one of the finest figures of the Urhobo nation". [2]
Gbagi was also a criminologist [3] and "incorruptible leader" who seemed to be full "of pedigree and competence", especially during his political career. [4]
Political career
Gbagi was a former Minister of State for Education during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan. [5] In the ensuing years, he ran for governorship under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) but was defeated by Sheriff Oborevwori of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). [5]
Philanthropy
Gbagi was a philanthropist. [6] According to Isaiah Egedegbe, Gbagi was noted for "his immense humanitarian contribution to the development of his community". [7]
Gbagi hailed from Oginibo town, and he was greatly loved by his own people because of his immense humanitarian contribution to the development of his community. He will be remembered by virtually everyone of them as a very benevolent man, one who often put smiles on the faces of his people. - Isaiah Egedegbe [7]
During his
funeral service held on 12 July 2024, the Catholic Bishop of
Warri Diocese, Most Revd.
Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, represented by the Very Revd. Fr. Ambrose Oghenejode Abaka, in his sermon called Gbagi "a generous man who was handy for distressed people within and outside the country".
[8]
Legal impact
Also, Gbagi's remarkable impact in the legal arena has not gone unnoticed, with a tribute by Isaiah Egedegbe describing him as "one of the conscientious defenders of truth and justice in the country". [7]
In the same vein, Prince Adewole Adebayo also opined that: "Chief Kenneth Gbagi was always ahead of the owner of the fight once justice was at stake". [9]
Governor
Sheriff Oborevwori of
Delta State was also reported to have paid tribute, acknowledging Gbagi as "a pathfinder, a conscientious public servant and a politician of repute".
[1]
Following the Adeje fire disaster on 10 July 2000 which claimed over 250 lives, [10] Gbagi seemed to have spoken truth to power, [7] when he stated that: "Rather than the government to blame the poor and traumatised people of Adeje for the disaster, it should rather blame itself". [11]
Controversy
According to a BBC News Pidgin report on 30 September 2020, Gbagi was declared wanted by the Delta State Police Command over accusation of ordering four of his hotel staff to be stripped naked and physically assaulted. [12] It was an allegation which his hotel management initially described as "a malicious conspiracy by some political detractors to bring Gbagi's character to disrepute". [13]
References
- ^ a b c Ige, Olugbenga. "Oborevwori, Peter Obi, others pay tribute to ex-minister Gbagi". The Punch. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Apah, Sunday. "Kenneth Gbagi's Burial Set For July 12". Independent Newspaper. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Igbekoyi, Felix. "Former Education Minister, Gbagi, Dies At 62". Leadership Newspaper. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Amaize, Emma. "Who really is Kenneth Gbagi?". Vanguard Newspaper. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ a b Oramadike, Vivian. "Former Minister Kenneth Gbagi Dies At 62". Channels TV. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Brisibe, Perez. "COVID- 19: Gbagi Foundation distributes palliatives to Deltans, shocks physically- challenged with deposits". Vanguard Newspaper. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d Ogedegbe, Isaiah. "Celebrating Chief Kenneth Gbagi As He Is Laid to Rest Today". NGGOSSIPS.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Adurokiya, Ebenezer. "Oborevwori, Omo-Agege, others storm Oginibo to bid ex-minister Gbagi farewell". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Adebayo Mourns Gbagi". ThisDay Newspaper. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Nigeria: Mass Deaths Following Burst Pipeline". AllAfrica. 17 July 2000. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Whyte, Adaobi (2002). The Abuse of the Nigerian Child. Evans Brothers. p. 259. ISBN 978-978-020-206-4.
- ^ "Kenneth Gbagi wanted: Police dey look for ex-education minister wey dem accuse say e strip im staff 'naked'". BBC News Pidgin. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Affe, Mudiaga. "Police declare ex-minister wanted over assault". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2024.