Kenneth Gbagi
Kenneth Gbagi (22 September 1961 - 4 May 2024),[1] also known as Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, was a Nigerian politician, industrialist and lawyer. He was also a former Minister of Education.[1] He hailed from Oginibo and was considered as "one of the finest figures of the Urhobo nation".[2]
Gbagi was also a renowned[3] "criminologist 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]
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".[7]
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,[8] an allegation which his hotel management initially described as "a malicious conspiracy by some political detractors to bring Gbagi's character to disrepute".[9]
However, the Delta State High Court sitting in Warri later held that Gbagi was culpable of staff abuse and consequently awarded N1 million fine against him.[10]
Personal life
Gbagi was married to Chief Mrs. Evelyn Gbagi and they were blessed with eight children. Then he married Hon. Justice Sybil Gbagi and had a child.[1] His eldest son is Emuoboh Gbagi,[11] who served as the Special Adviser to former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Youth Development.[12]
Death and burial
Gbagi died on 4 May 2024 at the age of 62, according to a BBC News Pidgin report.[13] After a brief illness, Gbagi succumbed to death and was survived by his wife Hon. Justice Sybil Gbagi and nine children.[1]
The news of Gbagi's death caused several reactions in Nigerian media,[1] with the death being described by the Delta State Government "as tragic, unfortunate and heart-wrenching".[14]
Gbagi's monarch, the traditional ruler of Ughievwen Kingdom, HRM Matthew Ediri Egbi during a condolence visit to Gbagi's family also described the death as "a profound loss not only to the family but also to Oginibo, the Urhobo people, Delta State, and Nigeria".[15]
Gbagi was buried on 12 July 2024 in his community Oginibo in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.[7]
Awards and recognition
Gbagi was known around the world as a "multiple award winning achiever".[16] He was credited with being "the first living black man to attain the coveted AKS member of Rotary International and recipient of numerous national and international awards".[16]
Gbagi was also presented with a National Award by former President Muhammadu Buhari, notably receiving the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Nigerian government in 2022.[17]
Traditionally, the chieftaincy title of "Ojaurhoboreri" was also conferred on Chief Gbagi because of his love for the Urhobo people.[18]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ige, Olugbenga. Oborevwori, Peter Obi, others pay tribute to ex-minister Gbagi (5 July 2024)The Punch Newspaper. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ↑ Apah, Sunday. Kenneth Gbagi's Burial Set For July 12 (10 July 2024)Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ↑ Igbekoyi, Felix. Former Education Minister, Gbagi, Dies At 62Leadership Newspaper. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ↑ Amaize, Emma. Who really is Kenneth Gbagi? (3 May 2020)Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Oramadike, Vivian. Former Minister Kenneth Gbagi Dies At 62 (5 May 2024)ChannelsTV.com. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ↑ Brisibe, Perez. Covid- 19: Gbagi Foundation distributes palliatives to Deltans, shocks physically- challenged with deposits (18 April 2020)Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Adurokiya, Ebenezer. Oborevwori, Omo-Agege, others storm Oginibo to bid ex-minister Gbagi farewell (12 July 2024)Tribune Online. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ↑ Kenneth Gbagi wanted: Police dey look for ex-education minister wey dem accuse say e strip im staff 'naked' (30 September 2020)BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ↑ Affe, Mudiaga. Police declare ex-minister wanted over assault (30 September 2020)Premium Times. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ↑ Odunsi, Wale. Court fines Delta SDP guber candidate Kenneth Gbagi for stripping, torturing hotel staff (19 July 2022)Daily Post Newspaper. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ↑ Oborevwori, Dafinone mourn as Gbagi dies at 62 (6 May 2024)The Guardian Newspaper. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ↑ Falade, Olaotan. Okowa swears-in Emuoboh Gbagi as Special Adviser On Youth Development (25 September 2019)TheNewsGuru.com. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ↑ Family comfam death of former education minister Kenneth Gbagi (5 May 2024)BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ↑ Oborevwori mourns as Ex-Minister, Gbagi, dies at 62 (7 May 2024)Delta State Government. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ↑ Apah, Sunday. Ughievwen Monarch Pays Condolence Visit to Late Kenneth Gbagi's Family (15 May 2024)Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Late Chief Barr. Kenneth O. Gbagi, OON (September 22, 1961- May 4, 2024) (6 July 2024)Peoples Daily Newspaper. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ↑ Dafe, Daniel. OON Award: SDP Congratulates Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi (3 October 2022)Oasis Magazine. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ↑ Gbagi's Death: Egbo Condoles with Family, Hails His Achievements and Impact (23 June 2024)Asaba Metro. Retrieved 19 July 2024.