Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has expressed sadness on the passing of a former Head of Service in the State, Dr Samuel Okpokpor.
Okpokpor, who served as Head of Service in the State from July 2007 to March 2010, hailed from Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of the State.
Okpokpor, a veterinary doctor, died at 75 on Monday in Asaba after a brief illness.
Governor Oborevwori, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, commiserated with the family, the people of Oleh and Isoko nation as well as the State Civil Service over the death of the elder statesman.
He said Okpokpor’s death was a huge loss to the civil service and the entire State, given his invaluable role as a former Permanent Secretary and Head of Service.
Oborevwori remarked that Okpokpor’s service to the State was inspiring and would be missed by those whose lives he touched in various ways.
The Governor urged the family to be consoled by the legacies left behind by the elder statesman.
“It is with great sadness that I, my family, the Government and people of Delta commiserate with the Okpokpor family of Oleh in Isoko South on the passing of a septuagenarian and elder statesman and former Head of Service of Delta State, Dr Samuel Okpokpor.
“His death remains a great loss, not just to his family but to the entire State given his role as a retired bureaucrat.
“As we pray for his soul to rest peacefully in the bossom of his creator, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and may God grant them the fortitude to bear his demise,” he said.