BISHOP of Auchi
Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, yesterday condemned the
recklessness of drivers of heavy duty vehicles on the highway, just as
Edo State Government doled out N25 million to the widow and children of
the late AIT journalist, Mr. Fidelis Okhani, who died in an auto crash
involving the convoy of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, last weekend.
The bishop, who
made the observation during the funeral service for late Okhani, aged
41, at St. Mary’s Parish, Iviukwe, Etsako East Local Governement Area,
said people should be educated to do what was right, irrespective of
political party affiliations.
The Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, in his remarks, recalled that
Fidelis worked with him while he was not yet a governor in 2006, saying
he was dedicated to his duties.
He said: “We
shared a common vision that Edo State must move on by taking motion
pictures of our activities into the living rooms of Nigerians across the
nation.
“This death will not break our fighting spirit. The best tribute we can
give them is to use public resources to address the challenges of the
people.
The government
has obligation to support those who need help, we have done it for those
we do not even know, because that is the social purpose of governance.”
He disclosed that the state government will deposit the sum of N5
million in the name of each of the four children of the late Fidelis in
the bank to ensure that they attend school to university level, while N5
million will be given to the widow to take care of them.
The funeral
service, which was followed by internment at the family compound, was
attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, including the chairman
of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and members of the
Nigeria Union of Journalists, led by the Edo Council chairman, Comrade
Friday Obanor.
