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
changeGbagi 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
changeGbagi was a philanthropist.[6] According to Isaiah Ogedegbe, Gbagi was noted for "his immense contribution to the development of his community".[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
changeAlso, Gbagi's remarkable impact in the legal arena has not gone unnoticed, with a tribute by Isaiah Ogedegbe 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
changeAccording 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] an allegation which his hotel management initially described as "a malicious conspiracy by some political detractors to bring Gbagi's character to disrepute".[13]
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.[14]
Personal life
changeGbagi was married to Hon. Justice Sybil Gbagi and had nine children.[1] His eldest son is Emuoboh Gbagi,[15] who served as the Special Adviser to former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Youth Development.[16]
Death and burial
changeGbagi died on 4 May 2024 at the age of 62, according to a BBC News Pidgin report.[17] 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".[18]
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".[19]
Gbagi was buried on 12 July 2024 in his community Oginibo in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.[8]
After his demise, Kenneth Gbagi was remembered by Isaiah Ogedegbe "as a very benevolent man, one who often put smiles on the faces of his people".[20]
Awards and recognition
changeGbagi was known around the world as a "multiple award winning achiever".[21] 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".[21]
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.[22]
Traditionally, the chieftaincy title of "Ojaurhoboreri" was also conferred on Chief Gbagi because of his love for the Urhobo people.[23]
Legacy
changeKenneth Gbagi's impact in the political arena was seen to have gone "beyond party politics".[24]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Ige, Olugbenga (5 July 2024). "Oborevwori, Peter Obi, others pay tribute to ex-minister Gbagi". The Punch Newspaper. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Apah, Sunday (10 July 2024). "Kenneth Gbagi's Burial Set For July 12". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Igbekoyi, Felix. "Former Education Minister, Gbagi, Dies At 62". Leadership Newspaper. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Amaize, Emma (3 May 2020). "Who really is Kenneth Gbagi?". Vanguard Newspaper. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 Oramadike, Vivian (5 May 2024). "Former Minister Kenneth Gbagi Dies At 62". ChannelsTV.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Brisibe, Perez (18 April 2020). "Covid- 19: Gbagi Foundation distributes palliatives to Deltans, shocks physically- challenged with deposits". Vanguard Newspaper. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Ogedegbe, Isaiah (12 July 2024). "Celebrating Chief Kenneth Gbagi As He Is Laid to Rest Today". NGGOSSIPS.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 Adurokiya, Ebenezer (12 July 2024). "Oborevwori, Omo-Agege, others storm Oginibo to bid ex-minister Gbagi farewell". Tribune Online. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Adebayo Mourns Gbagi". ThisDay Newspaper. 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Nigeria: Mass Deaths Following Burst Pipeline". AllAfrica.com. 17 July 2000. Retrieved 12 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. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Affe, Mudiaga (30 September 2020). "Police declare ex-minister wanted over assault". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Odunsi, Wale (19 July 2022). "Court fines Delta SDP guber candidate Kenneth Gbagi for stripping, torturing hotel staff". Daily Post Newspaper. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Oborevwori, Dafinone mourn as Gbagi dies at 62". The Guardian Newspaper. 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Falade, Olaotan (25 September 2019). "Okowa swears-in Emuoboh Gbagi as Special Adviser On Youth Development". TheNewsGuru.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Family comfam death of former education minister Kenneth Gbagi". BBC News Pidgin. 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Oborevwori mourns as Ex-Minister, Gbagi, dies at 62". Delta State Government. 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Apah, Sunday (15 May 2024). "Ughievwen Monarch Pays Condolence Visit to Late Kenneth Gbagi's Family". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Ogedegbe, Evelyn (14 July 2024). "Kenneth Gbagi: Isaiah Ogedegbe Pays Tribute". The Warri Times. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Late Chief Barr. Kenneth O. Gbagi, OON (September 22, 1961- May 4, 2024)". Peoples Daily Newspaper. 6 July 2024. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Dafe, Daniel (3 October 2022). "OON Award: SDP Congratulates Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi". Oasis Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Gbagi's Death: Egbo Condoles with Family, Hails His Achievements and Impact". Asaba Metro. 23 June 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ↑ Ogedegbe, Isaiah (19 July 2024). "The Kenneth Gbagi Biography". The Warri Times. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
This short article about a person or group of people can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.