Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori have expressed sadness over the sudden death of Hon Dennis Omovie, a former member of the State House of Assembly.
Omovie, who is the Unuevworo (Traditional Prime Minister) of Ugboroke, reportedly died on Tuesday night at a hospital in Warri, after a brief illness.
Until his death, the four-time member of the Parliament was the Director-General, Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Agency.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Wednesday in Asaba, Okowa commiserated with the people of Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas and Ugboroke community in particular, over the demise of the grassroots politician and community leader.
According to the Governor, the deceased was a thoroughbred politician, who was very popular among his people, accounting for the reason he contested and won elections to represent them in the state assembly for four consecutive terms.
He said, “on behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and grassroots politician, Hon. Dennis Omovie, who passed on in Warri on Tuesday.
“The news of his passing was a terrible shock to me and the entire state. He was a gentleman-politician, and he distinguished himself in the service of his people and the state.
“As a member of the State Assembly, he chaired the Committees on Public Petition, Legal and Judicial Matters as well as Public Accounts, and he served diligently.
“My condolences go to the family, especially his wife, Justice Mabel Omovie of the State High Court, Asaba.”
Okowa prayed God to grant fortitude to those who mourn his demise and grant the deceased’s soul eternal rest.
In a similar vein, Oborevwori expressed shock over the sudden death of the former lawmaker.
The Speaker, who described the former lawmaker as a selfless leader and a pathfinder lamented that the Legislature has lost a legislative asset.
In a Press Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Dennis Otu, the Speaker expressed grief over the spate of deaths of ex-lawmakers of the Delta State House of Assembly, stressing that it was gradually depleting the resevoir of experienced ex-lawmakers in the State.
According to the Speaker, only recently, the House lost a former Speaker of the House , Rt. Hon. (Prince) Sam Obi to the cold hands of death and his Valedictory session in the Hallowed chamber of the House was attended by the late Hon Dennis Omovie who had played a glowing tribute to the late former speaker.
While commiserating with the family, friends and political associates of the late Honourable Omovie, he noted that the deceased, who represented Warri South Two State Constituency for sixteen years contributed immensely to the legislative process and procedures during his time in the House.
He added that the late former lawmaker also provided sustenance to many of his constituents through his empowerment programmes.
The Speaker prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed ex-lawmaker and urged those he left behind, particularly his wife, children and the extended family to whom he devoted time and resources, to sustain his legacies of service to God and humanity.