The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has expressed deep sorrow and profound regret over the sudden demise of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, describing his passing as a monumental loss to the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta at large.
The Council, in a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Maobuye Nangi Obu, said the news of Senator Ewhrudjakpo’s passing came as a rude shock, plunging the Ijaw youth and stakeholders across the region into grief and disbelief.
According to the statement, Senator Ewhrudjakpo was a quintessential Ijaw man who exemplified courage, resilience, tenacity, and uncommon grit, even in the face of daunting challenges.
It noted that throughout his public service, he remained steadfast, principled, and deeply committed to the cause of justice, equity, and the overall development of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta.
The IYC further described the late Deputy Governor as a man of uncommon wisdom, extraordinary oratory prowess, and intellectual depth, whose contributions to governance, political discourse, and nation-building would be remembered for generations.
It added that his humility, accessibility, and dedication to public service endeared him to people across political, ethnic, and generational divides.
The Council further noted that Bayelsa State, the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta, and indeed Nigeria have lost a rare leader whose experience, vision, and voice played a critical role in shaping progressive governance and advancing the interests of his people.
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While mourning his untimely departure, the IYC expressed support for calls for a proper autopsy to be conducted to ascertain the true cause of death, stressing that this would help put to rest speculations and ensure clarity and closure for the family and the public.
The Council offered its heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, especially his wife and children, the Government and people of Bayelsa State, former Governor and Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, political associates, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by the late Deputy Governor.
The statement prayed for the peaceful repose of Senator Ewhrudjakpo’s soul and for God to grant strength and comfort to all who are directly affected by the irreparable loss.