Slain corps member, Okonta a patriot-DG

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, has described the corps member who was killed in Rivers State during the state’s re-run election last month, Okonta Dumebi Samuel, as a patriot who died while contributing to ensure a better Nigeria.
A statement signed by the Director, Public Relations Department of the scheme, Mrs Abosede Aderigbibe, said  the director-general spoke at the burial of  the late Okonta in Delta State over the weekend.
Brig. Olawumi who was represented by the Director of Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, Mrs. Rhoda Kaka Kwaki, said Okonta believed in Nigeria, served Nigeria and died for Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the scheme’s assurance to stand by the bereaved family and commiserated with all serving corps members over the loss of their colleague. He also urged them not to allow the incident deter them from their belief and service to Nigeria.
In a message, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, described Okonta as a martyr and one of the nation’s heroes of democracy.
Yakubu, who was represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Delta State, Baritor Kpagih, assured that the commission would work in consultation with the bereaved family to immortalize him. Okonta Dumebi Samuel was murdered by unknown gunmen during the recent re-run election in Rivers State was laid to rest in his hometown, Illah in Delta State.