Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Edgar Okpozo, eldest son of the late Senator Francis Okpozo, who died in the early hours of Tuesday, has lamented the inability of doctors to diagnose ailments that led to death of his father.
Edgar who spoke to journalists at the Benin City residence of the late former Deputy Speaker of defunct Bendel State House of Assembly, described the doctors’ failure as unfortunate.
Senator Okpozo, aged 81, died at a private hospital in Benin, capital of Edo State, where he was transferred to from the University of Benin Teaching (UBTH) where he was first admitted for over a month.
A family source informed journalists that the deceased was taken away from UBTH to the private clinic for preparation for onward transfer to a better medical facility abroad.
Edgar said his late father was taken to the UBTH about five weeks ago when he began complaining of not feeling too well.
He said the doctors could not diagnose the ailment his late dad was suffering from.
“It was a brief illness, something that started five weeks ago. He complained of not feeling too well and we took him to the hospital.
“It was bad that treatment did not help matters. They didn’t discover what was wrong with him. Maybe it was lack of good tools. They were treating but unfortunately we lost him,” he said.
Edgar who described his late father as a “friend,” said they “talked a lot about politics and family. His death is a big loss not only to the family but to the entire Niger Delta. He was there to serve different from what we have today. It is bad that people of his generation are going at a time we need their experience.”
Late Okpozo, a former Deputy Speaker of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly, presided over the sitting that established Bendel State University, Ekpoma (now Ambrose Alli University) and Bendel State Polytechni, Ozoro (now Delta State Polytechnic) after the then Speaker (Benson Alegbe), refused to preside over plenary.
He was later elected Senator of the Federal Republic on the platform of the Social Democratic Party and was Chairman, Elders Council of Delta State chapter of the All Progressive Congress.
Widow of the deceased, Mrs. Anna Okpozo, who could not hold back the tears, said in her lamentation, “I have joined the widows club.”
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.