Florence Uwaeme
Port Harcourt based foremost NGO, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD, in conjunction with the Naleeba Naagbanton family of Bodo City in Gokana LGA of Rivers State, and the Patrick Naagbanton Memorial Platform has announced the funeral arrangements of the departed hero of Niger Delta and pro-democracy struggles, Comrade Patrick Barigbalo Naagbanton.
According to a statement by Styvn Obodoekwe, Program Director, CEHRDF, his funeral rites will begin on Thursday, 21 November 2019 with a symbolic tree-planting campaign in his hometown Bodo City
“This exercise is scheduled to start by 10 am in honour of Patrick’s commitment towards the protection of the environment, all through his lifetime.
“An Evening of Poetry and Tributes organized in his honour by the Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation at Visa Karena Hotel, Wonodi Street, off Olu Obasanjo road, GRA 111, Port Harcourt.
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“The event will be chaired/moderated by an American Professor of Political Science, environmentalist and researcher, Scott Pegg.
“Saturday, 23 November 2019, at 7:30 am: body leaves Ashes to Ashes Mortuary, BMH, Port Harcourt to Bodo City
“10 am: Burial ceremony at St Patrick’s Catholic Church Field, Bodo City. 12noon: Interment at his compound, Bodo City
Patrick B. Naagbanton, founder and pioneer coordinator of CEHRD, was a committed human and environmental rights defender, poet, author, humanist, Marxist, and a rare fearless investigative journalist and small arms researcher.
He lived a life of honesty, accountability, transparency, selflessness, commitment and extraordinary courage.
A reckless taxi driver knocked Patrick down on Friday, 13 September 2019 along the Rukpakurisi-Eliozu section of the East-West road of Port Harcourt.
He spent 9 days in coma in a private hospital in Port Harcourt and passed on, Saturday, 21 September 2019 at the age of 49.
Patrick was the only child of his mother. His aged mother, his wife Avary, 4 children, and numerous other relatives, friends and colleagues survive him.
Many environmental and human rights activists, social justice crusaders, researchers, community development activists and pro-democracy campaigners across Nigeria and beyond will storm Bodo City to pay Patrick deserving last respect.
May his giant and brave soul rest in perfect peace!
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