President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, on Thursday, led other senior government functionaries to the Abuja home of his Special Adviser on Research and Documentation, Oronto Douglas, who passed on earlier in the day.
Jonathan eulogised Douglas, saying he had not seen a more brilliant, passionate and dedicated worker like the activist.
He said even when Douglas, 49, had been told by doctors that he would die in three weeks, he still saw in him a strong will and passion to continue to serve his fatherland.
“It’s quite a sad moment. I and Douglas are from the same local government in Bayelsa State. I knew him, when I was doing my Ph.D. research work when he was an environmental activist. Then, I was doing some aspects of the ecology of the Niger Delta and my supervisor then, one Canadian, Prof. Powell, knew him and we met in his house.
“But when I came into politics, as the deputy governor, he was the commissioner for information. Then, we became very close. He came with me, as my adviser on research, documentation and strategy when I was Vice-President; a post he held until this morning.
“He was a very dedicated young man. Even though doctors had told him, in America, that he was going to die, in three weeks, he was still very passionate about his work. I only pray that God should provide for the family and pray that his soul rests in peace,” Jonathan said.
In a condolence message, President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, said:
“I received the news of the death of your long-standing and key aide, Oronto Douglas with sadness.
“I appreciate how close he had worked with you and considers him a young and dynamic individual, who still had a lot to offer our country as we build on our democracy.
“I urge you, Mr. President, to take heart and to convey my condolences to his immediate family, as we pray for the repose of his humble soul.”
Sambo said the country had lost a great patriot and a man of integrity.
“It is a very sad day for us. We have lost a very good friend, a brother and a patriotic Nigerian. He was a person of integrity, a patriot and we pray to Almighty God that his soul shall rest in peace. We pray that the family he left behind will have the fortitude to bear this great loss. Nigeria has lost a very good man, a person that has contributed positively to the development of this country,” Sambo said.
Some of the earliest callers at Douglas’ house were former Bayelsa State, Mr. Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, who described him as someone who never slacked in any assignments he was given.
Said he: “We have been praying and trusting God for miracle. There are a lot of things we did behind the scenes together to strengthen this government. When he served as Commissioner for Information in my government, he was always meticulous and turned in his assignments on time.”
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, said Douglas was a great thinker that would be sorely missed.
He said: “He was very cerebral and respected in the international community. He was a great thinker; an environmental rights activist.”
Others sympathisers at Douglas’ residence were the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Ima Niboro, famous writer, Ike Okonta, Sen. Nenadi Usman, Executive Secretary, National Christian Pilgrims Board, Kennedy Opara, who prayed for the family.
His younger brother, Otonye Douglas, said the family would meet in Bayelsa, as tradition demanded and draw up burial programmes.
Douglas is survived by his wife and two sons.
In a statement in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria National Summit Group (NNSG), Mr. Tony Uranta said: “Words failed me. We interacted yesterday.”
Uranta who is also the Secretary, General of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), said: “Douglas was a great man and built a bridge between government and the people.
“He invested greatly in human development. He believed in education for all. It’s a pity he’s gone after battling, for five years, with cancer of the colon.”
The President of Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said that Douglas would be remembered for his passionate commitment to issues of justice, democracy and the environment, in a short life that now appeared like he had been around for more than a century.
“Even when he moved from social activism to the political plane, he did not abandon those values which marked him out as a democratic icon.
“What is mortal of Oronto Douglas would be interred, but his good deeds will be remembered forever for the values he carried, throughout his 49 years on earth.
“He will be sorely missed for his doggedness, eloquence, sound clarity of thoughts on all issues that matter for a good society.
“Our condolences go to his family, colleagues, friends and President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he served in health and ill-health,” Okei-Odumakin said.
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