NNSG, CD mourn Oronto Douglas
The Nigeria National Summit Group (NNSG) and the Campaign for Democracy (CD) on Thursday mourned the death of Mr Oronto Douglas.
Douglas, a renowned environmental campaigner, social crusader and Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation died Thursday morning after a courageous battle with cancer for about 5 years.
He was 49 years old.
In a statement in Lagos, NNSG Executive Secretary, Mr Tony Uranta said: “words failed me. We interacted only yesterday”.
Uranta who is also the Secretary General of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) described the death as really sad news,
“Douglas was a great Man and built the bridge between Government and the people.
“He invested greatly in human Development, He believed in Education for All, it’s a Pity he Left so Soon after battling Colon Cancer.
Also in a statement in Lagos, CD President 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 mark 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 and friends and President Goodluck Jonathan whom he served in health and ill-health” Odumakin said.
Born in 1966, Douglas was also a former Deputy Director of Environmental Rights Acton (ERA), and was also former Commissioner for information, Culture, Tourism and Strategy for Bayelsa State.
