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Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of delta State and the former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori have extended condolences to the family of former Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Pastor Power Ziakede Aginighan, who died in an auto crash alongside his son, Tammy, and police orderly at Akinima, in Ahoada West Local Government Area along the East West Road.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okowa, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, in a statement on Sunday, in Asaba, said Governor Okowa received with sadness news of the death of the politician.

The Governor , who also extended condolences to the Ijaw nation, late Aghinighna’s party, party, All Progressives Congress, (APC) over the loss said:

“I was shocked to hear of the passing of Pastor P.Z. Aginighan. He will be missed by thousands of people whom he had assisted in one way or the other, adding, “His role in politics and the development of his community, State and nation will remain an inspiration for other political actors.”

According to the statement, “Governor Okowa recalls that Pastor P.Z. Aginighan was a vocal voice and a caring leader whose love for humanity was worth emulating”. He affirms that Aginighan, served his country and humanity with all his God-given strength and talent, noting that until his demise, he remained a worthy leader in the Niger Delta Region.

“We have lost a great man whose contributions to the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta can best be described as legendary, inspirational and worthy of emulation and will be remembered for redefining the place of service and patriotism in Nigeria’s development.

“He will be sorely missed by all and sundry whose lives he affected in many ways. I therefore urge all who mourn the demise of the late Pastor P.Z. Aginighan and his son, Tammy, and police orderly to take solace in the fact that his was a life of integrity and great accomplishments.

“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta State, I mourn with the family of the late Pastor P.Z. Aginighan, the Ijaw Nation, and the APC on the demise of the erudite politician,” the Governor said.

He prayed God to grant his immediate family the strength to bear the irreparable loss, pointing out that his achievements in different areas of national life will always be remembered.
Also in a related development, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Delta state has described the death of Pastor Power Ziakede Aginighan in a motor accident that also claimed the life of his son, Tami, as a huge loss to the entire people of the South-South and the country in general.

Chief Ibori said: “Rest in Peace, our very beloved PZ Aghinighan. You live on in the hearts of all that experienced your erudition, compassion and dedication to God and the Niger Delta. May Tami’s young soul also find rest in the Lord.”

In a press statement issued by Tony Eluemunor, his Media Assistant Chief Ibori said: “PZ”, as Aghinighan was popularly called, “dedicated his life to the betterment of his beloved Niger Delta area and its cause”.

According to the statement, “Aghanighan, born on January 9, 1959 at Ezebri, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, PZ, served the Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission, OMPADEC, as Assistant Director of Finance and Accounts from 1993 to 2001. Absorbed by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, he rose to become Deputy Director, Finance and Supply in March 2003. He was appointed Ag. Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NDDC on the 28th of May 2007. His last position was that of Acting-Managing Director of NDDC.

“Aghanighan, a former student activist and leader, Aginighan also paid his dues in the struggle for better living conditions for the Niger Delta people. He served in various leadership positions in various organizations committed to improving the quality of life of the peoples of Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.

“Remarkably, during my administration of Delta state, he was the Moderator at the cease fire peace conference by the Warri Ijaw/Itsekiri Grassroots Peace Front held at Warri Club under the auspices of the Joint Military Task Force in June 2004 which marked the formal end of the seven years of hostilities between the Ijaw and the Itsekiri of Warri. He initiated the peace process that led to the end of the bloody conflict between Ogodobri in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State and Ekeremor in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in August 2003 by affecting the return of captives of war from Ogodobri to Ekeremor.
So, he worked closely with me and I found him a trustworthy soldier in God’s Peace Army. He fought a good fight.

“May God grant his family the fortitude to bear this immense loss,” Chief Ibori stated