Chief James Onanefe Ibori has described the passing of Evangelist Simeon Ozioma Ebonka, the pioneer Deputy Governor of Delta State, as a great loss to the state and the nation. He said that Ebonka, who served when Olorogun Felix Ibru was Governor on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), was among those who laid the foundation for the swift infrastructural development of Delta state.

Evangelist Ebonka and Olorogun Ibru laid the foundation for the swift development that Delta State has witnessed, though they came into office in a new state with a new capital, and one of the real problems they had to grapple with was the sharing of assets belonging to Delta and Edo States.

Ibori gave thanks to God that Ebonka’s labours were not in vain.

The former Deputy Governor lost his wife, Mrs Ngozi Ebonka, in 2014.

Chief Ibori has condoled the Governor of Delta state, His Excellency Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa and the good people of Delta state on the death of this statesman. He also prayed that God will give Evangelist Ebonka’s children the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.