By Nitoni Osain, Yenagoa
It was a solemn and mournful moment as friends and associates gathered in Yenogoa, the Bayelsa Capital on the 25 – 26th of October 2024, to grief and clelebrate the endearing legacies of Engr. Charles Dorgu during a Service of Songs organised in his honour.
Engr. Charles Dorgu during a Service of Songs organised in his honour.
Dorgu, an industrious and illustrious Ijaw son with an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s development died on September 30, 2024 in Texas, the United States of America after a brief illness.
Our Correspondent gathered that Dorgu, was a dedicated and strong voice of the Ijaw people, which stood out as he was in the vanguard of promoting peace, unity, of Ijaw people.
Till his death, he was a former Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, (FCDA), and as a Civil Engineer, he was instrumental in catalysing infrastructural development in Nigeria as a distinguished Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE).
He was also a member of the prestigious Institute of Civil Engineers, United Kingdom, UK, and the American Society of Civil Engineers where he dedicated his expertise to advancing Nigeria’s development.
In their separate tributes during the Service of Songs, Alhaji Hassan Rabiu, a one time Chief of Staff to the deceased “expressed deep pain and shock over the demise of Dorgu.
They added that his departure has left a palpable void amongst his friends and business associates as his legacy and great achievements will remain evergreen in the hearts of all.
On his part, Engr. Jator Abido, CEO Yatov Consult International Ltd and National Coordinator Niger Delta Youth Council Worldwide described Engr Dorgu “as a quintessential Engineer.
“Administrator that the ijaw Nation and Nigeria at large will dearly miss because of his intellectual capacity, wealth of experience, wisdom, integrity and an avid sense of patriotism”.
Similarly, Hon. Beke Apere submitted tearfully, that “the Ijaws cannot forget the ingenuity of Sir Dorgu’s lifestyle, selfless service and philanthropic gestures.
He stated that he lived a life worthy of emulation and urged Nigerians, especially the younger generation to sustain the values he stood for.
Johnson Doubeni Esq., a legal luminary and one of the beneficiaries of Engr. Charles Dorgu’s meritorious service to the Nigerian State, recounted his experience with the late icon.
“A man who understood that our obligations are not limited to preserving
the past but also to shaping the future since we can’t just look to the past; we must look to the future”.
As Chairman of the Rivers Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and through his various political
roles, including as State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State.
Sir (Engr.) Charles Dorgu, championed the cause of the Ijaw nation with unwavering commitment. His leadership in political and professional spheres was a beacon of integrity-based guidance for all Nigerians.
The Late Engr. (Sir) Charles Dorgu was born on November 15, 1944 and answered the Lord’s call on September 30, 2024 in Texas, USA, according to his family.
He will be buried on October 26, 2024 in Texas, USA while the Traditional rites will be done in Bayelsa, Nigeria on the 16 of November, 2024 according to the traditions of his ancestors in Agbere, Bayelsa.
He is survived by a wife, children, grand children brothers and sisters.
As a sign of their commitment and loyalty to a worthy boss, the due of Alhaji Rabiu Hassan, Engr. Jator Abido as well as other friends made arrangements for well wishers and mourners to view the burial proceedings in the US through live streaming.