Yesterday, December 11, will remain one of my saddest days. I was already gearing up to be part of the screening of the ambassadorial nominees as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs when I received a call about the medical emergency involving His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. I spoke with his aides and the doctors, then left abruptly and came home to monitor the situation until my worst fears were confirmed.
I have been saddened and heartbroken since his death was confirmed. We have lost a most selfless, dedicated, honest and loyal public servant and politician. I have personally lost a dependable, loyal and principled mentee who was committed to the causes we pursue in public service — service to God and humanity, and to ourselves the least.
Dr. Ewhrudjakpor was clearly the best among my political mentees. A rare combination of competence, intellect, loyalty and selflessness.
He proved himself, especially at difficult times, as a politician of principle and conviction I had mentored him to be over the years. He exemplified the act of living a simple life with profound impact. Ewhrudjakpor was irreplaceable — formidable in intellect and learned, emotionally stable, mature and principled.
Since our paths crossed in the ’90s, I took him under my wings when he was a union activist and I, a legal practitioner. He drew inspiration from our interactions to pursue further education and was inspired to study Law after his first degree — which he took all the way to a Doctorate, even as a very busy man. When I became Attorney General, he was my P.A. When I was elected to the House of Representatives, he was my Senior Legislative Aide. When I became Governor, he served as Commissioner for Works for almost 8years, dedicating all his time and energy to executing landmark infrastructural achievements across the state, even during the crippling recession.
Then I nominated him to run for the Senate representing our Senatorial District, Bayelsa West, which he won. Later, I nominated him and the current Governor, who were then Senators. I pulled them out as Governor and Deputy Governorship candidates respectively. As Deputy Governor, Dr.Ewhrudjakpor remained dutiful and loyal.
He was steadfast, even to the point of almost losing his office. When he was made, unfortunately, to choose between his office and his loyalty, respect and gratitude to me, he chose the latter, and went through a lot for the principled choices he made during the almost six years he served dutifully without complaining. There is no one who did not feel the impact of his service—the open-door policy and life of service, exactly as I taught them, and without betrayal to me or anyone. He listened to wise counsel and advice, which I was always available to give.
No one is more affected by this sudden loss than I am, apart from his immediate family. It will be difficult to fill the void he has left in my heart, in the hearts of Bayelsans, of Nigerians, and of all humanity that encountered him. He followed strictly the creed I teach all my mentees: service to man is service to God, with to ourselves the least.
While we are devastated by this sudden and untimely loss, we must remain proud of his record of honest, dedicated, selfless, loyal and principled service to God and humanity to the very end. He will be sorely missed. In fact, I do not believe I can find any replacement for Dr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor.
I extend my condolences to his wife, with whom I have spoken, and to his children, whom I regard as mine — his son is even named after me. My condolences also go to his family with whom I am in constant touch, the Ofoni community and the Bayelsa West Senatorial District which he represented and served; to the Catholic Church to which he was a devout Catholic and a Knight, and to his numerous friends, associates and supporters; to the government and good people of Bayelsa state.
Since the sad event I have received a deluge of calls and visits indicative of the impact his life of service made.
The family will announce, in consultation with the government, the funeral arrangements. I implore all to find time to join the family in praying for the peaceful repose of the soul of this good man, and for the family and all of us to have the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
HSD.
