The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has commended the Nigerian Senate for recognising the heroic acts of a petrol tanker driver, Mr. Ejito Otarigho, who at great risk to his life, drove a burning petroleum product tanker out of danger zone, in its plenary session on Tuesday, 13th of June, 2023.
In a press statement jointly signed by CASER’s Chairman, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga and its Executive Director, Frank Tietie, Esq., CASER said, “The Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), on behalf of many well-meaning Nigerians hereby expresses gratitude to the Nigerian Senate for recognising and commending, during its plenary session on Tuesday 14th June 2022, the heroic act of Ejiro Otarigho.
“Otarigho, the burning tanker driver who prevented the death of over 10,000 lives and saved property worth billions of Naira, in Agbarho, near Warri, Delta State, as he drove a fully loaded petrol tanker that caught fire in a densely populated area and removed it to the riverside to avoid disaster.
“The down-to-earth character of the Nigerian Senate in recognizing such a patriotic yet risky act of selflessness by an ordinary Nigerian in the faraway town of Agbarho, near Warri in Delta State, highly distinguishes the Nigerian Senate as a classical example of a parliament that is in touch with its constituents.
“Therefore, further gratitude is expressed to His Excellency, the Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who moved the motion that Mr Ejiro Otarigho should not just be recognised and honoured by the Nigerian Senate but that he be recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari for a national award. The Deputy Senate President, in whose senatorial district the tragedy was averted, was spared much sorrow along with his colleagues- senators, Distinguished Senators James Manager and Peter Nwaoboshi from Delta State and indeed all other Nigerians who are grateful to God that the worst did not happen.
“What the Nigerian Senate has done in recognizing and commending this act of heroism would go down in history as a major turning point in the recognition of individual heroic acts which would subsequently inspire young people across Nigeria and Africa to carry out acts of patriotism and selflessness whenever they have such opportunities”.
Concluding, the statement said, “On our own part at CASER, we immediately opened a 30-day Bravery Fund to reward Mr. Otarigho whose four children and pregnant wife depended on the burnt tanker for livelihood and in the last four days, we have raised nearly N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) for him. This we have done to add value beyond mere words to the recent countless expressions of appreciation to Mr Otarigho”.
