THE governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the March 2023 governorship elections and former Minister of Education, Kenneth Gbagi has died.
His death was confirmed on Saturday in a statement by his family by his eldest son, Emuoboh Gbagi.
The statement reads in part, “It is with profound sadness but gratitude to God that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, husband, and brother Olorogun Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, former minister of education, departed this life on the 4th of May 2024 at the age of 62.
“We take comfort in the fond memories of his life, his achievements, and the impact he made on the lives of countless individuals and communities.”
The former minister of education was born in September 1961 in Delta State, south-south Nigeria.
He attended Bishop Johnson Memory Primary School, Sapele. At 14, he left for Kosofe Secondary School, Mile 12 in Lagos.
After his secondary education, he worked with a Foreign Service before travelling abroad to further his education. While in Hong Kong, he shot a movie titled The Birth of Hong Kong in 1993. He used the proceeds from the movie to further his education.
He studied political science at the Sans Thomas University and went on to study criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology.
After his studies, Gbagi returned to Nigeria for his mandatory one year National Youth Service Corp where he served with the Nigeria Police College Ikeja. During his service year, he taught criminology.
He later proceeded to the University of Lagos to study Law.
Gbagi clinched the SDP governorship ticket in the last election in Delta State. He however lost to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Prior to that, he served as the Minister of State for Education under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
