 |
| Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa |
Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed deep sadness on the demise of former commissioner in the state and renowned optometrist, Dr Ronald Eyime.
Eyime, a frontline politician, who hails from Utagba-Ogbe, in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, died in the early hours of Monday in a hospital in Abuja. He was 63.
The deceased was Commissioner for Science and Technology between 2007 and 2011.
He was President of Nigerian Optometric Association from 1990 to 1995, President, African Council of Optometry between 2000 and 2004 and executive member, International Optometric and Optical League (IOOL) from 1992 to 1994.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Monday in Asaba, Okowa commiserated with the people of Ndokwa West, Utagbe-Ogbe community in particular and Nigerian Optometric Association over the passing of the renowned optometrist.
He said that the departed Eyime was a respected professional, politician and administrator, who excelled as first Registrar/Chief Executive, Optometrists Registration Board of Nigeria between 1992 and 2005.
The governor described him as “thoroughbred professional” whose contributions to the society would be indelible.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and thoroughbred professional, Dr Ronald Eyime, who reportedly died in the early hours of Monday.
“The news of his death came to me as a shock and I send my heartfelt condolences to the family, the people of Ndokwa West and the Nigerian Optometric Association on the passing of the renowned statesman and top-notch optometrist.
“He was a gentleman-politician and an optometrist of international acclaim, who distinguished himself in the service of his people, in the private and public sectors.
“In acknowledgement of Dr Eyime’s enormous contributions in Optometry and the medical field, he was honoured in 2003 as the International Optometrist of the Year by World Council of Optometry (WCO).
“He was an active member of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta since inception and Member, Committee for the articulation of Anioma interest at the National Political Reform Conference,” he said.
Okowa prayed God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends he left to bear the loss.
