By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE staff and workers of popular Edo State born Transport Mogul, Abel Omoruyi (JP) who is the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Iyare Motors have described his death as shock and the loss of an employer who was generous to his workers.

    He reportedly died on Friday for yet to be disclosed sources.

    Speaking to Vanguard on Sunday, one of the senior drivers Dickson Izevbizua who is the head driver of the Mile 2 Lagos park of the company and the second most driver in the company said he is yet to recover from the shock of the death.

   According to him, “The man was a very good man, since I heard it, I feel sick and as I am talking to you, I have not been able to get up from my bed because of the shock. It is the person who takes care of you that you can call your father, Iyare has been my father from the beginning to the end, what he did for me, I can’t quantify it. That is how he has also been good to every other staff member.

   “The way I am feeling now, I didn’t feel this way when I lost my biological father in 1977, he has been our father. He took me like his own biological son and that is how he took all of us working for him. There was a time I wanted to leave to work for my brother in his transport company, my brother refused; he said I should remain with Iyare because he has been good to me, that is how good he was; he changes our vehicles for us at the right time and opened ways for us to make money for ourselves. I have been working for him for over 30 years.”

   On his part, the Edo State  governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in a statement lauded the late Omoruyi’s contributions to the growth of the transport sector in the state and country.

   He said, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of an illustrious Edo son, business mogul and Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of Iyare Motors, Abel Omoruyi (JP).

    “Omoruyi, a thoroughbred businessman and philanthropist extraordinaire, was a rallying point for the advancement of the transport sector in Edo State and Nigeria, contributing effectively to the growth and development of his immediate community, state, and country.

   “He was a visionary, beacon of hope, and a rare breed of leader who epitomized the very best of the human spirit. His unwavering commitment to excellence, doggedness, and penchant for innovation will remain a shining example for generations to come. The late Omoruyi will be sorely missed.”

   Obaseki added, “On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, I express my sincere condolences to the Omoruyi family and his associates and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”