The Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike has honoured the late Joseph Blankson who drowned after saving 13 lives from a boat mishap.
Governor Wike while commiserating with the family over his unfortunate death, pledged full support to the family, and to prove this, he ordered the immediate opening of an education endowment fund for the children.
The late Joseph Blankson made the news when he was reported to have lost his own life while saving others in a boat mishap.
According to a CNN report, Blankson by himself rescued 13 persons out of a river when the boat he was in with other capsized. Giving that he could swim, he immediately jumped in to rescue those that had fallen overboard putting their life before his.
Blankson who could have ended his rescue mission after rescuing the 13th person, could not help knowing that there were still more people in the river holding on to dear life. He jumped in again for more rescue but got exhausted as he went in and never came back up again. He tragically drowned while trying to pull out one more rescue from the river.
Since CNN reported his heroic rescues and eventual death, tributes have been pouring in and he is being called a hero.
The Governor of Rivers State has also recognized his effort, and have promised that the children and wife of Late Joseph Blankson would be taken care of by his Government.
Wike while receiving the family of Late Blankson at the Government House, called the late Blankson a hero, and gave immediate employment to the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Mercy Blankson.
She is a graduate of microbiology, as the Governor advised her to put the money in a scheme that will best benefit the children and guarantee their future.
The governor further directed the Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Council, Hon. Tony Philmoore (PhD) to collect Mercy Blankson’s credentials to perfect the employment offered to her by the government. Governor Wike also donated to the burial of late Joseph Blankson
While appreciating the kind gesture of the Governor, the elder brother of Joseph Blankson, Mr. Ikronibo Anthony Blankson, thanked the governor, the Local Government Chairman of Degema, for their supports and funds given to the family and prayed for God’s blessings in his life.