As Joe Blankson, the young father of two, who died while rescuing his fellow passengers from drowning when the boat they were traveling in capsized, is laid to rest today, encomiums have been pouring in, eulogizing his courage and sacrifice. 

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The incident that claimed Blankson’s young life happened on July 28, 2018, along the waterway to Bakana in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. 

Reacting to the incident, governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe described the deceased as “a genuine hero”. Abe said this when he paid a condolence visit to the Blankson’s family in Bakana. 

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dawari George said the late Joe Blankson was “a courageous patriot whose passion for humanity paid the dear price with his life to save others”.  

The Rivers State Government through the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah expressed pride in the love the late Blankson showed to mankind and the calamity he saved by giving up his precious life. 

The government noted that “in a nation in search of heroes,Mr. Blankson’sexemplary feat is a huge lessonfor the living because the worth of any life is measured by deeds and not  by how long,” praying God to accept his soul in peace.