Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research & Documentation, Oronto Douglas, is dead. He died this morning after years of battling colon cancer in both local and foreign hospitals.

Born in 1966, Douglas made a name as a fearless environmental and human rights lawyer and activist before venturing into politics. He hailed from Jonathan’s home state, Bayelsa, and was also an author.

Douglas received degrees in law from the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and De Montford, Leicester, England.

He was once deputy director of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria, and later became the Commissioner for Information, Culture, Tourism and Strategy for Bayelsa State in Nigeria.

Shocked friends have been mourning Douglas on his Facebook wall. One of them, Iheoma Obibi, wrote: “Death came calling and took away our friend and brother Oronto Natei Douglas (Oronto Douglas) 1966 - 2015 this morning. The cancer he had been battling for the last three years eventually killed him. Lord grant his wife and children the energy to bear this loss. I am in shock.”

Another, Uche Igwe, wrote: “The news about the demise of Oronto Douglas has thrown me into anguish. He was a very intelligent man and fiery activist. May his soul rest in peace and may God give his family the strength to bear this untimely loss. My condolences to President Goodluck Jonathan and all those who worked with him. What a great loss!”

On his part, Iyobosa Uwugiaren wrote: “Just lost a very good friend. He was a great man. Oronto Douglas.”

•Photo shows late Oronto Douglas.