Chief (Mrs.) Shimite Winifred Bello, Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Trade and Export, has tragically passed away. Her death, which has shocked many in the state and beyond, is reportedly linked to domestic violence.
Although full details of the incident remain unclear at the time of this report, the news was confirmed on Monday, April 21, 2025, by Harrison Gwamnishu, a well-known human rights activist and aide to the Delta State Governor, via a Facebook post.
Another Delta-based human rights advocate, Comrade Victor Ojie, popularly known as Wong Box, also confirmed the sad news, writing:
“Marriage is not by force oh. It’s better to lose your marriage than to lose your life oh.”
In a separate post, Hon. Oge Okonkwo alleged that Shimite’s husband has been arrested in connection with her death. Her personal aide, Tameta Sunday, echoed the accusation, saying:
“It’s very difficult to type RIP boss, knowing fully well an ugly soul called pastor with a gentle look as a husband cut all the positive plans we had together.”
Chief Shimite Bello was a respected trade and economic development expert, widely known for her contributions to policy and enterprise development in Delta State and across Nigeria.
She served as the Coordinator of the Delta State UNIDO Centre and was the state’s focal person for the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme. She also produced and presented African Pot, a television documentary celebrating African cuisine, culture, and tourism.
Shimite was a member of the USAID/NEXTT Steering Committee for the Lakaji Trade Corridor and sat on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Economic Change in Africa (FESECA). She also contributed regularly to national media outlets, including Daily Trust and Leadership, on topics related to travel and tourism.
Her death has sparked widespread grief and renewed conversations around domestic abuse. Many have taken to social media to urge women in toxic or violent marriages to seek safety and support.
