BY AHMED AKANBI (Abuja) and Olu Samuel (Lokoja)
The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has mourned former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, describing him as a remarkable Nigerian who believed in the unity and progress of the country.
This was even as the ex-governor’s family has commended the Kogi State Government for its support and solidarity with the family following the death of the former governor.
Idris, popularly known as Ibro, who died at the weekend, governed Kogi under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from 2003 to 2012.
In a condolence statement on Tuesday, the NSF Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, said the Forum commiserates with the government and people of Kogi State, the Igala people, his family and political associates over the loss.
The Forum said Idris’ death is not only a loss to Kogi, but to the entire nation, which benefited from his years of service, leadership and commitment to public life.
It noted that before joining partisan politics in 2003, Idris had built a successful business career spanning over three decades, establishing Ibro Trading Company with interests in furniture manufacturing, construction, hospitality and property.
According to the Forum, his entrepreneurial journey started in the 1970s with a furniture factory in Sokoto and Ibro Hotel, making him an employer of labour, philanthropist and community builder.
As governor, it said, Idris devoted almost nine years to public service and became Kogi’s longest-serving governor, with interventions in infrastructure, water, education, healthcare and roads, and remained influential in the PDP and national politics after office.
”Igala has lost a patriot; Kogi has lost an elder statesman; and Nigeria has lost a believer in the Nigerian project,” the Forum stated.
It prayed Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and grant his family and the people of Kogi State fortitude to bear the loss.
While appreciating the Kogi State government for its
involvement in the burial plans, the family also pledged its full cooperation with the State Government as preparations continue for the burial of the former Governor, who died on Sunday in London at 77.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the state information commissioner, Kingsley Femi Fanwo stated that the head of the Family, Alhaji Haruna Idris, stated this when he received members of the Burial Committee constituted by the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo.
Alhaji Haruna expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo and the State Government for the responsibility and respect shown to the late former Governor, particularly the decision of the government to take full responsibility for his burial.
He said the family was deeply grateful for the support extended to it at a difficult moment, assuring the Burial Committee of the family’s readiness to work closely with the government to ensure a befitting burial for the former Governor.
Addressing the family, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Burial Committee, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, described the death of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris as a colossal loss to Kogi State, describing the late former Governor as a leader who was widely respected and loved.
“It is a huge loss to the entire State. We have lost a colossus and a leader who was loved and respected by all. As a Government, we will give him a befitting State burial,” the Deputy Governor said.
The Deputy Governor assured the family that the State Government would work with it to ensure that all necessary arrangements were made for a dignified and befitting burial in honour of the late former Governor.
Following the formal interaction, members of the Burial Committee and representatives of the late Alhaji Ibrahim Idris’ family held a closed-door meeting during which issues relating to the family and arrangements for the burial were discussed.
Members of the Burial Committee who accompanied the Deputy Governor included the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, PhD; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ali Bello; Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo; Commissioner for Transportation, Victor Atuluku; Director General of Protocol, Kogi State Government, Mallam Suleiman Ibrahim; Special Adviser to the Governor, Prince Bashir Abubakar Audu; and other senior government officials.