President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of former Kogi State governor Ibrahim Idris, describing his passing as a painful loss to Nigeria. 

Mr Idris, who served as the governor of Kogi State from 2003 to 2011, died in the United Kingdom on Sunday at the age of 77. 

In a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Monday, Mr Tinubu praised Mr Idris as a committed individual, who dedicated his life to public services.

“Alhaji Ibrahim Idris was a committed public servant whose years in office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental history of Kogi State,” the president said. 

Speaking further, Mr Tinubu urged Nigerians to remember the deceased’s contribution to growth in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole. 

“His passing is a painful loss to his family, Kogi State and Nigeria. At this difficult moment, we must remember and honour his contributions to the growth of his state and our nation.

“I extend my deepest condolences to his family and the people of Kogi State. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannah Firdaus,” Mr Tinubu stated. 

Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, on Sunday, declared a three-day statewide holiday to mourn Mr Idris, while ordering flags to be flown at half-mast across the state. 

“Governor Ododo has declared a three-day period of mourning in honour of the former Governor and directed that the national flag and the Kogi State flag be flown at half-mast across government offices and other designated public institutions in the State throughout the mourning period.

“Governor Ododo had earlier visited the residence of the late Alh. Ibrahim Idris where he commiserated with members of the Idris family,” the statement government said in a statement.