The Senate on Tuesday mourned a former governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris, who died in a London hospital on September 20 at 77.

Tributes followed a motion of urgent national importance raised by Isah Jibrin Echocho (APC-Kogi), who formally notified the Senate of the demise of the ex-governor.

Mr Jibrin said the deceased deserved to be honoured, given his achievements in business and politics.

He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, you know that we normally have one matter of urgent importance in a day. I wish to make a personal explanation concerning the demise of my former governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who administered Kogi for about nine years.

“Alhaji Ibrahim Idris was a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a platform on which both the deceased and I were, at different times, associated.

“Mr President, distinguished colleagues, it is important that the Senate pays tribute to this great Nigerian and former governor of Kogi State.”

He said that before joining politics, Mr Idris established himself as a successful businessman and industrialist, building an enterprise under the Ibro brand.

“Through the Ibro Trading Company, he developed diverse business interests spanning construction, furniture, manufacturing and hospitality.

“His entrepreneurial and industrial activities included the establishment of the Ibrahim Furniture Factory in Sokoto, described as the largest furniture factory in the old Sokoto State, as well as Ibro Hotel, described as the first three-star hotel in that region,” he said.

He stated that the death of Idris constitutes a significant loss to his immediate family, the people and government of Kogi State and the nation at large.

“We pray that Almighty Allah grants him forgiveness for his shortcomings and grants him Al-Jannah Firdaus,” Mr Jibrin said.

He urged the Senate to observe a minute silence in honour and memory of the decreased.

He further urged the Senate to send a delegation to his family in Abuja to convey condolences.

Aminu Tambuwal (ADC Sokoto) lauded the late Mr Idris for his contributions to Sokoto State, while Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo) described him as a man committed to the welfare of the people.

They commiserated with the people of Kogi State and the immediate family of Mr Idris.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi) and Abba Moro (PDP-Benue) also lauded the virtues of Mr Idris and prayed God to repose his soul.

The Senate, thereafter, observed a minute silence in honour of the late former governor.

(NAN)