By Ayomide Otitoju
Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, former Governor Yahaya Bello and other senior government officials have visited the Abuja residence of the late former governor of the state, Ibrahim Idris, to condole with his family.
The delegation included the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abdullahi Bello, and other top government officials.
They expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and prayed for the repose of Idris’ soul.
Idris died in the United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, at the age of 77. He governed Kogi State from 2003 to 2012.
Following his death, Ododo declared a three-day mourning period in his honour and directed that the national and Kogi State flags be flown at half-mast at government offices and other designated public institutions across the state.
The governor also announced that Idris would receive a state burial, with the Kogi State Government to bear the burial expenses and coordinate the necessary arrangements.
In a condolence letter to the Idris family, Ododo described the former governor’s death as a loss to Kogi State and Nigeria, noting his years of public service.
He said Idris’ administration recorded interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other sectors, contributing to the development of the state.
“His years in public office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental journey of Kogi State,” Ododo said.
The governor urged the family to draw strength from Idris’ service and the impact he made on the lives of others.
He also extended condolences to the family, friends and associates of the deceased and prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and give the family and people of Kogi State the strength to bear the loss.
Born in 1949 in Idah, Kogi State, Idris began his early education in Onitsha, Anambra State, before completing his primary education in Kano.
He later attended King’s Commercial College in Buguma, Rivers State, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Abuja.
Before entering politics, Idris was a businessman and founded Ibro Trading Company, with interests in construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality.
He was elected governor of Kogi State in 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and served his first term until 2008.
Following a legal challenge to the 2007 governorship election, he returned to office after winning the March 2008 re-run election.
He remained governor until January 2012, when he was succeeded by Captain Idris Wada.
Further details of the burial arrangements are expected to be announced by the Kogi State Government and the family.
