By Abbanobi-Eku Onyekachi
Former Senate Presidents David Mark and Ahmad Lawan, Deputy Senate President Barau Jubrin, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and the former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani have mourned the demise of Senator Buka Abba Ibrahim, according to press statements from the senators media offices on Monday.
Bukar Abba Ibrahim, according to reports, died in Saudi Arabia after a prolonged illness on Sunday at the age of 75. He was first elected governor of Yobe State in 1992, and later represented Yobe East Senatorial District for 12 years (2007 to 2019) at the Senate.
Describing the demise of the former Yobe State governor, who later became a senator, as a huge loss to the nation, Mark said: “Senator Ibrahim was a true democrat who promoted participatory democracy especially during his stint as governor of Yobe State and as Yobe East Senator from 2007 to 2019. He served as the first civilian governor of Yobe State and also served as Chairman and Member of several Committees in the Senate.
“His leadership impacted positively on Yobe State in many spheres including educational and infrastructural development. His introduction of Free Education Programme in Yobe State back in 2004 provided a platform for many indigents to acquire free education from primary to secondary school levels in the state,” even as he extended his condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the government and people of Yobe State, and all Nigerians.”
Also reacting to the news of his death was Ex Senate Senator President Ahmad Lawan, who described the deceased as a dedicated politician and public servant who recorded significant achievements as Governor.
He said: “I received the shocking news of the death of former Governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, with a heavy heart. During his tenure as Governor from 1999 to 2007, Yobe State witnessed significant progress in various sectors, including education, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture. He introduced a free education program in Yobe State in 2004, which provided free education to primary and secondary school students in the state. This program helped to increase school enrollment and reduce the illiteracy rate in the state.
Similarly, Deputy President Barau I. Jibrin also commiserated with the government and the entire people of Yobe State over the death of the first elected governor of the state, Bukar Abba Ibrahim.
While praying to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and admit him to Jannatul Firdausi and urging all those he left behind to take solace in the fact that he lived a righteous life dedicated to the service of Allah and humanity, he said: “Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim dedicated his life to the service of Allah, humanity, the state and the country as a whole. As a governor, he worked for the transformation of Yobe State and as a senator, he contributed immensely to lawmaking and other parliamentary activities throughout his 12 years in the Upper Chamber.”
While also mourning the former senator, the Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing the Abia North in the Senate has this to say: “I mourn the passing of the former Governor of Yobe state, Senator Buka Abba Ibrahim. He was a compassionate and selfless leader, who played remarkable roles in the development of Yobe state. He will be surely missed.
Joined in the condolence, was the former governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnani who describe the death of the first governor of Yobe State as a loss to the political class, adding that the death of Ibrahim variously regarded as the father of Yobe state has created a huge vacuum in the polity.
Nnamani and Ibrahim both served as State governors in 1999 and also as Senators of the federal republic in 2007.
According to Nnmani, “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing on of our former colleague, Senator Ibrahim of Yobe State. The news came as a shock to me, and I can only imagine the profound pain and loss experienced by the immediate family.
Reminiscing on his relationship with Ibrahim, Nnamani stated this: “As a colleague, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand Senator Ibrahim’s tremendous dedication and tireless efforts to bring positive changes to his constituents. In the Senate, he demonstrated patriotism and ideals of nationhood in his contributions to motions and bills of national significance,” adding that his passion for social justice, economic development, and equal opportunities inspired all those who had the chance to work with him.
