Delta State indigenes, among them, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Monday Igbuya, his deputy, Mr Friday Osanebi, have condoled with the family of the late Chief Felix Ibru who passed on this week at the age of 80.

In their separate statements, they described Felix Ibru’s death as a great loss to the people of Delta State in particular and Nigerians in general.

They described the late Ibru as “a father, a patriot and a political icon who laid the foundation of a state we can truly call our own, as first civilian governor of Delta State.”

They also condoled with the President-General of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Chief Gabriel Ofotokun and the Urhobo nation, noting that Ibru’s death came at a time when his fatherly advice, contribution and ideas were most needed, adding that his very rich ideas would have come handy in the present socio-economic and political uncertainties in the country.

Others who joined in condoling with the family and the Urhobo nation include the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, the state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Joyce Overah, the Commissioner in-charge of Asaba International Airport, Mr Austin Ayemedejor, former Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, Mr Godwin Atose, immediate past Commissioner for Transport, Ben Ibakpa, and current Chairman of Sapele LGA, Ejaife Odebala.

Sam Amuka, who spoke through a member of his family in Sapele, Mr Ben Tobi, said: “We, however, take solace in the fact that the late icon’s sojourn on earth remains a huge blessing to humanity,” adding that “Ibru was among the very special people who made significant and indelible contributions to the country and humanity.”

Also, elder statesman, Chief Tom Egbuwoku, has mourned the late Olorogun Ibru, describing him as a worthy example for the upcoming political class to imitate.

Egbuwoku, who served as Whip in the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, in the House of Representatives between 1979 and 1983, in his condolence message, praised the late Ibru’s inclination to always do what he said.

Egbuwoku said, yesterday: “It is a painful death. He was a personal friend and a very close political associate and as far as I know, he was talk na do. When he said something he did it. In his period as governor, he brought peace and stability to the state, and above all, he brought ethnic harmony amongst all ethnic groups in the state.”

Also, pioneer Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Okoro, yesterday, said that the late Ibru laid the foundation for the development of Delta State as the first civilian governor of the state.

Okoro, in a statement said: “It is a reality that no man lives forever except you have the special grace of Almighty God. How I wish Ibru had that favour to see from year to year, the growth of Delta State which he served as the first elected governor after its disengagement from Bendel State on August 27, 1991.”

Noting that Ibru lived a fulfilled life and contributed his quota to the overall development of Delta State and Nigeria in general, Okoro said, “We shall see you again on resurrection day by God’s grace in accordance with the scripture in John 5 : 28-29.”

Also, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ethiope federal constituency, Chief Lovette Idisi, described the death of Olorogun Ibru as great loss to Delta State and Nigeria.

Commiserating with the Ibru family, the Urhobo nation and Deltans over the death, Idisi in a statement, said that the late “Ibru was a father, a patriot and a political icon who laid the foundation of a state we can truly call our own, as first civilian governor of Delta State.”

Noting that Ibru died at a time his fatherly advice, contribution and ideas were most needed in the country, he said, “We, however, take solace in the fact that the late icon left behind legacies to follow.”

The Chairman of Urhobo Soliderity Forum, USF, Chief Smith Asohro on his part, described the demise of Olorogun Ibru as painful and unexpected.

Asohro said Ibru, a worthy son and leader of the Urhobo, was committed to the well-being of his people in all spheres of life.

He said that the USF would play active role in giving a befitting burial to Olorogun Ibru, enjoining the family to carry them along in the burial arrangements.