The legislator representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Umar Buba Jibrin, is dead.
Jibrin who was also the Deputy Leader, died Friday morning at the age of 58.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, described Jibrin as upright, patriotic, hardworking and a dynamic leader.
“We regret to announce the passing away of our friend, brother, colleague and leader, Umar Buba Jibrin, Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, whose sad demise occurred in the early hours of Friday, after a protracted illness.”
The deceased will be buried on Friday in Lokoja after Juma’at prayer, Dogara further stated.
Jibrin was at a time the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly.
Meanwhile, condolences have started pouring in.
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello who said he was shocked over the death of the legislator was a man of the people.
Said Bello in a statement issued by his Director-General of Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo:
“The late former Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker and a Principal Officer of the House of Representatives was a man of the people. His life is a book for anyone aspiring for greatness to read.
“The late Jibrin identified with his people and lived a life of serving the poor in his constituency.
“He was a successful politician and a lesson in positivism; a man who chose to take his destiny in his hand on several occasions.
“He will be remembered for his astuteness and purposeful leadership as well as his philanthropic life and service to humanity.
“The new generation of Kogites and Nigerians at large will have a lot to learn from the life of the great patriot.”
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In a similar vein, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has expressed sadness over Jibril’s death.
In posts on his social media pages, Saraki said that Nigeria had lost another seasoned legislator and champion of the common man.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and constituents of the late Rt. Hon Umar Buba Jibrin, deputy leader of the House of Representatives, who passed away early this morning.
“As a former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibrin, was a seasoned legislator and a conscientious lawmaker who always put the interests of the common man first — and championed them at the federal level. He will be greatly missed.
“My deep condolences go out to Speaker Dogara, his colleagues in the House of Representatives and the government and people of Kogi State over this great loss,” Saraki said.
