Warri – Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (Labour-Delta Central) says the death of businessman, Olorogun Michael Ibru, is a colossal loss to the Urhobo nation and Nigeria.
Omo-Agege, in a statement on Wednesday, said Ibru was a great leader whose business strength contributed to the economic growth of the country.
“Ibru was a bridge builder and quintessential advocate for good governance who excelled in every facet of life.
“He was the major architect of the Ibru business empire that lifted our people from poverty. He gave himself completely in the service of our people.
“Without a doubt, we have lost a giant,’’ Omo-Agege said.
Also, Mr Frank Kokori, former Secretary-General of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), said Ibru was a great patriot who impacted meaningfully on the lives of many Nigerians.
“He was a father of business. It is painful we are losing such people in the Ibru family.
“This is a great loss to the Urhobo nation and Nigeria. He was a patriot, a great man; Nigerians will forever remember him,’’ Kokori said.
The President-General, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Mr Joe Omene, described Ibru as one the greatest Urhobo men created by God.
According to him, the business mogul was also into politics to advance the course of humanity.
“There is hardly any Urhobo man that did not enjoy him.
“He was always happy to identify with the Urhobos, in fact most Urhobos used his shoes to fit into positions.
“It is unfortunate that we lost such a great man and we will forever remember him for his fatherly advice,’’ he said.
Mr John Agoda, former member of the House of Representatives, Ethiope Federal Constituency, described Ibru as a role model and a trail blazer.
“He was an outstanding Nigerian in terms of industry and commerce; he also contributed to the emergence of Delta.
“I hope the younger generation of Ibru will keep alive the achievements he left behind.
“We mourn him dearly; a big loss to Delta and Nigeria in general,’’ he said.
Mr O’tega Emerhor, who was All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta in 2015, said Ibru was a pathfinder and a great nationalist who always put the interest of the nation first.
“He brought the Urhobo nation’s name to the world business map.
“He lifted many young Urhobos from the shackles of poverty by providing them the needed platform to launch out into national and global market.
“As a trailblazer, his uncommon business acumen and management ingenuity created one of the most successful and enduring business empires in Nigeria, which till date, remains a global brand,’’ he said.
Emerhor urged the family of the deceased to take solace in God.
Late Michael Ibru was born on Dec. 25, 1930 into the family of late Pa Epete Ibru in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta.
He died at 86 on Sept. 6, after a brief illness.
The late Ibru, who had a large business empire, was co-founder of the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University located in his country-home, Agbarha-Otor.
He was born into a family of seven, which included Mr Alex Ibru, the Publisher of Guardian Newspapers who died five years ago.
It would be recalled that his younger brother, Felix Ibru, a former Delta governor, died on March 12, 2016 and was interred in his hometown on Aug.2. (NAN)