Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District, as a profound loss not only to the Ogoni people of Rivers State but to the nation at large.
Wike paid glowing tribute to the late lawmaker, portraying him as “a dependable ally who stood by his friends, even during trying times,” and noting that his passing has created a significant vacuum in the political landscape of Rivers State and beyond.
Senator Mpigi died at 64, last week Thursday, after a brief illness.
In a statement in London on Thursday, by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister, who led the delegation of Rivers State leaders on Thursday, to visit the wife of Senator Mpigi, Mrs. Patricia Obiageri Mpigi, and her children, promised to stand by the family and ensure a befitting burial for the deceased.
The Minister was accompanied by his two sons, Jordan and Joaquin, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, Senators Magnus Abe, Allwell Onyesoh and Olaka Nwogu, as well as Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Aaron Chukwuemeka, Felix Nweke, Kenneth Chikere and Hon. Dum Deekor.
Condoling with Senator Mpigi’s wife and children, Wike said, “We are here as a delegation sent by the leader of Rivers State. Actually, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Chief OCJ Okocha and Sergeant Awuse would have come, but considering their age, they couldn’t. We were asked to come and see you before you return home.
“I don’t know where to start from, but one key thing is that all of us know that certainly, a day will come when we will go and meet our maker. But when it will be, nobody knows.
“I do know that your husband has tried. He really was very strong to overcome whatever the problem was. And you, too, as a very strong woman, gave him the necessary support.
“You know how close all of us were to your husband, particularly me. I was council chairman with your husband, and we have been together. Your husband was a strong pillar in the politics of Rivers State.
“There is nobody among us who does not know the impact of Barinada Mpigi. When he says he is your friend, he is your friend. If Bari says he is not going to work with you, you don’t need to go and ask anyone whether he will change his mind. He stands with his friends through thick and thin. Unfortunately that this is the period we really need your husband to be around. But we can’t question God.
“I had thought that he would overcome it, but God knows better. There is nothing we can say today that can bring Bari back. In fact, I was telling one of our friends that the day we will know that Bari is no longer with us is when he will be lowered. Up till now, some of us still the belief that anything can happen.
“God gives, God takes. I believe that He will give all of you the strength, just as we pray that God will also give us the strength to bear this irreparable loss, which is not only to the Ogoni people, Rivers State, but to Nigeria as a whole.”
Promising to stand by the family, the Minister, in an emotion-laden tone, said, “We will play our own part. We will not forget Bari. As I have said, it is our own loss; we will be there with you. We will play our roles to ensure that he is accorded a befitting burial.
“On behalf of the leaders of Rivers State, we say take heart and remain strong.”
Responding, the wife of the deceased, Patricia Mpigi, thanked the Minister for always standing by the family, saying, “I thank you for your presence and support. All I can say is thank you. Thank you for all you have done.”
About the Author
