By Oscar Okhifo
Political leaders, government officials, family members and associates on Friday gathered in Abuja to bid farewell to former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, whose remains were buried at the Gudu Cemetery in Apo after Islamic funeral rites.
Idris, who died in the United Kingdom at the age of 77 after a brief illness, was buried following the arrival of his remains in the Federal Capital Territory.
The funeral attracted Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, former governors Yahaya Bello and Captain Idris Wada, members of the Idris family, traditional leaders, government officials, political associates and sympathisers.
Prayers and tributes marked the solemn ceremony as mourners paid their final respects to the former governor and reflected on his years in public service.
Ododo described the late former governor as a leader whose years in office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental history of Kogi State.
“His years in public office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental journey of Kogi State,” the governor said.
Ododo also said the Idris administration recorded interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other critical sectors, which he said contributed to the development and institutional growth of the state.
Popularly known as “Ibro,” Idris was elected governor of Kogi State in 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and returned to office after winning the March 2008 governorship re-run election following a legal challenge to the 2007 election.
He remained in office until January 2012, when he was succeeded by Captain Idris Wada.
Following his death, Governor Ododo declared three days of mourning in his honour and directed that the national and Kogi State flags be flown at half-mast across government offices and other designated public institutions in the state.
The governor also announced a state burial for the former governor, with the Kogi State Government taking responsibility for the burial expenses and arrangements.
Born in 1949 in Idah, Kogi State, Idris was a businessman before venturing into politics. He founded Ibro Trading Company, with interests in construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality.
His burial in Abuja marked the conclusion of the funeral rites for a former governor who remained a prominent figure in Kogi politics and whose years in public service continue to feature prominently in the political history of the state.