The House of Representatives has announced the death of its Deputy Leader, Umar Buba Jibrin, who died in the early hours of Friday.
In a statement signed by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, the house described Jibrin as “an upright man, a leader per excellence, a patriotic, committed hardworking lawmaker and a worthy representative”.
“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.”
According to the statement, Jibrin will be buried on Friday in Lokoja after the Juma’at prayer.
The House extended its heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, wives, children, relations, constituents and people of Kogi.
Jibrin was a one time Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly and until his death, he was the Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Jubril has been buried in Lokoja.
Jibril, 58, a three-term member of the House of Representatives, was buried amidst tears from families, friends and colleagues that thronged Lokoja for the burial.
The burial was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, Kogi Deputy Governor, Mr Simon Achuba, Kogi House of Assembly Speaker, Mr Matthew Kolawole, members of the house, among others.
Dogara, who spoke with newsmen after the burial, described Jibril as a fine colleague and brilliant lawmaker.
He lamented the loss of many lawmakers at the same time and prayed God to halt the tide.
“I don’t think it has happened before; not to my recollection. We have lost about three senators and five members of the House of Representatives in the past few weeks,” he said.
Mr Matthew Kolawole, the Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, told newsmen that the state government, the Kogi House of Assembly, and the entire Kogi would miss him a lot.
“Don’t forget that he was a former speaker of Kogi House of Assembly, we will miss him a lot.
“I pray that God almighty will give all of us the heart to bear the irreparable lost.
“What happened today is a big lesson to all of us who are still living.
“No matter how rich you are, just remember that sometime, someday, you will drop dead, and when you do, you are going to give account of your life to God.
“It is a debt we will all pay sometimes someday,” Kolawole said.
and then