Follow Us on Google
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed deep shock and sadness over the sudden passage of Senator Barinada Mpigi, the senator representing South East senatorial district of Rivers State.
Fubara, in a tribute by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, described Mpigi as a brother, a consummate politician and one of the leading lights in Rivers State.
The governor said he died at a critical time when his services were still needed by the people of Rivers State and prayed to God Almighty to grant him eternal rest.
Governor Fubara commiserated with his immediate family, the Rivers South East senatorial district and the Senate, asking them to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a good life and impacted positively on the people.
Also, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Senator Mpigi.
He described the late Senator as a committed public servant, whose contributions to the development of Rivers State and the Niger Delta would remain indelible.
Other News
According to him, Senator Mpigi was a grassroots politician, who maintained a strong connection with his constituents and demonstrated dedication to the ideals of representative democracy.
“I received with profound sadness the news of the passing of my friend and brother, Senator Barry Mpigi. His death is a painful loss not only to Rivers South-East senatorial district, but to Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole,” Dr Peterside said.
He noted that the late lawmaker’s passion for public service, humility and commitment to the welfare of his people distinguished him during his time in the Senate and in previous public engagements.
Senator Mpigi died at the age of 64. Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works in the current 10th assembly.
In 2019, he was a member of the 9th assembly during Muhammadu Buhari’s second tenure.
He was first elected in 2011 to the lower house, where he represented the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo federal constituency. He was reelected for a second term in December 2016.
