The Senate on Tuesday, February 6, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a former governor of Yobe State, who died on Sunday, February 4.

During the plenary session, the Senate observed a minute of silence in honor of Senator Ibrahim and unanimously agreed to dispatch a high-level delegation to extend condolences to the deceased’s family, as well as the government and people of Yobe State.

The decision to send condolences followed a motion put forward by former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, addressing the demise of Senator Ibrahim during the February 6 plenary.

In his address, Lawan hailed Senator Ibrahim as a dedicated leader, committed politician, and exemplary public servant who made significant contributions to the advancement of Yobe State and Nigeria as a whole.

Lawan emphasized that Senator Ibrahim’s passing was not only a profound loss to his immediate family but also to the entirety of Yobe State and the nation at large.

 “During his tenure as Governor between 1999 and 2007, Yobe State witnessed significant progress in various sectors, including education, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.

“He introduced a free education programme in Yobe State in 2004, which provided free education to primary and secondary school students in the state. This program helped to increase school enrollment and reduce the illiteracy rate in the state.

“After completing his 8-year stint as Governor of Yobe State, he contested to represent Yobe East Senatorial District in the National Assembly during the 2007 General Elections, under the platform of the ANPP. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2015, respectively.

“During the 2015 General Elections, he contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, the APC. As a three-time Senator, he served as Chairman and member of several Senate standing committees.

“In recognition of his meritorious service and outstanding academic accomplishments, the late Sen. Bukar Ibrahim was inducted as a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FNIQS); Fellow, of Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers; and a member of the Institute of Directors,” he said.