Bishop John Ibenu, the General Overseer of Chapel of Freedom International Churches, Lokoja, has paid tribute to former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, describing the late politician as a humble, generous and unifying leader who left a lasting legacy in the state.
Idris, popularly known as “Ibro,” died on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the age of 77.
Speaking with newsmen in Lokoja on Friday, Bishop Ibenu commiserated with the Kogi State governor and the entire people of the state over Idris’s passing, describing him as “a very, very humble man, amiable man, a man of understanding” who was open-handed, open-hearted and ever listening. According to the cleric, Idris treated everyone he met with warmth, regardless of status, often greeting people simply as “my dear.”
Bishop Ibenu also remembered Idris as a father figure to civil servants and senior officials, noting that he was quick to release funds to support bereaved families and consistently went beyond formal duty to assist people in need. He described the former governor as a visionary mentor who helped move Kogi State forward during his time in office.
The cleric further praised Idris as a uniting force who governed without discrimination, distributing development evenly across the state’s local governments. “We miss his wisdom, we miss his presence, but God knows better,” Bishop Ibenu said, adding that the family and people of Kogi State should thank God for his life.
Addressing the Idris family directly, Bishop Ibenu urged them to take solace in the legacy their father, husband and grandfather left behind, noting that few people had anything negative to say about him. He encouraged the family to continue the former governor’s work and join forces with the state government to build a better future for Kogi State.
