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News of the death yesterday of a father figure, the lawmaker representing Lokoja Koto federal constituency at the National Assembly, came to not only me but entire people with great shock. This perhaps is the reason sympathizers and mourners from all walks of life continue to commiserate with the good people of Lokoja Koto days after his death. And in line with our African and religious tradition, eulogies extolling the virtues of the late Rt Honourable member are all you hear from the lips of sympathizers.
It is often said that there is time for everything in life. There is a time to be born, a time to grow, a time to explore the world and a time to die. For late Hon Buba, there was a time to be born, a time grow, a time achieve quality education, a time to excel in civil service, a time to join politics and a time to make sacrifices, statements and put together actions which have a lasting impact on one’s generation and generations yet unborn… And ultimately a time to transit to the other side and be celebrated.
As a members of his constituency, I wish to also express my deep shock and extend my heartfelt condolence to the government and people of Kogi State for this irreparable loss. May Aljanna be his final abode.
As we mourn the loss of this vibrant deputy majority leader, I cannot help but notice the torrents of eulogies from sympathisers and as much as they are all true, I am a bit surprised. This is because while he was alive, his political opponents always worked to pull him down. Hon Buba, aside his numerous contributions in the green chamber, initiated many projects including primary healthcare centres that make up his constituency, construction of schools, construction of motorized boreholes.
He is one of the few Kogites who ventured into politics purely with the intention of providing purposeful leadership and selfless service to the people. The enthusiasm and doggedness with which he is gradually touching the lives of the ordinary man proved him as an achiever who is always prepared to explore new frontiers.
He is a man of destiny bubbling with the zeal to positively impact on his people. His humility will enthrall you. He remains unaffected by the lofty heights he has attained in his chosen career. He is one man whose middle name can be likened to philanthropism He is Late Hon. (Arch). Umar Buba Jibril.
Born on 22nd November, 1960 in Lokoja , Kogi state, Umar imbibed the virtues of hardwork and tenacity of his late parents Alhaji Jibril Ndamasa, his father and mallama Salamatu Jibril, his mother.
His educational career began at the L.E.A Primary School, Kabawa between 1969-1974. He proceeded to the famous Government Secondary School, Koton-karfe in 1974. He was the head boy of the school in 1979 who as a science student credited all his subjects.
Late Hon. Buba later went for studies in university of Jos where he obtained his first and second degrees (masters) in architecture in 1985.
Before his foray into politics, young Buba worked as HTO (Building) and Arch. 1 principal Architect at the Federal university of Technology, Minna. He later became the Manager of his brother’s service station (filling station) Oando, Lokoja where he still occupies today.
This late Lokoja born democrat contested in the Kogi State House of Assembly election as member in 2003 and won, thus representing Lokoja 1 constituency.
A man destined to be of many firsts; late Hon. Umar Buba Jibril became the first People Democracy Party (PDP) speaker of the State House of Assembly in 2003. He is the first Head boy to have passed out in flying colours as a Science student in G.S.S Koton-karfe. He is the first House of Representatives member from Lokoja/Kogi (Koton-Karfe) to have organized constituency feed-back programme.
Late Buba is the first member from his federal constituency to be appointed Chairman of a committee in the House of Representatives committee on capital market and institutions. Late Buba is the first in his state to attain as high a position as Deputy House Leader in the House of Representatives.
The eagle is a rare bird and each generation they say is blessed with a few. During the 2015 general elections he has been given third term mandate to carry on his good work. The first person to have this rare opportunity in his constituency. This rare eagle has remained a man of towering stature with total commitment to the yearnings of his people. He shares his vision for humanity and has been a source of inspiration to all.
This emerging, intelligent and upward mobile man has earned his recognition as an astute politician. His going into the National Assembly in 2015, which was titled season 3, in particular has marked a turning point in the political life of Lokoja/Kogi (Koton-karfe) federal constituency, even his enemies can attest to this.
Meek as a lamb but courageous as a lion in spirit, his consistent and excellent record continued to pave way for him. His uncommon achievements in politics, community development and his love for excellence and discipline endeared him to the populace. No wonder His Royal Highness, the Ohimege-Igu of Koton-Karfe and the Maigari of Lokoja both first class chiefs honored him with the chieftaincy titles of the Madawkin Koton-Karfe and Dama of Lokoja respectively. He is also a recipient of other titles and honours.
Late Rt Hon. Buba has also facilitated and sponsored over 40 motorized bore holes in over 40 communities across Lokoja and Kogi (Koton-Karfe) Local government.
Late Rt Hon. Buba (The Dama of Lokoja) has facilitated and sponsored the procurement and installation of 18 Transformers in 18 communities in Lokoja and Kogi (Koton-Karfe) Local government.
Late Rt Hon. Buba (The Madawkin Koton-Karfe) has facilitated and sponsored the procurement and installation of Solar Energy Street Lights in 13 communities across Lokoja and Kogi (Koton-Karfe) Local government.
Late Rt Hon. Buba (The Otumba Daniel of Ekiri -Ade) has facilitated and sponsored construction of 4 blocks of Classrooms with furniture and VIP toilets in 4 schools and provision of furniture to 3 Schools all across Lokoja and Kogi (Koton-Karfe) Local government.
Late Rt Hon. Buba sponsored the provision of essential Drugs to 2 Health Care centers in Lokoja and Kogi Local government. Hon. Buba (the eagle) has sponsored 5 vital bills and moved 4 vital motions in the floor of green chamber.
Late Rt Hon . Buba sponsored medical reach-out in his constituency. In that medical reach-out, over 3,000 of his constituents were tested on various illnesses and those among them that needed medical attention were given free treatment.
Late Rt. Hon. Buba (The people’s representative) facilitated and secured jobs for over 100 youths of Lokoja and Kogi (Koton-Karfe) Local government, in federal MDAs.
The latest of all on the inexhaustible long list of late Hon. Buba’s achievements is the training of 200 Senior Secondary School Students on Desktop Publishing and the beneficiaries presented with certificate and a Laptop computer each.
In recognition of his rare feat, the people of Lokoja/Kogi (Koton-Karfe) federal constituency save him another mandate for the third term.
First, on the platform People Democratic Party (PDP).
Secondly, on the platform of Congress Progressive Change (CPC)
Thirdly on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC).
Late Rt Hon. (Arc) Umar Buba Jibril left the world and survived with 3 wives and children.
– Abbas Yahaya
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