Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has said the late Senator Barinada Mpigi was a man whose life left a lasting impact on people and communities.
Speaking during the outing and thanksgiving service held in honour of the late senator at the Beth-El Anglican Church, Koroma Deanery in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday, Gov. Diri urged Nigerians to nurture and value relationship, noting that good memories and legacies were the consolation of the living.
He said: “Senator Mpigi was a friend and a brother. Though I could not be present earlier due to conflicting state engagements, I made it a duty to be here today to honour his memory and speak to his family.”
Reflecting on the inevitability of death, the governor stated that while it was the collective wish of many that Sen. Mpigi lived longer, fate had taken its course.
He recounted his long-standing relationship with him, which he said began during their time in the House of Representatives and continued into the Senate.
Gov. Diri said Sen. Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District until his demise, was courageous, lively, and deeply committed to the development of the Niger Delta region.
“We would have loved him to be with us, even to bury his aged father and not the other way round. But who are we to question God, who knows the beginning from the end.
“We cross-pollinated ideas and worked together for our region while we were in the National Assembly. Barry was always part of us. We became not just colleagues, but brothers,” he said.
The governor emphasised that beyond political office, it is relationships and contributions to humanity that defined a person’s legacy.
“It is not the offices we occupy that matter. Offices are temporary. It is the relationships we build and the value we add to lives that endure.
“Whatever anyone has done to you, learn to forgive. If we do not forgive, how can we expect forgiveness from our heavenly Father?” he questioned.
He encouraged the bereaved family, especially the father, the widow of the deceased, Mrs. Patricia Mpigi, and the children to take solace in the impactful life the senator lived.
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On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, the governor expressed his condolences to the Mpigi family and prayed for strength for them to bear the loss.
He pledged to donate a bus to the church, which was built by Sen. Mpigi, and a car to the resident minister.
On the governor’s entourage were Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), Rep. Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency), Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown (Sagbama Constituency 3), the Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Nimizigha, and the Special Adviser on Ijaw Affairs, Chief Erasmus Patrick.
Also present at the service were Senator Magnus Abe and other serving and non-serving national and state legislators from Rivers State, among others.
