By SouthernVoicenews
The family of the late Senator Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, the first Executive Governor of Delta State and one time President General of Urhobo Socio Cultural Group, UPU, has described him as a humble and family man who faithfully served his nation with distinction, probity, and gave a major part of his life for the actualization of a better Delta of our dreams.
This was made known during the memorial service of his seventh year remembrance organized by his wife, Mrs Edna Park-Ibru, the first Miss Nigeria,1964, who represents Africa for Miss Universe in the States and her children, Dr Paul, and Sheri Ibru at Rehoboth Place, in Agbarho-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta state.
According to Mrs Ibru, “We are here to remember a husband, father, uncle and family man who sacrifice and did his best for his people, Delta state and Urhobo nation.
“And we will continue to remember him and do our to keep his legacies at all time, until God calls me home because whatever i am today, was through him and in my entire life after the almighty God, it is him.
On his part, the eldest son of Olorogun (Sen) Felix Ibru, Dr Paul Ibru said “My late father was a beloved family man, an amazing and compassionate father given to us by the Lord.
“We miss him so dearly, The seven years have gone rather quickly, yet he lives on in our hearts; and we are grateful to the Lord who enabled him to know Him, and to serve selflessly his generation, nation, state and the Urhobo people.May his legacy continue to glorify the Lord.”
Also speaking, Hon Kenneth Ibru, said, “Olorogun Senator Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru is greatly missed by his immediate family, Agbarha-Otor, Urhobo nation and Deltans because of his antecedents as a governor.
“And we are glad because as the first executive governor of Delta state, he was not indicted by any anti-graft agencies of embezzling the state government money.
“He was a pillar to the Ibru family, Agbarha-Otor who brought honour and pride to his people during his lifetime as a Governor, Senator, and UPU president general.
“The Ibru family is very proud of him, he left huge sum in the treasury of Delta state for successive government.”
“Dipping hands into public fund is not a nature attached to the Ibru family and our father displayed it as a Governor, Senator and UPU President General.”
On her part, Dr Mrs Cecilia Ibru describes the Felix Ibru as a family man who in all ramification was calm, dedicated and dutiful to the extent of making sacrifice.
“As a governor, he worked effectively to galvanize Delta state and particularly the Urhobo will never forget him and it is my appeal that the next government that would come should look at his records and emulate him.
“The people loved him because he was a man of peace that wanted everybody to work together and be great.
The Otota of Olomu Kingdom, Chief Macaulay Ovwagbedia said, “Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru lived a fulfilled life, a good family man, and he attained what God has for him.
“He did not disappoint us and we are happy to have him and after seven years of his demise, people still come together to celebrate him”.
Earlier in his homily, the Vicar of St Andrew’s Church, Ven Charles Badawusi called on the federal and state governments emulate the legacy of the late governor who never embezzled government fund but strove to ensure that a better nation and state is achieved.
“It was only God that prepared the seat of Governor, Senator and UPU president general for him and others that came after him were praise singers.
“He contributed to the development of the Church and he was never accused of stealing and the church is calling on whoever that will emerge after the elections to emulate the precedence of Senator Ibru.”