Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has described the late Olorogun Senator Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru as the architect of modern Delta, saying that as the first civilian governor of the then young state, he did a lot of spadework to lay the foundation for its growth.

He stated this on Tuesday when he paid a condolence visit to the Ibrus at the family’s residence at GRA, Ikeja Lagos. He described the late former governor as a man of great accomplishment, humble and caring and therefore loved by his people.

Okowa said: “Our late elder and statesman was a man of great achievement. He did not stop as a governor, he represented his people as a senator of the Federal Republic and went on to lead the Urhobo Progress Union as its President General. That tells you that he was a great achiever.

“He did so much to lay the foundation for our young state then. I recall that I was a Local Government Chairman when our late elder statesman was the governor of the state. My predecessors in office tapped from his wealth of experience, but now he is gone. So I can say that I feel the loss most.”

Okowa announced that a committee would be set up by the state government that would liaise with the family in the planning the burial of the late former governor.

He had earlier written while signing the condolence register: “We lost a great leader and a statesman. A great community leader, distinguished Senator and father of our young state. Adieu, our great leader.”

Governor Okowa urged the family, particularly, the widow, Chief (Mrs) Matilda Ibru, to be very strong and remember that God has a reason for allowing it to happen at a time like this. He then presented an official letter by the State Government to the family which was received by Chief Goodie Ibru.

Welcome the delegation, Chief Goodie Ibru said the family very much appreciated the visit as it shows the level of respect Governor Okowa and the government of the state have for the Ibru family for which the family is grateful.

Governor Okowa was accompanied on the visit by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, and other members of the Assembly, among them Hon. Samuel Mariere of Ughelli North Constituency 1 and Hon. Oharisi of Ughelli North Constituency 11; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon Festus Agas; and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Tan Brisbe. Others were the Commissioner for Finance, Olorogun David Edevbie; Commissioner for Information, Hon Patrick Ukah; Special Adviser, Emmanuel Aguariavwodo; the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government, Hon. Kesiena Ibru; and Managing Director of Obakpor Engineering Company, Olorogun John Oguma.

•Photo shows late Olorogun Felix Ibru.