Ibori mourns Segun Awolowo, urges widow to ‘draw strength to carry on’

James Ibori, former governor of Delta, has urged Bola, widow of the late Segun Awolowo Jnr, to take solace in the tributes that have poured in for her husband since his passing.

Awolowo, grandson of the late statesman Obafemi Awolowo, died on November 20 at 62.

A Night of Tributes was held in his honour on Tuesday at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Ibori described the former chief executive officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) as a humble, dignified and impactful public servant whose legacy would endure.

Addressing the widow directly, he said, “All we will say here and all you have heard is for you to draw strength to carry on. Our guy was a great guy.”

The former governor recalled that he was at a similar tribute ceremony for the late Oskar Ibru when news of Awolowo’s death reached him, calling the moment a painful coincidence.

“My first thought was, ‘What a season!’ It was a life fully lived in all its chapters. To be honest, I never imagined it would come so soon,” he said.

“We all knew he was struggling, but that did nothing to soften the blow. The reality came with such weight, bringing profound shock and sadness.”

Ibori praised the late Segun Awolowo’s calm disposition, integrity and devotion to service, noting that despite his lineage, he carried the Awolowo’s name “not as a crown, but as a responsibility”.

The former governor said he distinguished himself in public service, particularly during his leadership at the NEPC, where he championed Nigeria’s non-oil export ambitions with “vision and diligence”.

“He performed exceptionally well. He was not there for the title but for tangible results. He was a true servant of the nation,” Ibori added.

He described him as “a bridge between a storied past and a hopeful future”, saying his life reflected humility, discipline and purposeful leadership.

Ibori extended condolences to the Awolowo family and all who knew him, praying for comfort and strength “in this moment of profound grief”.

“As we mourn his passing, we extend our deepest condolences to the entire family, led by the wife Bola and all who knew and loved him. May they find comfort in the respect and affection that his life has inspired,” he said.

“His was a life well lived, though it ended too soon. He embodied grace under pressure, service over self and the enduring power of a good name. May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace.”