August 17, 2021

The remains of former Deputy President of the Senate, Ibrahim Mantu, who died in the early hours of Tuesday, aged 74,  has been buried in Gudu cemetery, Abuja.

This after prayers were offered for the repose of his soul at the Sheikh Khalid mosque in the nation’s capital. Top politicians who attended the prayer session include the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso among others.

It was reported that Senator Mantu fell ill nine days ago and was being treated at home and thereafter rushed to the hospital when his condition did not improve.

Meanwhile, The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege (APC-Delta), has expressed deep shock and sadness over the demise of a former lawmaker and elder statesman, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu.

Omo-Agege in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yomi Odunuga, in Abuja on Tuesday, saluted Mantu’s patriotism and commitment to building a virile legislature.

Mantu, 74, who served as Deputy President of the Senate from 2001 to 2007 died in the early hours of Tuesday after a brief illness.

Omo-Agege lauded Mantu’s committed responses to the needs of his community as a two-term senator and his devotion to national development.

He also commended Mantu’s insightful contributions on the floor of the Senate, saying that the deceased would be fondly remembered.

Omo-Agege also condoled with the Government and people of Plateau as well as family and friends of the deceased.

He said: “Distinguished Senator Ibrahim Mantu served the Fourth and Fifth Senate between 1999 and 2007 with compassion and diligence.

“He served the Senate in various capacities including Chairman, Senate Committee on Information; Deputy President of the Senate; as well as Chairman, Joint National Assembly Constitution Review Committee.”

He noted that deceased chaired the Policy Analysis and Research Project (PARP) which metamorphosed into the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

Omo-Agege further recalled that Mantu was Amirul Hajj from 2005 to 2006 and also superintended the Palliative Consolidated Committee for Cushioning Measures.

Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, had mourned the late senator, lauding his contributions to national development.

Buhari in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the late Bantu dedicated his life to the service of his people.