By Festus Ahon & Godwin Oghre, ASABA

MORE tributes, yesterday poured in for the late patriarch of the Ibru family and chairman of the Ibru organization, Olorogun Michael Christopher Onajirhevbe Ibru with a cross section of Deltans describing him as a worthy son of Urhobo nation, Delta State and Nigeria who invested so much in human empowerment through job creation.

Those who spoke to the Vanguard include; Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor, Chief Fred Majemite, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, Chief Sheriff Oborevbori, Olorogun Jaro Egbo and Chief Sunny Onuesoke.

Olorogun Michael Ibru

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege in his tributes said; “the exit of Olorogun Michael Christopher Onajirhevbe Ibru (OFR) is a major loss for Nigeria as a whole. He was a great leader. A business mogul, who contributed to the economic growth of Nigeria.

“Olorogun Micheal was a bridge builder and quintessential advocate for good governance. He excelled in every facet of life. He was the major architect of the Ibru business empire that lifted our people from poverty. He gave himself completely in the service of our people. Without a doubt, we have lost a giant”.

Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor said; “The demise of Olorogun Michael Christopher Onajirhevbe Ibru (OFR), the patriarch of the great Ibru family and business empire, the Otota of Agbarha Otor Kingdom is an irreplaceable loss, to the Urhobo Nation, Delta state, Nigeria and the global business community.

“Olorogun Michael Ibru was a trailblazer whose uncommon business acumen and management ingenuity created one of the most successful and enduring business empires in Nigeria, which till date, remains a global brand”.

Olorogun Taleb Tebite described the death of Olorogun Michael Ibru as unfortunate and painful, saying; “this news of Olorogun Michael Ibru came to me as rude shock. It is very painful that he died at this critical time when our country is facing economic recession.

“A great iroko has fallen again in urhobo nation. Olorogun Michael Ibru as a fish magnate and business guru brought a lot of industries to Urhobo land which created jobs for our youths; he made so many people”.

Chief Fred Majemite said; “Olorogun Michael Ibru was an enigma, a legend and the best of a family man. He came, he saw and conquered.

“He was a colossus who bestrode the length and breath of our nation in all its ramifications; be it business, education, health or housing, he was a master of all and he will be remembered for his foray into fish business and brewery”.

National Leader of Urhobo Nationality Council, UNC, Olorogun Jaro Egbo on his part, described the late Olorogun Michael Ibru as a Colossus that bestrode the business for over five decades and the greatest entrepreneur in African continent who pioneered frozen food business.

Egbo said; “the death of Olorogun MCO Ibru is the end of era of an immortal legend. A Colossus that bestrode the business for over five decades. The greatest entrepreneur in African continent who pioneered frozen food business and was contemporary of Sir louis Odumegwu Ojukwu and Alhaji Sanusi Dantata.

Also speaking, Chief Sheriff Oborevbori said; “Olorogun Michael Ibru’s death is a colossal loss to Delta State, Urhobo nation and Nigeria as a whole”.