From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike and his Works counterpart Dave Umahi, on Wednesday, led glowing tributes to the late Senator Mpigi Barry, portraying him as a beacon of principled leadership in Nigeria’s often turbulent political landscape.
The Night of Tribute, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, drew top government officials, lawmakers, and associates who celebrated Barry’s unwavering commitment to service, justice, and national development.
Wike, who anchored the event, described the late Rivers State lawmaker as a rare politician whose clarity of purpose stood out amid inconsistency. “I am a politician, and I have seen people say one thing in the morning and change by night. But this was a man whose position was clear and consistent. When he decided on a cause, he pursued it with everything,” he said.
He praised Barry’s dedication to his people’s development, urging Nigerians to focus on lasting impact given life’s uncertainties. “We do not know when the time will come. What matters is the impact we make while we are here. He lived a life that will be remembered,” Wike added, vowing support for Barry’s family.
Umahi echoed the sentiments, hailing Barry’s integrity, where “words and actions were aligned”. He recalled their joint efforts on infrastructure, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, where Barry’s advocacy resolved bottlenecks and championed quality delivery. “He was a national figure committed to the progress of the entire country… He was not driven by personal gain. He was committed to service and to the call of God upon his life,” Umahi stated.
The minister lamented that Barry would not see projects like coastal highway sections completed but assured continuity of his vision, pledging solidarity with the family.
In a sermon titled “Death is Not the End,” Provincial Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, FCT Province 1, Pastor Amos Okemuyiwa, reminded attendees that death levels all and that true legacy lies in deeds. “Death is an appointment that is unavoidable… The life after death is the memory of the impact you leave behind,” he said.
Attendees remembered Barry as a bridge-builder and unity advocate whose contributions to public service will endure for generations.
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