Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has announced the renaming of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, after former Governor Ibrahim Idris, in recognition of his contributions to the development of the state.
Governor Ododo made the announcement at the 40th-day prayer held in honour of the late former governor in Abejukolo, Omala Local Government Area.
The Governor described the gesture as part of the government’s responsibility to preserve the legacies of leaders who played significant roles in the development of Kogi State.
Governor Ododo said the decision to rename the hospital Ibrahim Idris Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, is to ensure that the late governor’s name and contributions remain part of the state’s institutional history and continue to inspire future generations.
“History will not forgive us if we allow the name and contributions of Baba Ibro to fade from our collective memory. His legacy must live in our institutions, our public spaces and the stories we tell our children about the men and women who helped build Kogi State,” he said.
Governor Ododo described the late Ibrahim Idris as a detribalised leader, astute businessman and committed humanitarian whose influence extended beyond politics to business, institution-building and the empowerment of individuals and communities.
He noted that the administration of former governor contributed to the development of the state through the establishment of institutions and the strengthening of existing ones, adding that his impact would remain part of the State’s collective history.
The Governor also highlighted the diverse political, ethnic and religious backgrounds of those who gathered to honour the former Governor, describing their presence as evidence of the bridges he built through relationships, service and humanity.
He urged the people of Kogi State to rise above their differences and embrace unity, stressing that the state’s greatest strength lies in its shared identity and common destiny.
“Division destroys, but unity builds,” he said, calling on Kogites to sustain the spirit of togetherness exemplified by the late former governor.
The Governor reaffirmed the responsibility of the government to honour those whose services contributed to the growth of the state, insisting that the legacy of the late Ibrahim Idris should remain a source of inspiration to generations of Kogites.
“Baba Ibro has gone, but his legacy must live,” Governor Ododo said.
Governor Ododo extended condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the people of Omala Local Government Area, the Igala Kingdom and the entire state, praying that Almighty Allah would forgive the late governor’s shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
He also charged the family to preserve the values and good name of their patriarch, noting that sustaining a legacy requires commitment, sacrifice and unity.
The late Alhaji Ibrahim Idris served as the Governor of Kogi State from May 29, 2003 to January 2012 making him the longest-serving governor in the history of the state after winning the March 2008 re-run election.
He remained influential in politics and business after leaving office until his death on September 20, 2026 at the age of 77 in the United Kingdom.
