The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has said the late Senator who represented Rivers South East Senatorial District served his people and country with with honour, dignity and unwavering devotion to duty.

Senator Akpabio made the declaration in his tribute at a funeral service held in honour of the late Senator in the Anglican Church in Koroma Tai in Rivers State.

According to Senator Akpabio, “Senator Barinada Mpigi served his people and his country with honour, with dignity, and with unwavering devotion to duty.

In the hallowed Chamber of the Senate, where the affairs of the nation are debated and determined, his voice was steady, his judgment thoughtful , and his commitment to the welfare of his constituents unmistakable.

According to Senator Akpabio, the late Rivers State Senator served with dignity and with conviction mindful that the lives, hopes, and welfare of many were bound up in how faithfully they served.

“He served with loyalty to his people, with fidelity to his conscience, and with faith in the promise of our nation.

“Though we grieve his loss, we remember him as a man who served with honour, who labored with conviction, and who believed in the future of Nigeria. Nigeria misses him. The Senate mourns him. His people remember him. His service remains stenciled in the tablets of time and in our national archives,” Akpabio said.

Until his demise the late Senator Mpigi who represented Rivers South East in the Senate was the Chairman Senate Committee on Works and was reputed to be one of the most influential, outspoken and dedicated Senator in the Nigerian 10th Senate.

It was a roll call of dignitaries at the funeral service of a political and social activist, Late Lady (Hon) Lawrencia Etuk, held at Holy Family Catholic, Church, Asuna, Etinan Local Government Area.

Late Hon (Mrs) Lawrencia Etuk according to her biography was born in August 1979 to the family of Late Mr and Mrs Raphael Udo Archibong of Nung Nkup Ekong family in Obio Ibiono village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area as the youngest child in the family.

She began her primary education at Government Primary School, Osuk Ediene in Ikono Local Government Area, completed her Senior Secondary School at West Itam and obtained National Diploma in Business Studies from Akwa Ibom state polytechnic, Ikot Osurua.

Her quest for further education took her to the University of Uyo where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Studies. Death however cut her dream short from obtaining a Master’s degree in History and International Studies as she did not live to defend her research work.

Her political career started as a member of Akwa Ibom State Patriotic Front (AKPF) and later became the chapter coordinator of Uyai Iban Akwa Ibom in Etinan Local Government Area. She was also a member, National Council of Women Society (NCWS).

Late Hon Lawrencia Etuk was appointed a Supervisor for Women Affairs during the 2011 Transition Government in Etinan Local Government Council and subsequently served in the elected administration within 2012-2014.

Her last political appointment was Secretary in the 2023/2024 Transition Council in Etinan and ended up being an acting Chairman, Etinan Local Government Area where she oversaw the election of the present executive and legislative council in Etinan Local Government Area.

A Christian of the Catholic faith, she was an active member of Catholic Youth Organisation and after marriage she joined the Catholic Women Organisation. In July 2019, Late Hon Mrs Lawrencia Etuk was found worthy by the Holy Catholic Church and consequently honoured her as a Lady of Saint Mulumba Nigeria where she progressively grew to a 2nd Degree Lady in the honoured Order.

In a condolence message delivered to the family, the chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon Uko Umoh, recalled his days with her in the Transition Committee that midwife the present local administration in Etinan and praised her for her strength of character, loyalty and dedication to duties.

“She was the full definition of a good woman, kind, social and loyal in all ramifications with an impeccable character and influence that was profound.

It saddens our heart and that of the entire Council that such a shinning light has been put off by death at a time it should shine brighter.

As we mourn her untimely exit, we take comfort in knowing that while on earth, she lived a life of purpose and service well pleasing to God and humanity. She will be dearly missed”

Late Hon Lady Lawrencia Etuk who was married in 2003 to Mr Benedict Etuk of Ikot Akpanya in Etinan Local Government Area is survived by three children.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno on Saturday joined numerous dignitaries to pay their last respects to Mama Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at her funeral service held at the Church of Christ in Nations headquarters in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

President Tinubu, in his remarks, described the late Mama Lydia as “a mother of the community, a mother of the state, and a humanitarian.”

Tinubu praised the APC National chairman as “a man of character and intellect” and commended the large turnout of governors, public officials, and dignitaries as a testament to the high regard for both the APC National Chairman and his mother.

“Let this day be one of joy and thanksgiving, even in mourning. The prayer of every mother is that her child succeeds—and you will. God will grant your prayers. Live a dedicated life, serve humanity, and remain faithful to God Almighty.”, Tinubu said.

On his part, Senate President Akpabio praised COCIN’s contributions to the North Central region through schools, clinics, and health centers.

He referenced Prof. Yilwatda’s tribute to his mother, describing her as “a perfect portrait of the virtuous African woman, a true matriarch” who instilled values of humanity, diligence, compassion, and faith. Akpabio commended President Tinubu as “a unifier” who bridges faiths, regions, and political divides, evident from the diverse attendance at the funeral.

Senator Akpabio told President Tinubu that the large turn out of the people who lined up the streets from the airport to the church was a sign that the people of Plateau were happy with the President. “From the airport, I witnessed the youths, women and men line up the streets waving the APC flag to welcome you. This is to show you that they love you and even before the next general elections the entire Plateau is APC,” he said.

Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s presence, stating, “Your esteemed presence means so much to the immediate Yilwatda family and to the people of Plateau State in general.”

He thanked the President for his support in addressing insecurity in Plateau State, noting improvements in security conditions.

“While we are grateful for the honour of your presence at this solemn occasion, we also look forward to welcoming you again soon, Mr. President. We would be delighted if you could visit Plateau State again in the near future to see for yourself the extent to which we have keyed into your Renewed Hope Agenda with the resources available to us”, Mutfwang said.