Wike announces N500m support fund for late Senator Mpigi’s family

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has announced a N500 million support fund by the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition for the family of late Senator Barinada Barry Mpigi, declaring that political associates must move beyond tributes to concrete action.

Speaking at a Night of Tribute in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Wike said the fund would be used to establish a foundation providing long-term support for the family and preserving the late senator’s legacy.

“Forming committees for burial is not enough. We must show clearly that we will not abandon the family he left behind,” the minister said.

Wike described Mpigi as a fearless and steadfast ally who remained loyal through the most turbulent political moments, visibly emotional as he recalled the late senator’s unwavering solidarity.

“When we had political challenges, Barry was always coming to my house to show solidarity and commitment. One day, he came very early in the morning, looked at me and said, ‘Master, no matter the situation, I will never leave you,'” Wike said.

He also credited Mpigi with playing a pivotal role in securing the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni — a contribution he described as a lasting gift to the Ogoni people.

The event drew tributes from across party lines. APC chieftain Tony Okocha described Mpigi as “a consummate politician, gentle, friendly and deeply committed,” while former Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Forum, said the late lawmaker’s impact would endure across generations.

“We are not gathered merely because a man has died, but because of the life he lived. Barry died at a time when his services were most needed, but his contributions to Ogoni, Rivers State and Nigeria will never be forgotten,” Abe said.

Senator Osita Ngwu, who served alongside Mpigi in the 10th Senate, recalled a colleague defined by relentless drive. “He was always looking for ways to get things done. He moved key motions, including on the East-West Road, and pursued them with determination,” he said.

In a family tribute, the late senator’s younger brother, Monday Douglas Mpigi, described him as the bedrock of the family and a source of strength for all who knew him.

“He was the rock of our family — very dependable and always there for everyone. He was a safe harbour for people’s worries and joy,” he said, adding that the massive turnout at the tribute was a reflection of the depth of lives his brother had touched.

Senator Allwell Onyesoh, who said he met Mpigi in 1997, described him as a man of unusual resilience who inspired people quietly but powerfully, crediting him with championing key developmental causes with tireless dedication. “He was a workaholic and a soldier’s soldier. I do not know how to say goodbye,” he said.

Late Senator Mpigi, who died on February 19, 2026, at 62, was widely regarded as a grassroots mobiliser and committed public servant. Dignitaries at the event urged his family and supporters to uphold his enduring values of loyalty, service, and generosity.