Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, Thursday said the death of Chief (Mrs) Elizabeth Ivase, a Second Republic Education Minister, is huge loss to Nigeria.
A statement signed by Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Terver Akase in Makurdi, reveals that the late Chief Ivase, a holder of Tiv traditional title, Penda’tyo u Tiv, and Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) had served in the former President Shehu Shagari government as the minister of education in the 1980’s.
Ortom stressed that her death was a huge loss to Benue state and the country, adding that she was a caring mother and a woman of distinction, who had an illustrious career in public service at all levels of governance.
“Chief Ivase was an epitome of womanhood, a foremost politician, eminent person, experienced administrator and community leader.
“She was kind-hearted, humble and dedicated her life to the service of God and humanity.
“As a trailblazer, Ivase set records with her outstanding performance while serving in various capacities, including being a two-time commissioner in Benue state and a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read.
The governor said Ivase before her death mentored the younger generation while championing girl-child education and women’s rights in general.
“The death of Ivase has created a vacuum which will be difficult to fill.”
He urged the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that their daughter had lived a fulfilled life with numerous contributions to the development of her fatherland.
Ortom prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the entire Orvihi-Ivase family as well as Mbayion community in Gboko local government area the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
