“Our Guy Was A Great Guy” – Ibori Fondly Remembers Segun Awolowo Jnr

“Our guy was a great guy,” declared former Delta State Governor James Ononafe Ibori during a night of tributes for Segun Awolowo Jnr, the widely loved grandson of iconic leader Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo.

Ibori, one of the high-profile figures at the event held at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos State, described Awolowo Jnr as “an embodiment of humility.”

“From his towering lineage, he inherited not just a name but a profound sense of responsibility,” Ibori said, and added “Segun Awolowo Jnr never seemed burdened by his inheritance. He carried the Awolowo name with quiet, unwavering dignity. He moved through corridors of power and public service with a poise that put others at ease.”

Expressing the shock and sorrow at his passing, Ibori added, “The reality of his demise brought profound sadness at the loss of such a good man.”

Awolowo Jnr passed away at 62 on November 20, 2025, while undergoing treatment. He was the sitting President of the National Trade Promotion Organisation, a role to which ECOWAS member states unanimously elected him, making him a central voice in regional trade advocacy. Before this, he served as Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2021.

A people’s man, Awolowo Jnr quietly impacted many lives behind the scenes, with tributes continuing to honor his legacy.

The December 1, 2025, tribute marked the first leg of a final farewell, which will include a wake-keeping service on December 3 at the same venue and a funeral on December 5 at Our Saviour’s Church, Ikoyi, Lagos State.