Kalu Mourns Professor Gregory Ibe, Describes His Death as a Monumental Loss to Abia, Nigeria

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, has expressed profound sadness over the death of Professor Gregory Ibe, founder and Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State.

Ibe, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 general election in Abia State, was also the visionary behind Innov8 Hub, an innovation and startup incubation centre in Abuja.

In a condolence message through his
Chief Press Secretary, Mr Levinus Nwabughiogu , Kalu described the late professor as a renowned scholar, industrialist, philanthropist, visionary and community leader whose contributions to education, entrepreneurship and community development would remain indelible.

The Deputy Speaker said Ibe was an intellectual giant who regarded education as the greatest instrument of empowerment and demonstrated his conviction by establishing a university designed to educate generations of Nigerians.

He noted that Ibe’s entry into politics was driven by a desire to serve, adding that his death represented a monumental loss to academia, his community, Abia State and Nigeria at large.

Kalu extended his heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s immediate family, the management, staff and students of Gregory University, Uturu, his political associates and all those whose lives were touched by his work.

He also prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul and asked God to grant the bereaved family the strength to endure the loss.

“Please be comforted that his legacy lives on in the thousands of lives he lifted, the institution he built, and the values he stood for,” Kalu said.

“May God grant his family the strength to bear this irreplaceable and irreparable loss,” he prayed.

The Deputy Speaker reaffirmed that Ibe’s contributions to education, philanthropy and community service would continue to inspire future generations.