The Bayelsa State Executive Council, on Friday, held a special valedictory session in honour of late Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff, who served the state and Rivers State in different capacities.
The late technocrat and politician, who died at 68 years, was one-time Secretary to State Government in the old Rivers State during the Rufus Ada-George administration, Commissioner for Education during late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha government and a Senator representing Bayelsa East from 2003-2007.
Until his demise on December 24, 2022, the astute administrator was chairman of the Brass Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as chairman of the party’s reconciliation committee in the state
Speaking inside the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri said the deceased was a pillar of support to his government and an inspiration to many Bayelsans.
Diri stressed that the late Rufus-Spiff never failed in any assignment he was privileged to serve, noting that he helped in the building of the old Rivers State and continued to render selfless service to Bayelsa till he departed.
The governor recalled how he appointed him into the PDP presidential campaign council in the state ahead of the 2023 presidential election, stating that he was ready to make him the face of the campaign in Bayelsa.
He said: “Several offices he held – as Secretary to Government of old Rivers State; he served as Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa East in the National Assembly. He distinguished himself in every office as knowledgeable, diligent, dutiful, incorruptible and civil-minded in all circumstances.”
Governor Diri also directed that his son be given automatic employment in the state civil service.
Speaking on behalf of past Secretaries to State Government, Amb. Boladei Igali described the special valedictory session as a great consolation to the wife and family, saying the services, commitment and loyalty of the deceased to the state and Ijaw nation was second to none.
Also, Prof. Godini Darah, on behalf of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said the group benefited immensely from the late Senator’s contributions to the growth of the region.
Prof. Darah, who is the PANDEF chairman in Delta State,said the group appreciated all his sacrifice to the struggle of the Ijaw nation, adding that he was one of the greatest leaders of PANDEF.
Other speakers, who paid glowing tributes to Rufus-Spiff were Sen. Emmanuel Paulker, Sen. John Brambaifa, a former Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tarila Tebepah, former Speaker in the old Rivers State House of Assembly, Talford Ongolo, state PDP chairman, Mr. Solomon Agwana and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Diriyai Dambo, who spoke on behalf of the cabinet members.
The late Rufus-Spiff will be interred in his hometown, Cameroon-ama in Twon-Brass, headquarters of Brass Local Government Area on Saturday, May 13.