Senator Fred Brume died yesterday, Tuesday the 15th of 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan, Senators Pius Ewherido, Roland Owie and Francis Okpozo, Wednesday, condoled Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the people of Delta State and the immediate family of the late Senator Fred Brume, on the passing on of the Senator on Tuesday. Jonathan said he was saddened by Brume’s sudden demise.

Similarly, Senator Ewherido, Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, representing Delta Central, said the late Brume was a vibrant Senator. He described him as an intelligent gentleman of rare intellect.

Former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Owie and Senator Francis Okpozo also described the Brume’s death as a sad loss to the country.

President Jonathan, in a statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, said Chief Brume was a detriblised politician who stood for the unity of Nigeria throughout his lifetime.

It read in part: “As Deltans and Nigerians mourn the illustrious Urhobo leader, President Jonathan conveys his heart-felt condolences to his family, the Government of Delta State, and the people of the Delta Central Senatorial Zone whom he ably represented in the Senate.

“As they mourn his death, President Jonathan urges Chief Brume’s family, relatives and political associates to be comforted by the knowledge that he lived a worthy and exemplary life, leaving behind worthy legacies that will assure his place in posterity”.

Senator Ewherido, in a statement, said: “I have lost one of my predecessors in office, Senator Brume, a very intelligent gentleman of rare intellect. An outstanding engineer, profound industrialist, vibrant Senator and committed nationalist. A very painful loss.

“Join me to commiserate with the family and pray for the repose of his soul.”

Senator Owie, who spoke to News men, said: “Brume is a great Nigerian. Between 1999 and 2003, when we were in the Senate together, I saw in him a great supporter from the South-South geo-political zone. He was a man of peace and I call him Senator of Peace because he is always preaching peace.”

Owie recalled that each time he flared up in the Senate during their time and calling for the impeachment of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, it was Senator Brume, who came to him to plead that he should calm down, and “no matter how Obasanjo was then, that we should manage him.”

He said: “Brume was a Christian. You can see it in him and it was because of his position that we should manage a situation even when it is bad that I call him ‘Senator let’s manage’. That was the nickname I gave him. His death is shocking to me.”

Senator Okpozo said: “Brume’s death is a sad thing. He was one of those who brought development to Delta State when he was appointed Managing Director of the Delta Steel Company, Delta State. He built it up to standard before trouble started and disrupted the good works he was doing there.

“He is a dependable politician. He fought relentlessly to defend his people and Delta State. He is a soft-spoken man and exhibited astonishing intelligence in handling matters. He was always on the side of pacifying people when there was eruption in the political field.

“Brume’s death is heartbreaking news to the people of Delta State. We pray that God will give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”