The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has described as ‘a rude shock’ the death of Dr. Yima Sen whose sad event took place in Abuja on Tuesday October 06, 2020.
MBF in a condolence message issued by the national publicity secretary of the Forum, Dr Isuwa Dogo, Sunday said the demise “brought feelings of grave loss as we reminisce about his active participation with other organisations and human rights bodies to emancipate ethnic nationalities from the bondage of injustice.”
“We recall with melancholy Dr Sen’s indelible footprints in the activities of our Forum when he served as the National Secretary of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF). The unsurpassed energies he brought to bear in the daily discharge of his duties, in collaboration with other national officers, assisted tremendously in creating a separate identity for our ethnic nationalities that were and still victims of violence and various forms of discriminatory practices.”
The Forum said, as an academic of global repute and an activist of an insurmountable standing, Dr. Sen unleashed his inexhaustible intellectual energies in beaming constant searchlight on the myriad of forces working against the development of the Nigerian nation.
Early in life, Dr Yima Sen was appointed Special Assistant to Dr Chuba Okadigbo, who was then the Special Adviser to former President Shehu Shagari on Political Matters during the Second Republic.
“Apart from engaging in active politics, the Benue-born intellectual giant cum activist who, until his death was a senior academic with the Baze University Abuja, was a well sought after speaker in various forums in recognition of his cerebral disposition.
“As an advocate for peace and development, our former scribe never left anyone in doubt of his commitment to national development and rallying people across ethnic, religious and religious divides for the common good. He saw government as a tool that could be deployed for the overall good of the greater majority.
“In seeking to achieve the advancement of our communities in the Middle Belt Region, the communication specialist was also involved in many organisations aimed at the resolution of issues in a bid to engender and promote peaceful co-existence,” MBF stated.
The Forum wished to express condolences to the people and government of Benue state under the leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom over the loss and prayed to God to console them “over the death of the distinguished and erudite son of the Middle Belt region and grant eternal repose to Dr. Sen’s soul.”