Deceased MP was a man of integrity – Deputy Speaker

Long serving Member of Parliament, Aimable Nibishaka, who died suddenly after collapsing in his home while watching television, on Monday evening, has been described as a man of integrity. His death was officially announced yesterday evening by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Denis Polisi, saying that doctors are yet to reveal the exact cause of death. “He has been one of the most hardworking MPs- a great representative who felt and spoke out the needs of his country,” Polisi said in a phone interview. The Deputy Speaker added that Nibishaka will be remembered for his vast role in promoting various areas of development. “Everybody who worked with Nibishaka will tell you that he was a man of integrity and dignity, he was the kind who would socialise with people of different capacities starting from drivers to his bosses,” Polisi said. Nibishaka worked with Polisi from the time they were still in Burundi as refugees before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “While in Burundi, he served as a teacher and later worked in several government agencies. He was at one time the Director of the Bureau of Studies and Secondary Education Curriculum Development (BEPES) of Burundi where he was my boss,” said Polisi. He added that Nibishaka had a way of making everyone smile and that he was always referred to as the most honest man. The late Nibishaka worked in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and the Ministry of Infrastructure under different capacities before he joined the Parliament in 2003. MP Nura Nikuze who worked with him at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and later on in Parliament, described him as a man with high leadership skills. “He had love for everyone and he would always be remembered as someone who had solutions to any problem that came his way,” Nikuze said. She added that she once worked with Nibishaka in Burera District where the deceased originates from and noted that, he was a famous and very friendly person. Nibishaka has been the Chairperson of Monitoring and Evaluation Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. Born on July 07, 1942 in Burera District, Nibishaka holds a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy and Arts, Roman Philosophy. Before becoming the Headmaster of Mutana College, Bururi Province, Burundi, Nibishaka served as a French and History teacher from 1965 to 1967. He was later made the Headmaster of the Athénée of Bujumbura. In 1976, Nibishaka was appointed the Director of the Bureau of Studies and Secondary Education Curriculum Development (BEPES) a post he held up to 1994 when he returned to Rwanda. Upon his return to Rwanda, Nibishaka became the Director General in the Ministry of Family and Women Promotion and in 1997, he was made National Program Director, Shelter in the ministries of Gender and Local Government. Between February and October 2004, the deceased served as the facilitator of Decentralisation between the Ministry of Local Government and the European Union, a post he held until he was elected Member of Parliament. He retained his parliamentary seat in 2008 on the Rwanda Patriot Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) ticket.Nibishaka’s burial details are yet to be released. Ends