The Senate on Tuesday, adjourned plenary to Wednesday, to hold a valedictory session in honour of a member, Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, who died on Sunday.
This followed a motion by Leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, at plenary as the upper chamber resumed after two weeks Easter break.
Lawan said that it was the practice and convention of the National Assembly to always show respect and honour to a deceased member by adjourning plenary.
He said, “because of the death of our colleague on Sunday, I move a motion that the Senate observes a minute silence and adjourn to Wednesday, April 26.
“Our colleagues will have the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Adeleke in a valedictory session,” he said.
Sen. Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT) seconded the motion.
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that a valedictory session would be held in honour of the Adeleke and advised members to ensure that they dressed appropriately.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of plenary, Saraki described the death of Adeleke as a shock to all the lawmakers.
“I have known him for many years. He was a very patriotic grassroots politician, who had great love for his people.
“He was very friendly in the chambers and loved by everyone.
“His contributions to our debate were that of a statesman. He was a true Nigerian,” he said.
The senate president said that the death of Adeleke was a big loss to the National Assembly, people of Osun and Nigeria.
He advised lawmakers to make out time to relax very well, saying that their job was stressful.
“This work can never finish. We will just play our part and do our best. The most important thing is to make a mark,” he said.
On his part, the Senate Chief Whip, Olushola Adeyeye, urged the lawmakers to live their days well and apply their hearts to wisdom.
“There is only one life and when it expires, all you get from anybody is a minute silence.
“Live happily, pleasantly, doing what you are supposed to do rather than live lazily and die without applying yourself to the best of your ability.”
Also speaking, Sen. Binta Masi (APC-Adamawa) said that the deceased was a “very good fellow’’, who would be missed, because he had created a vacuum’’.
Until his death at 62, Adeleke was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market and he was in the senate for the second time.
He was in the red chamber between 2007 and 2011, representing Osun West senatorial district on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He lost his re-election bid in 2011.
However, Adeleke won the election in 2015 and returned to the chamber, but as a member of All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was also the first elected governor of Osun. (NAN)