Mr Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, on Monday, expressed grief over the death of the elder statesman and Fourth Republic federal lawmaker, Sen. Joseph Waku.
Dogara, in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Turaki Hassan, said Nigeria has lost a fine gentleman and a patriot, who believed in the unity of the country.
He described the late elder statesman as a man, who contributed a lot to the development of Nigeria and democracy.
According to the speaker, Waku stood firm for truth and defended the interest of the common man at all times.
‘’I recall that during his sojourn at the National Assembly where he represented Benue North West Senatorial District at the start of the Fourth Republic, the late Waku distinguished himself.
‘’He was a parliamentarian who, at every opportunity, identified with the ordinary man and the downtrodden in the society.
‘’He was always mindful of his duties, the wellbeing of the people he represented, and the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.
‘’We have, indeed, lost a man of courage, a respected elder statesman and great leader, who spent greater part of his life in the service of the people,and left behind a legacy of honour.
‘’My deepest condolences to the bereaved family, as well as the government and people of Benue, over this great loss,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Waku died on Sunday at the age of 73.