There was an outpouring of emotions and a drop of tears on Tuesday as lawmakers and family members took turns to speak at the valedictory session in honour of deceased members of the 10th House of Representatives.
At least five members of the 10th House of Representatives have died since the proclamation of the present Assembly on June 13, 2023.
They include: Hon.Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, Deputy Chief Whip, who died in January 2025; Hon. Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga from Sokoto state, who passed on in October 2023; Hon. Isa Dogonyaro (Jigawa), who passed away in May 2024; Hon. Olaide Adewale Akinremi(Oyo), who died in July 2024; and Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams (Kaduna), who passed away in July 2024.
Opening the floor for eulogies, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen urged lawmakers to draw strength from the example of their deceased colleagues and recommit themselves to the ideals they upheld as the members mourn their departed friends.
“Honourable Colleagues, the passing of Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, affectionately called “Ijaya”, Hon. Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga, Hon. Isa Dogonyaro, Hon. Olaide Adewale Akinremi, lovingly referred to as “Jagaban”, and Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, fondly dubbed “The Youngest”, left a pain in our hearts and a void in our deliberations.
“Each served with distinction, passion, and tireless dedication to their country and constituents. Although their voices now fall silent, the ideals they championed resonate within these walls and the communities they tirelessly served and uplifted.
“Their collective legacy compels us to remember that our authority here on earth is neither a birthright nor an end, but a sacred trust borrowed for a moment in history. As the American philosopher William James admonished, “the greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.”
“In closing, we beseech the Almighty to grant eternal rest to these noble souls, to console those who grieve, and to inspire us, both young and old, to carry forth their torch of public service into a brighter tomorrow. Amen,” Abbas said.
Speaking on the life and times of one of the deceased lawmakers, Dogonyaro, the House Deputy Minority Leader, Ali Madaki (NNPP, Kano), who struggled to hold back his tears, described the late Jigawa lawmaker as a financial expert who was averse to corruption.
He said, “Dogonyaro studied Economics at Bayero University, Kano and was the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS/Malaria and Tuberculosis. His death on May 10, 2024, remains a tragic moment to many of us who knew him.”
Former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, who spoke for Dogonyaro’s family, said the deceased lawmaker hated corruption in all its shades.
“I knew Dogonyaro from childhood. He was a man of high integrity. What led him to work at the EFCC was his hatred for corruption. He promoted justice and fairness throughout his lifetime,” Sirika said.
For the late Hon. Ekene Adams, whose brief biography was written by the House Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi, there was an outpouring of emotions by those who spoke.
“Ekene grew up in Kaduna. He had a Muslim father from Kaduna State and a mother from Anambra. He married a Yoruba woman. He was greatly admired for his integrity, selflessness and service,” Ozodinobi said.
Son of the deceased, Kelvin, also described his father as a man “whose life was defined by service”, saying, “I do believe that his impact would be greatly felt. He saw football as a sport and a platform to unite people.”
Former Speaker Patricia Etteh, who spoke for the family of the late Deputy Chief Whip Onanuga, described the late lawmaker as a hero whose outstanding achievements cannot be forgotten.
“She was always willing to give a helping hand, and she was someone I admired a lot. She became the leader of the South-West caucus, and it is not easy to be a leader in the South-West,” Etteh said.
Drawing the curtains close, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu urged lawmakers to ensure their fallen colleague’s sacrifices and legacies were not in vain and woven into the fabric of the nation’s democracy.
“As we reflect on their lives, let us remember their commitment to the ideals we may no longer resonate with in these hallowed halls, but their spirit continues to hold dear: justice, equality, and the pursuit of a better future for all. Their voices inspire us to strive for excellence and to uphold the values they cherished.
“In this moment of remembrance, let us also take the opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to honour their memory through our actions. Let us carry forward their vision and strive to create a society that reflects the principles for which they fought tirelessly,” he added.
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