Reps to hold valedictory session for ex-Speaker Ghali N’abba, Thursday

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives says it’s will on Thursday, February 22, hold a valedictory session in honour of Fourth Assembly Speaker, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba who died on Wednesay, December 27, 2023.
The session scheduled for 11 am at the House of Representatives Wing of the National Assembly Complex, is to be presided over by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen with other Members of the Green Chamber expected in attendance.
Also expected at the ceremony are members of the family of the Late former Speaker, former Presiding Officers and Principal Officers of the House of Representatives, former legislators, as well as other invited dignitaries.
According to Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi, explained that the “Valedictory Session in Nigeria’s House of Representatives is customarily held to herald the end of an Assembly. In very special circumstances, however, the House could designate sitting on a specific legislative day as a ceremony in honour of anyone considered deserving.
“The foremost statesman who passed on at the age of 65, was a passionate and courageous public servant who spent his life in service to the country. He made remarkable contributions to the development of the legislature and has been described as one among a special breed of Nigerian lawmakers.
“A Kano-born politician, Rt. Hon. Na’Abba served in the crucial office of Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, before fate thrust on him the leadership of the House on July 29, 1999, as the 7th indigenous Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives.”
According to him, ahead of the ceremony, the House has, on Wednesday, adopted a motion moved by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), and seconded by the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), permitting the admittance of visitors into the Chamber on Thursday. This is pursuant to Order Six, Rule 4(1)(viii) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.
Thursday’s Valedictory Session will be the first to be held in the life of the Tenth House of Representatives – a high honour fitting for the late former Speaker.