NASS holds valedictory session for late Senator Kuta

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

National Assembly has scheduled today to observe a valedictory session in honour of late Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, who until his death, represented Niger East Senatorial District in the Senate.

Following the announcement of his death, both chambers adjourned yesterday’s plenary abruptly following a motion to that effect raised by the Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba.

Adjourning plenary shortly after returning from their two weeks third quarter break, the Senate President, David Mark and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, proceeded separately to sign the condolence register displayed at the National Assembly lobby.

Late Kuta had died early hours of 12th of June, after a brief illness at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos state, and had since been buried in accordance with the Islamic rites.

In the Senate, shortly after its resumption, the Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, moved for the adoption of the votes and proceedings of their last session.

Having adopted the votes and proceedings of their last session, the Senate leader announced the demise of the late Kuta while the Senate was on recess, and moved the motion that the plenary adjourn till today.

“While we were on break, tragedy befell this chamber with the sudden death of our dear colleague. Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character, died on the 12th of this month in Lagos on his way for medical treatment abroad.

“Distinguished Colleagues, may I, in line with our tradition, move that this Senate do adjourn plenary till tomorrow (25th June 2014) in honour of our departed colleague”, the Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba said.

Accordingly, the Senate adopted the motion as put to it for approval by the Senate President, David Mark, who added that the sitting today would be devoted solely for valedictory session in honour of late senator Kuta.

Mark said today’s valedictory session would be graced by the Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu and family members of the late senator.

Shortly after leading other Senator to sign the condolence register, Mark said “In Kuta, Nigeria and indeed the Senate has lost a very patriotic citizen who at all times, joined hands with other patriots to move the country forward through whatever national assignment given to him.

“Specifically, the late Senator Kuta made the Senate committee on Federal Character to be very vibrant and responsive to its legislative responsibilities in terms of making relevant agencies under it to reflect equity in federal appointment and distribution of resources”, he said.