National Assembly honours Osinowo, Omo-Agege laments death of lawmakers

Reps adopt stricter measure to curb COVID-19 spread
The Senate, yesterday, observed one-minute silence to honour Senator Adebayo Sikiru Osinowo who died on June 15, 2020, after a brief illness at the age of 64.

The upper chamber, which was presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, adjourned plenary till tomorrow, July 1, 2020, in accordance with its tradition.

The motion for adjournment was moved by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North) and seconded by the Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) immediately after the adoption of the votes and proceedings by the Senate.

He said: “In accordance with our tradition, I hereby move that the Senate observe a minute silence, adjourn plenary in his honour and suspend all legislative activities till Wednesday, July 1, 2020.”

In the same vein, the House of Representatives yesterday suspended plenary in honour of Osinowo.

It also observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased senator as well as Chief Austin Ogbaburhon from Delta State, who was in the House between 2011 and 2015 and adjourned till tomorrow.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Idris Wase, who presided over proceedings, urged his colleagues to adhere to the physical distancing rule as prescribed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Omo-Agege yesterday went emotional when he lamented the deaths in the Senate as he prayed God to put an end to such tragedies.

The Senate Deputy President, who spoke while presiding over the plenary, said: “It is important we pray that the Almighty God make this the last time I will have to face you to give this kind of statement because we have had too many deaths and we don’t want that any more.”

“This is one death too many, most especially this senator, who is a great guy, a great nationalist and a man who devoted most of his short life fighting for the freedom of Nigerians and for Nigerians to have opportunity to live a better life.

“He was a very stabilising factor as individual in the Lagos State House of Assembly where he served for four terms. That is unprecedented as you can imagine.”

“He is a patriot and has been a pillar of support, especially with us in the leadership that needed to keep this house going.

“His contributions were very impactful not only on behalf of his constituency but indeed of all Nigerians. So, we are going to miss him like we missed our other colleagues.”