“I lost a friend, colleague and confidant” – Dogara
“Buba was a great legislator and we all will miss his diligence, humility and sagacity” – Lasun
“Buba embodied transparency, credibility, gentility and generosity” – Gbajabiamila
The House of Representatives on Wednesday held a special session in honour of the departed deputy majority leader, Hon. Umar Buba Jibril who died on Thursday, March 29th.
The two chambers of national assembly have on Tuesday suspended the plenary to honour their colleagues that were claimed by the inevitable.
The session which was presided over by the speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara had several colleagues appraising the good deeds of Buba and asked God to forgive him and grant him eternal rest.
In his reaction, Hon. Chika described Hon Buba as a great leader who will be missed by everyone that has come in contact with him. He also said the death is a lesson for all the political office holders to “change from doing what they want to what people want”.
He said, “Mr. Speaker, the death of Buba is no doubt a great loss for all of us. Buba was a great leader, friend and brother to a lots of us and we will forever miss him till we leave the earth.
“But Mr. Speaker and Honourable colleagues, the death of Buba is a great lesson for all of us. Who knows who will be next? This means we public office holders should desist from doing what we want to what people want. We must build legacies that will make our names to continue living,” he added.
Minority whip, Hon Binta Bello who wept profusely while talking, read the condolence letter sent by the Common Wealth Parliament where Buba was also an executive.
She said since she lost her husband, Buba has been there for her and she has become part of Buba’s family.
The Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila described his departed Deputy as a man of humility, gentility and person teacher to him.
“Buba embodied transparency, credibility, gentility and generosity. Buba was a legislator of the people, for the people and by the people. For three years, I served next to a person who has taught me a lot without saying a word.
“Mr. Speaker valedictory in its own means an avenue where people gathered to pay last respect about him. My visitation to Lokoja really baffled me, not because of his family but the concerns of the millions of people he represented.
“Also important is that Buba’s first child who is a graduate needs a job. I implore the leadership of this house and every other member to use their influence to secure the young Buba a job,” Gbajabiamila concluded.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuff who represents Irepodun/Olorunda/Orolu/Osogbo Federal constituency enumerated his fears which border on legacies politicians must build as death can come knocking anytime.
His contributions go thus; “Buba was a great legislator and we all will miss his diligence, humility and sagacity. May his soul rest in peace.
“My fear is that we Nigerian politicians don’t take care of our private lives. Also my fear is that the man that died was 58 and in the next few months, I’ll also be 58.
“My fear is becoming real because in the space of three years we have lost six Honourable members and three senators. Only two of them were in their sixties while the rest were in their fifties.
“Many writers have asserted that you don’t reach your peak in Nigeria until you’re in your sixties but these are the people dying now.
Calling the session to an end, the speaker, Hon. Dogara said, Buba’s passion and experience were greatly integral to the legislative institution and will be greatly missed.
“He has served the good people of Kogi state rising to the speakership before his sojourn to the House of Representatives where he until his death the Deputy Leader of the house.
“For me personally, I have lost another brother, friend, colleague and confidant whose contribution to the effective leadership of the house were inestimable.
“In conclusion, it is no doubt this is a trying time for all of us as we lost two fine gentlemen and soldiers of democracy to the cool hand of death. May their souls rest in peace”.
The house adjourned to Thursday.
