Lawan: Uwajumogu's Death a Painful Loss to N'Assembly ...N'Assembly to suspend plenary over senator's demise

Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday described the death of Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu as a big loss to the ninth National Assembly.

The National Assembly may also today suspend plenary over the demise of the ranking senator, whose sudden death occurred at his Abuja residence yesterday.

This is just as some senators yesterday mourned the death of their colleague representing the Imo North senatorial district. 

 

A statement issued on behalf of the Senate president by his Media Adviser, Ola Awoniyi, said Senator Uwajumogu's sudden death is shocking and a painful loss to the ninth National Assembly "where he always made robust contributions to the debates and other activities of the upper legislative chamber. He will be greatly missed by all of us his colleagues and staff of the Senate."

He expressed shock and sadness over the tragic news of the death of Uwajumogu.

While commiserating with the family of the deceased Senator and the government and people of Imo State over the tragic loss, Lawan also recalled that Uwajumogu was full of life at the Senate Chamber last Tuesday, which made the news of his death even more difficult to take.

According to him, "God gives and takes in line with his supreme sovereignty, so we cannot question His will but only to pray that God Almighty will comfort his loved ones and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

The National Assembly which is expected to proceed on Christmas break today may however not hold plenary in the two chambers as a mark of respect for late Senator Uwajumogu, who until his death, was Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity.

The two chambers may only sit briefly to take vote and proceedings of yesterday’s plenary before the Senate and House Leaders will formally announce the senator's death, and in line with the tradition of the Assembly, call for the suspension of plenary for the day.

Meanwhile, some senators, upon hearing the news of the death of their colleague, who was said to have been ill for some time yesterday, expressed sadness over his untimely death.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described the death of Senator Uwajumogu as a huge loss to Nigeria, his constituents and in particular Imo State.

 "I am saddened by his death. It is very sad that he died at this time. Ben was simply a good fellow, an erudite legislator, a fine gentleman, a loving husband and father. He is indeed a Senator of Nigeria, and very patriotic. He straddled the Senate isles beyond partisan inclinations. We shall sorely miss him," Abaribe said.

On his part, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, described as shocking the news of his colleague's death.

Ndume said he was personally touched by Uwajumogu's demise because he had developed personal relationship with him since their days in the eighth Senate.

 

 "He came in when I was the Senate Leader in the eighth Senate, and we developed an interpersonal relationship. He was a gentle fellow, humble and will be sorely missed.

According to him, his constituents in Imo North where he rose through the ranks politically to become a senator will also miss him as well as the National Assembly.

Also reacting, Senator Smart Adeyemi said the country would miss the valuable contributions of the late senator to the country's political development.

He said with the little relationship he had with Uwajumogu as a senator, "he was a forthright Senator who was so concerned about the wellbeing of  his constituents in Imo North as well as other Nigerians."

Senator Elisha Abbo, in his reaction, said: “I can confirm that my colleague and brother Ben Uwajumogu has left us to be with the Lord, and this calls for sober reflection.

“It is a clear indication that this world is like a market place, and when you come you will go back home. Ben has come to the market place; he has behaved well and gone back to account for his good deeds on earth. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”