Reps pay tribute to five fallen colleagues

By Msugh Ityokura

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas Tuesday led other lawmakers in the House to pay tribute on their fallen colleagues who passed on while in active service to the nation.

Abbas said the collective legacy of the late lawmakers compels the House to remember that authority on earth is neither a birthright nor an end in itself, but a sacred trust borrowed for a moment in history.

“The passing of Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, affectionately called “Ijaya”, Hon. Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga, Hon. Isa Dogonyaro, Hon. Olaide Adewale Akinremi, lovingly referred to as “Jagaban”, and Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, fondly dubbed “The Youngest”, left a pain in our hearts and a void in our deliberations” Abbas said as he presided over the session during plenary.

According to the Speaker, “each served with distinction, passion, and tireless dedication to their country and constituents. Although their voices now fall silent, the ideals they championed continue to resonate within these walls and the communities they tirelessly served and uplifted.

“Ijaya’s unwavering advocacy for women’s empowerment and education transformed countless lives in Ogun State. Her electoral triumphs were only surpassed by her generosity of spirit and her willingness to nurture emerging leaders.

“Danbuga exemplified quiet humility: though his tenure was brief, his devotion to Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency was steadfast, proving that true impact rests not on years served but on the courage shown each day. Dogonyaro brought rigorous integrity to every committee he served, from national security to public health, reminding us that leadership often speaks most powerfully through action rather than words.

“Jagaban’s entrepreneurial vision united commerce and community service, illustrating how public office can ignite innovation for the common good. And Ekene, whose youthful vigour on the football field shaped his legislative zeal, taught us that the spirit of teamwork and resilience is as vital in the Chamber as on the pitch” He said in tribute to the deceased.

Abbas said “It becomes imperative that we seize every opportunity presented to us. Each sunrise brings a new beginning, and with it, the chance to impact lives around us. We must do so with purpose, fully aware that the laws we craft and the policies we propose today will mould the destinies of those very children sitting among us”.

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He extended the House’ condolences to families of the departed and pledged that the memories of the departed will not merely fade on marble plaques but will endure in the lives transformed by their work.

“May you find solace in the knowledge that their service enriched this nation and that their unfinished dreams will guide us forward” the speaker said.

The Speaker urged the House to honour the sacrifice of the former colleagues by renewing its vigour to legislate with compassion, oversee with integrity, and govern with humility.

Besides, he urged the parliament to let every motion passed, every debate it engages in and every decision taken should resonate with the values the departed lived and died for.

The House took a moment to honour the five deceased Members by reading their biographies, celebrating their accomplishments, and recollecting the legacies they left behind as it invited tributes from Members who spent time with them in the chamber, during committee meetings and in informal sessions as friends.Reps pay tribute to fallen colleagues.