The Senate yesterday bade farewell to late Senator Rose Oko in a valedictory session held in her honour on the floor of the Senate chamber.
Senators in mournful mood, dressed in white and back apparels took turn to pay glowing tributes to their late colleague.

The senate majority leader Abdullahi Yahaya after moving the motion for the Senate to move into the valedictory session led others in paying tribute to her.

Yahaya said the session was an opportunity  for  the senators to pay  tribute to their  late  colleague Senator Oko .

He indicated that the Senate could not hold  the session earlier because  of the COVID -19 Pandemic and the annual vacation of the National Assembly.

Yahaya said late Oko was a highly  accomplished  educationist, given her  sterling pedigree in the educational  sector.

“Rose Oko was very  knowledgeable, she was a dependable ally  to me in our  committee  responsibility.” Yahaya said the late senator would be remembered for her brilliance, as he prayed that God would grant her rest.

The senate minority leader Enyinnaya Abaribe, (PDP Abia) expressed concern that the death of senator Oko has brought to four the number of  senators that have died since the inauguration of the 9th Senate.

He said her demise  was an opportunity for them to reflect on their  mortality.

He described her as gentle speaker that  makes great points in her  presentations.

Abaribe described her as a mother that would  be missed by all, noting that  her life was a life  of celebration.

Senator representing Niger State Sabi Abdullahi (APC Niger) described her as simple  and easy going, and a woman of peace.

Abdullahi advocated for the naming of the  headquarters of the Disaporas Commission  after her, given her  sterling  contributions as Chairman of Senate  Committee on Diasporia  and Non Governmental  Organisations (NGO)in  the 8th Senate.

For  Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC Lagos),Rose Oko lived  a very  significant and  robust life.

Tinubu said Oko was the pride of the Senate, a brave  woman who came, saw and conquered.

She described  her as a great loss to humanity.

Other senators, who paid tributes and condoled with the family of the late senator included:

Gershom  Bassey, Bala Na’ Allah, Rochas Okorocha, Sam Egwu, Thompson  Seikibo, Berty Apiafi, Abba  Moro, Chris  Ekpenyong, Stella  Oduah, Theodore  Orji, Kola  Balogun, Uche  Ekwunife,  Chukwuka Utazi, among  others.

In his tribute, President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan expressed his condolence to the  immediate family.

He said the death of Senator Oko was a loss to all, noting that the late senator was productive  and impacted positively  in her state and national  level, hence her life  should be celebrated.

He urged the living to be mindful of supporting her dreams especially  in the educational sector for development of the country.
Lawan said late Oko was very committed to her  responsibility in the Senate hence everyone  who  interated with  her  in different  capacities  gave  a good  testimony  about  her.  He said her commitment  to her senatorial  district  would continue to be a reference to all.

He urged the political elites  to always  come  together despite party  differences and do those  things  that would  benefit  the country in general.

He said  the senate would continue to liase with  the family for the funeral  slated  for November.

The Senate, thereafter, offered  prayers  for  the for the late senator  and observed a minute .

Dignitaries present at the valedictory session included former  President of Senate and Secretary  to Government  of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim Pius, former  Governor  of Cross-River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, former Governor  of Anambra State, Mr Peter  Obi, former Governor  of Akwa-Ibom State, Mr Victor Attah, Minister of Women  Affairs, Pullen Tellen, Minister  of  State (Power), Goddy Agba, among others.