Senate holds valedictory session for late Senator Rose Oko

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.