LIVE UPDATES
The House of Representatives is to hold a valedictory session on Thursday, February 22, to honor the late Fourth Assembly Speaker, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, who passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen will preside over the session which will hold by 11 am at the House of Representatives Wing of the National Assembly Complex.
Members of the late former Speaker's family, former Presiding Officers and Principal Officers of the House of Representatives, former legislators, and other invited dignitaries will grace the ceremony.
Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi, explained that the valedictory session is a customary event that holds to mark the end of an Assembly.
Hon. Na’Abba had passed away at the age of 65, and described as a passionate and courageous public servant who dedicated his life to serving the country. He was one of Nigeria's exceptional lawmakers and reported to have made significant contributions to the development of the legislature.
It is worthy of note that he was born in Kano and had served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations before becoming the 7th indigenous Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives on July 29, 1999.
In preparation for the ceremony, the House adopted a motion on Wednesday, moved by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), and seconded by the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), permitting the admittance of visitors into the Chamber on Thursday. This is in accordance with Order Six, Rule 4(1)(viii) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.
