By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives will hold a valedictory session in honour of Fourth Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, CFR, on Thursday February 22, 2024.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that former Speaker Na’Abba died on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
In a statement by the House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, on Wednesday in Abuja, he disclosed that the session which is scheduled for 11:00am at the House of Representatives Wing of the National Assembly Complex, will be presided over by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, with other Members of the Green Chamber expected in attendance.
The statement reads: “Also expected at the ceremony are members of the family of the Late former Speaker, former Presiding Officers and Principal Officers of the House of Representatives, former legislators, as well as other invited dignitaries.
“A Valedictory Session in Nigeria’s House of Representatives is customarily held to herald the end of an Assembly. In very special circumstances however, the House could designate sitting on a specific legislative day as a ceremony in honour of anyone considered deserving.
“The foremost statesman who passed on at the age of 65, was a passionate and courageous public servant who spent his life in service to the country. He made remarkable contributions to the development of the legislature and has been described as one among a special breed of Nigerian lawmakers.
“A Kano-born politician, Rt. Hon. Na’Abba served in the crucial office of Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, before fate thrust on him the leadership of the House on July 29, 1999, as the 7th indigenous Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives.
“Ahead of the ceremony, the House has, on Wednesday, adopted a motion 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 pursuant to Order Six, Rule 4(1)(viii) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives”.
Naijablitznews.com reports that Thursday’s Valedictory Session will be the first to be held in the life of the 10th House, a high honour fitting for the late former Speaker.