- Tinubu, Akpabio, governors, Ganduje, others mourn
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, is dead.
Na’Abba, who battled an undisclosed ailment died at an Abuja hospital in the early hours of yesterday.
He was 65.
He was initially flown abroad for medical treatment before returning to Nigeria after several months
His body was interred at the Dandolo ýCemetery, Goron-Dutse in Gwale Local Government Area in Kano shortly after being flown into the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The body was received by family members, friends and top government functionaries who conveyed it to the Emir’s palace for a funeral prayer at 5.30 pm. Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zahradeen conducted the service.
Na’Abba’s body was buried at Dandolo ýCemetery, Goron-Dutse in Gwale Local Government Area of the state.
Some of the prominent personalities at the funeral prayer included Vice President Kashim Shettima; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam and Senator representing Kano South Senatorial District, Abdulrahman Kawu-Sumaila.
Others were former governors of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Jigawa State former governor Sule Lamido and some members of the state and National Assembly were also present.
The former speaker, who represented Kano Municipal Federal constituency in 1999, took over from Salish Buhari, who vacated the seat following forgery allegations against him.
Born September 27, 1958, to the family of Alhaji Umar Na’Abba, a businessman in the Tudun Wada area of Kano City, Na’Abba was a political scientist, a policy architect and a visiting lecturer at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University(ABU), Zaria in 1979.
His early education was at Jakara Primary School, Kano where he earned his First School Leaving Certificate in 1969.
He later attended Rumfa College, Kano for his West African School Certificate and was also at the School of Preliminary Studies, Kano, between 1974 and 1976, before gaining admission into ABU in October 1976.
Na’Abba completed a postgraduate programme on Leadership and Good Governance at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, United States in 2004.
Reps : He was courageous lawmaker
The House of Representatives described its late Speaker Na’abba as a courageous and passionate lawmaker.
It said the Kano State-born politician made remarkable contributions to the development of the Legislature in the country.
The House added in a statement by its spokesman, Akin Rotimi, that Na’Abba was a special breed who showed leadership and kept faith with it long after his exit.
The statement reads in part: “Rt. Hon. Na’Abba was a passionate and courageous parliamentarian-cum-public servant who made remarkable contributions to the development of the legislative arm of government and indeed the entire country.
“Rt. Hon. Ghali Na’Abba was a special breed as a lawmaker. He showed leadership as Speaker of the 4th House. He inspired members of the House under his leadership in many ways. Furthermore, he championed the first and only successful veto of a sitting president, leading to the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“Long after his exit from the parliament, he remained active politically and continued to encourage and motivate us all.
”As the second substantive Speaker in our 4th Republic, he was central to the rebuilding of the Legislative arm of government to play its constitutional role in our democratic journey after a long period of military intervention in the polity.
“Amongst other achievements, he led the design of an effective framework and processes for the conduct of parliamentary business as we know it today. It is on this foundation that subsequent Speakers have continued to build upon.
“The idea of a Legislative Agenda for the House is known to have been birthed during his leadership of the 4th House of Representatives.
“He is also reputed to have worked for a robust defence of the independence of the legislature, passage of impactful resolutions and landmark laws to ensure effective service delivery and people-driven development as Presiding Officer of the Green Chamber.
“The demise of the former number four citizen who spent his life serving our dear country would, therefore, be sorely felt in Nigeria and beyond where he led several international parliamentary bodies.”
The House commiserated with all members of the National Assembly, the Na’Abba family and the people of Kano ”over this heavy loss.”
Tinubu, Atiku, Ganduje, Kwankwaso, others pay tributes
President Bola Tinubu; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Governor Abba Yusuf(Kano) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas were the first set of eminent Nigerians to mourn the passing of Na’Abba.
Others include Senate Deputy President Barau Jibrin; Deputy Speaker. Benjamin Kalu; All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje; Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu; Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; as well as former Senate Presidents Ahmad Lawan and David Mark.
Others were immediate past APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu; Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State Mariya Mahmoud; and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Chibudom Nwuche.
Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, recalled that Na’Abba in his lifetime “stoutly defended the functionality and role of the legislature in the country.”
He expressed his sympathy to the Na’Abba family, the government and the people of Kano State over the loss. He prayed for the repose of the soul of the politician.
“President Tinubu expresses profound grief at the loss, recalling the contributions of the late ex-lawmaker to nation-building through legislation, advocacy, and policy.
“The President recalls Speaker Na’Abba’s determined struggle to defend the functionality and role of the legislature in governance, describing him as a disciplined and resolute politician.
“President Tinubu prays for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those who mourn this painful loss,”, the statement read.
Na’Abba was true
democrat, said Yusuf, Bello
Kano State Governor Yusuf said Na’Abba would be remembered by all for his “contributions to the sustenance of democracy in the country.”
He commiserated with the people of the state over the death of the Speaker whom he described as “a democrat, who worked relentlessly to ensure the thriving of democracy, good governance, respect for rule of law and championing the course of the common man.”
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The governor added in a statement by his Director-General, Media and Publicity, Bature Tofa, that Na’Abba’s death had “created a wide vacuum difficult to fill not only in the extended Na’Abba family and Kano State but in the entire country. “
He also commiserated with the Na’Abba family, his political associates, the National Assembly and the people of Kano over the loss. .
Yusuf’s counterpart in Kogi State, Bello, lamented what he called the “unfortunate demise of a stalwart figure in Nigeria’s legislative history.”
Conveying his condolences to Yusuf and the entire people of Kano, Bello acknowledged ”Na’Abba’s influence as one of the country’s most impactful and revered national legislators.”
Ex-Speaker will be
sorely missed, says Atiku
Former vice president Atiku, who also expressed shock, said that Na’Abba would be sorely missed for the inestimable roles he played in our national development.
“I join the good people and governments of Kano State to mourn the demise of this towering political figure,” he said.
Abbas, Kalu salute
‘finest legislator’
Speaker Abbas and his deputy Kalu described Na’Abba as one of the nation’s finest legislators.
Abbas expressed sadness over the demise of the former Speaker, adding that he was a “dedicated, committed and patriotic Nigerian who served his fatherland with zeal.”
He recalled with nostalgia, how Na’Abba had an eventful tenure as the Speaker of the 4th House, noting that his legislative exploits shaped Nigeria’s democracy.
Kalu, who also expressed shock said that Na’ Abba was a “ parliamentarian with unusual legislative acumen and zest.”
Commiserating with the family of the former speaker and other political associates, the deputy speaker enjoined them to be comforted by the fact that he (Na’ Abba) lived his life serving Nigeria and humanity.
Ganduje, Adamu mourn APC National Chairman Ganduje and his immediate predecessor, Abdullahi Adamu described the late Speaker as a thoroughbred politician and legislator who meant well for the country..
“His rich experiences and doggedness even when faced with the risk of impeachment were contributory to whatever achievements we recorded at the National Assembly today.
“He diligently served Nigeria. His wit, intellect, diligence and warm personality were legendary,” said Ganduje
Adamu, who regretted the loss, said the Speaker of the 8th National Assembly, would be remembered for his efforts at deepening and strengthening democracy through quality legislative processes and engagements.
”His legacies as a thoroughbred democrat and legislator will continue to guide our democracy in the years that lay ahead,” he said.
*Akpabio, Barau, Bamidele, Lawan, Mark: Nigeria lost true democrat lament
Senate President Akpabio, two of his predecessors—Lawan and Mark— as well as Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also expressed sadness at the death of the Na’Abba.
Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, said Na’Ábba, was a patriot and true democrat.
He said that it was saddening that the nation lost him at this time in its history.
Akpabio added that the National Assembly members and other Nigerians would continue to hold the former Speaker in “high esteem’ and remember him as “one politician who practised what you preached.”
His deputy, Jibrin recalled that Na’Abba promoted and defended legislative independence during his era as the Speaker of the House.
“Throughout his tenure as speaker of the House of Representatives and even after he promoted and defended the country’s Constitution. This was what endeared the late Speaker to all,” he said.
Also, Lawan and Mark said the death of Na’Abba has left an irreparable void in the political and governance landscape of our nation.
They described the late Speaker as one of the best and fertile minds in the political class who ”stood to be counted when it mattered.”
Leader of the Senate described Na’Abba as an astute, fearless and progressive legislator, who stood against the interference of the Executive between 1999 and 2003 in the activities of the National Assembly.
According to him, Na’Abba also committed himself to the principle of Separation of Powers and promoted the rule of law when he served as Speaker.
Tanko Yakassai, Kano residents lament
Residents of Kano and an elder statesman Tanko Yakassai said the demise of Na’Abba was not only a huge loss to the state but to the entire nation.
They said the late Speaker would be remembered for his passion for education, the rule of law and the development of the country.
Yakassai described the death of Na’Abba as shocking and devastating.
”Ghali is my son; he grew up to hold the position of authority, and his
renowned principles on separation of power made him a speaker’s speaker.
“He died when his services are needed most,” he said in Kano.
Another resident and federal civil service director, Abdullahi Nura, said: “The Late Na’Abba always encouraged people to live in peace with one another and stand by the truth,”
Malam Aliyu Aminu, former party ward chairman of the deceased, described the former Speaker as a philanthropist who assisted the poor and the needy in improving their social and economic well-being.
Also, Ashiru Abubakar, a former lawmaker, said that the late politician always ensured peace and unity among people.
Alhaji Ismail Sani, a schoolmate of the deceased, said he received the news with sadness. He described Na’Abba as “a humble and pious leader whose conduct and character was to service humanity.”
Salihu Tanko-Yakassai, a Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to the APC national chairman, said that Na’Abba was a great politician who dedicated his life to the development of the state and the country as a whole.
