Former members of the House of Representatives, On Thursday, attended a valedictory session on the House floor to honour the late Speaker Ghali Na’Abba.
Mr. Na’Abba served as the Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2003 and passed away in December 2023 at the age of 65.
Notable attendees included the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, former Deputy Speakers Lasun Yusuff and Emeka Ihedioha, among others.
Gbajabiamila, in his speech, described the late legislator as a “pathfinder for democracy,” noting that “he helped build the institution of democracy at the return of democracy.”
“I appear here with mixed emotions. I take solace in the fact that we are here not to mourn but to celebrate Ghali Na’Abba. We do not mourn the life he lived. He lived a very good life of service.
“With his passing, our nation has lost his talent and capacity to speak the truth to power as he saw fit,” he said.
Masari, who succeeded Na’Abba as speaker, described the late legislator as a good man.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas stated that the 10th House would pass legislation to cement Na’Abba’s legacy.
“We in the House pledge to expedite the passage of critical legislation that will empower the Executive and support the President in tackling our nation’s economic challenges.
“Through constructive partnership grounded in dialogue and cooperation, we can address the present difficulties and lay out the blueprint for a new Nigeria that is the economic powerhouse of the region and the world,” he said.
Na’Abba’s family also attended the valedictory session.
Valedictory Session: Gbajabiamila, Masari, and others pay tribute to Na’Abba
