By Dipo Awojobi – Senate President Bukola Saraki has assured the immediate family of the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Chief James Ocholi, his wife and eldest son of his full support.
Senator Saraki who noted that the uprightness and good works of the late minister will continue to speak in favour of the family in particular and the government and people of Kogi State in general, however urged the family not to see the burial as the end of the road “seeing that the late Ocholi had sufficiently immortalized himself through his courageous and exemplary life style during his brief sojourn on this earthly plane.”
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja said that he was yet to recover from the shock resulting from the loss of such a great Nigerian and one of the leaders of the North Central, adding, “Ocholi’s life, though brief, was dedicated to the service of God and humanity. This single realization ought to cheer us rather than make us shed tears over his sudden transition to the great beyond.
“Yes, it is difficult not to give way to emotions in circumstances of this nature, but his godly qualities give us hope – a hope that should mitigate our anguish. It is painful that he left us when his services were most needed, but we are comforted that he had proved his mettle as a legal luminary and politician to the satisfaction of all,” Saraki stated.
While praying God to grant the souls of the departed eternal life, he assured his children of his support always.
Also yesterday, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki expressed shock over the sudden death of a House of Representatives member representing Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State, Hon. Musa Baba Onwana, describing him as a fine parliamentarian.
Saraki, who noted that the nation has lost one of its best hands in parliamentary business, described the late Onwana as a committed and God-fearing man who lived and served humanity with passion, adding, “ I was shocked and disheartened at the news of the death of Hon. Musa Baba Onwana. His patriotism and love for his constituents endeared him to many. “Onwana lived an exemplary life. As a teacher and a lawmaker, he was so disciplined and faithful in his dealings. We shall sorely miss him.”
The Senate President however urged the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and all members of the House of Representatives, the Nasarawa State Government, the people of Nasarawa/Toto Federal Constituency and the immediate family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that late Onwana lived a good life. He was a man of good faith.
He prayed for the soul of the departed colleague to find rest in the bosom of the Almighty God and his immediate family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.
