Proceedings of Nigerian Senate of Wednesday, 21st March, 2018

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:42am.

Senator Yele Omogunwa moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 20th March, 2018. Senator Danjuma Laah seconded.


POINT OF ORDER

Senate Leader suspended Order 17 to allow family members, close friends of Late Senator Ali Wakili and former Senators into the Chamber.

Minority Leader seconded the Order cited by Senate Leader.

VALEDICTORY SESSION

The Senate now paid tributes in honour of Late Senator Ali Wakili.

“He was a generous man who helped a lot of people, smart, active member of the Senate and an active member of the party. His absence will be felt and he has left a hole in the Senate. May Allah forgive him and grant him Al Jannah Firdaus.”- Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan.

“We will always remember his good towards his community and the Senate. He has contributed tremendously to the alleviation

of poverty.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

“He was such a jovial person, we will miss him dearly. A day like this must come, one by one we will all go as he has gone. I mourn with his family and I pray that the Lord will comfort us all.”- Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.

“He was a peace maker. May the soul that once occupied the seat covered with the Nigerian flag Rest In Peace.”- Senator Olusola Adeyeye.

“He was a very simple man. I pray that God Almighty grants us the fortitude to bear the loss.”- Senator Philip Aduda.

“Late Senator Ali wakili was a very truthful and blunt individual, he always stood for the truth and made peace with anyone. May his soul Rest In Peace and may Allah continue to comfort his family and everyone of us.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.

“He was a man of excellence, he had compassion for the Senate. He was a great political friend. I pray that Allah grants him Rest in his sleep.”- Senator Danjuma Goje.

“He was a very honest man, he was brutal with the truth. He was also a very proud father who always spoke about his family. May Allah grant the family the strength to deal with their loss.”- Senator Suleiman Nazif

“He was a man that was concerned with the people’s welfare. I learnt from Late Senator Ali Wakili to have a forgiving spirit.”- Senator Isah Misau.


“He was a true Nigerian, very patriotic. He was full of humour. He always spoke of reconciliation even when he had difficulties in Bauchi State. He will be remembered in this Chamber for his truthfulness. May his gentle soul Rest In Peace.”- Senator Lanre Tejuoso.

“Late Senator Ali Wakili was a friend, brother and a true Nigerian. May his soul Rest In Peace.”- Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

“He was a blessed man full of passion, friendships, empathy. He was a good man and whatever he had he shared with everyone. I sympathize with his family, the Senate and the people of Bauchi State for the loss of a good man.”- Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

“He was a man who honoured invitations. Late Senator Ali Wakili would be greatly missed. May his soul Rest In Peace”- Senator Mohammed Hassan.

“I miss Late Senator Ali Wakili, he was a brother and friend. May his gentle soul Rest In Peace.”- Senator Danjuma Laah.

“May Allah grant Late Senator Ali Wakili Eternal Rest.”- Senator Ali Ndume.

“Late Senator Ali Wakili was a good man who shared love with everyone. He was one Senator I had constant communication with. May his soul Rest In Peace.”- Senator Atai Aidoko

“I join everyone in this sad moment. It is a painful incident. May his soul Rest In Peace.”- Senator Binta Masi Garba.

“He was a highly responsible parliamentarian, fiercely bold. Late Senator Ali Wakili would be missed dearly.”-Senator Gbenga Ashafa.

“We should learn from all the lesson of his death and make use of them. May his soul Rest In Peace.”- Senator Adamu Abdullahi.

“Late Senator Ali Wakili was a humble and honest man. We have lost a true friend and a dedicated Legislator.”- Senator Adamu Aliero.


“He was a man who lived up to his names, a man of integrity, honest and sometimes I told him he was stubbornly honest. We should learn from his death. He was a man who lived a fulfilled life. An endowment fund should be setup to help his family.”- Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

“May his soul Rest In Peace.”- Senator Andy Uba.

“Distinguished Colleagues:Let me say that I am deeply touched by your tributes to this great colleague of ours. We have all heard the heartwarming tributes to our dear colleague. We have all heard how he worked to defend our democracy and to defend the oppressed.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“One of the things that many have said here today is that death is inevitable and we will all taste death.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“Senator Ali Wakili was a first-timer who won the respect of all of us. Because he was always frank, he was always truthful, he made friends easily, and he cared for his people as a grassroots leader and politician.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“As we forge ahead at this point, I believe that we must learn from this. I believe that we all have a role to play and must give our best because at the end of the day, death will come. Surely it will come.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“Senator Ali Wakili was a sterling example of what we should all be when serving our people. I remember when we named him Chairman of Poverty Alleviation, he was very upset. But at the end of the day, he took up the responsibility, accepted it and worked hard to make Nigeria a better place.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“We should pray that Senator Ali Wakili is granted Al Jannah Firdaus. We must also pray for his family — because we are now his family. We are now the father, we are now the husband. I want to appeal all our colleagues to not forget this.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.


“Senator Ali Wakili had a daughter that he was planning to send for her masters. When I was leaving, the mother came and met me. She could not start the sentence, but I knew what she was saying. It will be my wish that we in this chamber make this happen.”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Senate resolved to:

I. Observe a minute silence in his honour;

II. Consider naming committee rooms and hearing rooms after Senators;

III. Consider an appropriate scheme to support families of Senators who die in active service;

IV. Liaise with the House of Representatives to expedite action in the establishment of National Assembly museum and archive to immortalize members of the National Assembly properly; and

V. Set up an endowment fund for Senators.

ADJOURNMENT

Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 22nd March, 2018.

#GavelBangs.

Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.