Senate suspends rule, to sit Friday

The Senate on Thursday suspended order 13 on its Standing Orders to enable it sit on Friday to conclude its legislative business before adjourning for the Christmas and New Year break.

This followed a motion by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, who drew the attention of the Senate to the death of Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, on Wednesday.

Late Senator Uwajumogu represented Imo North Senatorial District until he passed on.

The Senate observed a minute silence in honour of their departed colleague and there after suspended all businesses listed on its order paper.

Order 13 (2) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended, reads: “On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Senate shall meet at 10.00am and unless previously adjourned shall sit until 2.00 pm…”

Senator Uwajumogu, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was the chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity and also a former speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly.

He died at the age of 51 in his Abuja residence on Wednesday.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan told reporters after signing the condolence register that Uwajumogu’s death was not just a huge loss for the Senate, but Nigeria at large.

Lawan said: “Nigeria has lost a great man and his constituency would definitely feel the loss.

This is a huge loss not only to the 9th Senate but to the entire country. The late Senator Benjamin was one time Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly.

“He was a returning Senator, very resourceful, very patriotic, very deep, and quintessential legislator.”

Lawan recalled that Uwajumogu made his last contribution on Tuesday, December 17, when the upper chamber considered a motion on the challenges confronting Nigerians and their businesses in Ghana.

“He made a very categorical statement that they must at all times, as senators, protect the interest of Nigerians.

“And for us in the 9th Senate, this will continue to be one of the guiding principles of what we do to always ensure that we protect Nigerians wherever they are in this world,” Lawan said.

The Senate President added that Uwajumogu gave a very good account of himself as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity.

“But, I think we are united in one thing, we must ensure we live to protect those ideals that he lived and worked for,” Lawan added.

On his part, the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, described Uwajumogu’s death as “painful.”