Anyim called on the 10th House to immortalise Na’Abba.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former Senate President Anyim Pius has expressed grief over the death of an ex-speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
The former speaker died in the early hours of Wednesday after battling an undisclosed illness. He was aged 65.
In a tribute on Thursday made available to TheNiche, Anyim said former presiding officers of the National Assembly met on December 19 and decided that they should all converge the next day at the National Hospital in Abuja to review the state of Na’Abba’s health and see how to contribute to his speedy recovery. However, Na’Abba died on December 27.
Anyim recalled how he worked closely with Na’Abba as leaders of the fourth National Assembly following a 16-year absence of parliamentary institutions in Nigeria due to military interference.
He added, “I recall with a sense of credit to Hon. Ghali how he worked with me to develop the brief for the scope and design of the new wings of the National Assembly Complex for Julius Berger Nig. Plc, it was nights of no sleep for several months…
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“I will always be grateful to Ghali for supporting me during my difficult Senate tenure. I respect Ghali’s courage and convictions, and I acknowledge with due sense of humility his sense of brotherhood and camaraderie. His rare insight and intellect are enviable and admirable.”
Anyim called on the 10th House to immortalise Na’Abba.
“Today my associate, my friend and brother, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, is no more. I lost a friend, the nation lost a patriot, and his family lost a loving and caring father but God receives in heaven an honest and compassionate soul. In remembrance of the pioneer work Hon. Ghali accomplished in the House of Representatives, it may be needful to name the House of Representative wing of the National Assembly Complex as Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba’s wing,” he said.