Adeleke’s Day of honour in the Red Chamber

Ayodele Adesanmi presents the eulogies and the grief of senators on the day set aside to honour their departed member, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

THE shock and disbelief that trailed the sudden death of Senator lsiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who represented Osun West Senatorial District up till last penultimate Sunday remained fresh as Senators filed in for the day’s business on Wednesday. It was the Day set aside to honour the fallen two-time Senator, who was also the first civilian Governor of Osun State. On their resumption on April 25, the Senators had promptly adjourned sitting to observe a day off in honour of Adeleke. It is a tradition they have established over the years. And they also announced that the sitting of Wednesday April 26 would be devoted to tributes and eulogies for the departed lawmaker. Adeleke was pronounced dead on April 23 at Biket Hospital in Osogbo.

Eulogies immediately filled the air for the man popularly called Serubawon.  To say that sympathisers cut across the entire nation amounts to stating the obvious and that that was an indication that he played his part well while alive. Many outside the Senate described him as a kind-hearted man who was always ready to empty his pockets and go extra mile to satisfy others.

Though the valedictory session was fixed for the two chambers of the National Assembly on Wednesday, the Senators who were mostly hit devoted more time and indeed showed clear emotions to a colleague who had departed. Even though the lawmakers were already aware of the demise of Adeleke, they could not hold back the shock as the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan formally announced the death on the floor of the Senate. He urged the lawmakers to immediately suspend plenary in accordance with the custom of the chamber.

Lawan had said “Mr.  President, distinguished colleagues it is the practice and convention of this senate and indeed the National Assembly to always show respect and honour our dear colleagues by adjourning our plenary sessions.

“I will therefore move that because of the death of our colleague which took place early morning on Sunday and I will move a motion that this senate observes a one minute silence and thereafter adjourned till tomorrow, the 26th of April, 2017.

“Tomorrow (Wednesday) by the grace of God, our colleagues will have the opportunity to pay tributes to our departed colleague in a valedictory session. I therefore moved that we observe a minute silence and then adjourned thereafter.”

At the session on Wednesday, almost all the Senators (most of whom appeared in black attires) wore gloomy faces while the usual throwing of banter at the beginning of the sittings was missing.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who led  the short plenary was dressed in black attire, from his cap, to his flowing agbada and the shoe. Some other senators also wore black attires while some others appeared in white colours. The Senate President thereafter led the Senators to sign the condolence register placed at the entrance of the chamber.

Saraki wrote “Gov. As l fondly called him. This is a great shock. We only recently talked about your plans for your people. He was a great man, a grass rooted politician who was always ready to take risks for his people. In the chambers, he was very friendly to all and contributed to our debates as a statesman. We will miss you. May Almighty Allah grant you Alijanah Fridaus, Amen.”

During the valedictory session proper, senators relived the different sides of Adeleke. All of the contributions showcased him as a man of the people and a statesman.

Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan who set the ball rolling read out Adeleke’s profile. He said that the late Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke was born in Enugu, capital City of Enugu State on January 15, 1955 to the family of Senator Ayoola Adeleke and Esther Adeleke and spent his early years in the coal city where he started his primary education at Christ Church School, Enugu before moving to Ibadan. He added that he completed his secondary education at Ogbomoso Grammar School and had a Bachelor Of Arts Degree.”

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who called Adeleke his brother because he was born in Enugu spoke next. He said: “Adeleke was not just a colleague, but a brother as I regarded him as the fourth senator representing Enugu State. He learnt his entrepreneurial skills from Enugu State where he was born.”

He described Adeleke as a gentleman and a tree that made a forest, adding that his contributions to his community in Ede, Osun State justified that claim. He also added that the late Senator’s contributions to debates during plenary would remain indelible.

Senate Minority Leader and former Governor of Akwa-lbom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio  said that he was still in shock  and grief at the demise of Adeleke, adding that “God would raise another cheerful giver that would take care of the problems of Osun State.” He disclosed that Adeleke was a nationalist who did not live long to fulfill all his aspirations.

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, a compatriot of the late Adeleke from Osun State, said that the late Senator remained the most populist Governor of the state since leaving office in 1993.

He said that the late Adeleke and Senate President Saraki were the two sons of Senators who have made it to the Senate. According to him, the late Senator was always fighting for his people of Osun West, adding that the zone would miss a good representative.

Senator Binta Mashi Garba, whose sit is next to Adeleke’s on the floor said she would miss him the most. According to her, while death is inevitable as “naked we come and naked we will go,” it must be stated that Adeleke left a great legacy. She described him as a down to earth person and a man with impeccable sense of dressing. She said Adeleke was a man who took life in its stride.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe painted a unique picture of the Adeleke family adding that the example of that family should come in handy for all Nigerians. According to him, while Senator Adeleke was a Muslim, his younger brothers were Christians of different denominations. He also said that despite the differences in religion, the family remained united and that they jointly built a church in memory of their mother in Akwete, Ukwa East Local Government in Abia South Senatorial District.

According to Abaribe, Adeleke left, a good name adding that death cannot kill a good name.

Senator Shehu Sani in his contribution said that the demise of Adekeke should make Senators appreciate life, noting that “Adeleke was here two weeks ago, but he is no more.” He added: “as we are paying tributes today, one day all of us would account for all our deeds, therefore, we should all appreciate the life of Adeleke.”

The Senate President, who closed the outpouring of eulogies said he had the opportunity of visiting Ede, the home town of Adeleke and that he could see the grief that enveloped the town which is an indication of the importance his people attached to him. He disclosed that Adeleke had a great plan to transform the capital market committee which he was the chairman.

Saraki stated: “We all can learn from the death, life and times of Adeleke as he was always with his people. I, always joke with him that “how many cheque booklets he normally use anytime he goes home as he gave his people the best.”

The Senate thereafter observed a minute silence in honour of Adeleke and constituted a six-man delegation to visit Ede and commiserate with the people of the town and Osun State in general.