… Wants HYPADEC Headquarters Named After Him
SAN FRANCISCO, June 25, (THEWILL) – The Senate on Wednesday held a valedictory session for its fallen colleague, Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, during which Senators one after another extolled his sterling virtues.
The day’s plenary session was devoted entirely for senators to pay glowing tribute to the late Senator Kuta, who died on Thursday, June 12 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Lagos.
However, they resolved to urge the Federal Government to immortalise the late legislator by changing the name of the national headquarters of the Hydro-power Producing Areas Development Commission, (HYPADEC), located in Minna, Niger State to Awaisu Kuta House.
The Senators took turns to extol the noble virtues of Senator Kuta, who was a chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and represented Niger East Senatorial District from 2007 till when he bowed to death a fortnight ago.
Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, had moved a motion, which he co-sponsored with the rest of the 108 Senators, entitled, “Demise of Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta (1949-2014).
Leading the debate on the motion, Senator Ndoma-Egba said “Senate notes with heavy heart and a deep sense of loss the demise of Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Thursday 12th June 2014 at the age of 65 years;
“The Senate notes that Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta was born on 16th April, 1949 to the family of Awaisu Abdu at Kuta, Headquarters of Shiroro Local Government of Niger State;
“The Senate notes further that the Late Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta began his Primary Education at Central Primary School, Minna from 1958 to 1963 and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Abuja where he obtained his West African School Certificate between 1964 and 1968. He also attended Government College Bida for his Higher School Certificate before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1971 to 1975, where he obtained a B.A (Hons) degree in History. Not done, he further went to the University of Ife, Ile-Ife from 1980 to 1981 and acquired a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration;
“Observes that the Late Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta was a devout Muslim throughout his life time and a good family man who loved all his children and cared for the needy irrespective of personal, ethnic or religious affiliation. He was a teacher, consummate public servant, an astute politician and philanthropist who positively touched many lives in his life time.”
At the end of the motion, Ndoma-Egba prayed the Senators to observe a minute silence in honour of their late colleague. He also prayed the Senate to send a delegation to condole with his family, the people and Government of Niger State.
However, Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’U, representing Zamfara North brought an additional motion, asking the Senate to implore the Federal Government to honour Kuta by naming the headquarters of the Hydro-power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC), located in Minna, Niger State after him.
In an emotion-laden remark, President of the Senate, David Mark, who presided over the session, said, “I have the most difficult task today to express the feelings of our colleagues on the death of Senator Kuta. It is to me as a bad dream. Even up till now, it appears to me that I am still dreaming.
“I first met Kuta when I was posted to Niger State as a military administrator. In my encounter with Kuta, I found him patriotic and nationalistic. He was a young, energetic Nigerian, who showed so much love for the country,” Mark noted.
He described Kuta as a humble, simple and committed Nigerian, who never wanted to blow his trumpet, irrespective of the fact that he came from a royal family and had recorded numerous achievements quietly.
“Kuta was a Prince but he never addressed himself as that. He only called himself Comrade. He was simple, humble and very patriotic. From the day I knew him in Niger, he worked as if he needed more than 24 hours in a day. Kuta was intelligent, respectful and very polite.
In very tense moment, Kuta made us relax in the Chamber through his comic expressions during sessions. The name of Kuta will be written in gold for his wonderful contributions to growth and development of Nigeria,” Mark stated.
Contributing, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, also echoed that Senator Kuta was a very humorous personality, who made Senate sessions lively through his high sense of humour, which according to him, helped to remove boredom from the Chamber.
Also, in his own tribute, Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Abdul Ningi, noted that the death of Kuta had further exposed the vanity and futility of life on earth, and the need for the living to appreciate this truth and do their best to live well before death strikes.
Senator Ganiyu Solomon (APC-Lagos), described Kuta as a special breed and detribalised Nigerian, whose Committee (Federal Character) always delivered assignments promptly. He also said that the late politician was a committed representative of his people, pointing out that he was always present in the Chamber, and usually stayed from the beginning of plenary to the end.
Senator Zainab Kure from Niger State, while making her tribute, called on the Federal Government to hour Senator Kuta by giving proper and prompt attention to the Hydro-Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC), which she said, was so dear to the heart of the deceased lawmaker.
Moreover, Senators Atiku Bagudu, Odion Ugbesia, Smart Adeyemi, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chris Anyanwu, Ehigie Uzamere, Solomon Ewuga, Philip Aduda and many others, all described Kuta as a patriotic, non-partisan and detribalised politician, who never allowed partisan politics or geo-ethnic and religious inclinations to influence his relationship with people.
The President of the Senate and some other Senators, including Abdul Ningi and Smart Adeyemi could not control their emotions as thy shed tears while recounting their encounters with the late politician.
After allowing as many Senators as possible to pay homage to their departed colleague, Senator Mark put the prayers to vote, and all of them were unanimously passed.
Accordingly, the Senators observed a minute silence in honour of Kuta. They also resolved to send a delegation to condole with his family as well as the people and Government of Niger State.
EMMA UCHE, ABUJA
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