President Bola Tinubu on Friday expressed profound sadness over the passing of Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives and representative of the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State.
The lawmaker died on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, after a brief illness.
Onanuga, 59, served as Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development in the 9th Assembly and deputy Chief Whip in the 10th Assembly.
”She never stopped serving her constituency, and her passion for building a better Nigeria will remain unforgettable in the hearts of those who came in direct contact with her.
“Onanuga was also a role model for women in politics, demonstrating that with hard work, integrity, and dedication to just causes, women can be effective leaders in politics,” the President said in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
On behalf of the Federal Government, President Tinubu offered his deepest condolences to Onanuga’s family, loved ones, the government and the people of Ogun State, particularly her constituents in Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency.
He prayed that God will grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and provide divine comfort to her family and all who mourn her loss.
Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, expressed his condolences over the death of Onanuga, describing her as a pillar that would be sorely missed in the Green Chamber.
The Speaker, who said he led members of the House in support and prayers for the deceased during her health challenge, described her eventual death as painful.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi lauded Onanuga’s campaigns for gender equality, women empowerment, and inclusion in politics and governance, “Especially as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare in the 9th House and as principal officer in the 10th House.
Abbas also recalled how the deceased, as the only female member in the leadership of the House, inspired and rallied female lawmakers “For the greater good of the chamber and the country by extension.”
“Onanuga was also a role model for women in politics, demonstrating that with hard work, integrity, and dedication to just causes, women can be effective leaders in politics”
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu in a statement described Onanuga as a shining example of dedication, compassion, and selflessness and a leader whose service to her constituents and the nation remained outstanding.
Kalu said, “Onanuga was a dedicated and committed lawmaker, renowned for her unwavering commitment to peace. Her passion for promoting harmony and understanding was truly commendable. But beyond her legislative accomplishments, Onanuga’s compassion, humility, and simplicity inspired countless individuals. Her warm and infectious smile, coupled with her empathetic nature, endeared her to everyone she met, making her a beloved figure in the lives of many.”
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described the death of Onanuga as devastating and shocking.
Abiodun in a condolence message noted that her death was a monumental loss to Ogun State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.Nigerian travel packages
The governor eulogized the deceased as a fearless leader, a loyal party member, and a great mobilizer who contributed immensely to the advancement of women and the general well-being of her constituents until her final days.
Also, the Senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, said he received the news of Onanuga’s passage with great sadness.
He said, “She was a close confidant and associate who reposed so much confidence in me, and her painful passage could not have come at a more painful moment for me because I seem to have lost a younger sister.
“I might have lost the right words to capture this sad moment, but I believe she has only gone to take her much-needed rest with her Maker, though too soon, too sudden and very much unexpected.
“Remoland has lost a great inspiration for women’s aspirations as she embodied an unquenchable “Can Do” spirit, always full of life and attracted a great deal of respect. She was not just a politician, but one with a remarkable difference, making her impact felt wherever she found herself.”
In the same vein, a former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described the death of Onanuga as a loss of an illustrious indigene of Remoland, Ogun State, a vibrant lawmaker, and a committed grassroots politician who made impactful contributions to the development of Remoland and Ogun State.
“It saddens my heart that Ijaya, as she was fondly called, would succumb to death at a time when her expertise, experience, and service are still needed at her constituency, Ogun State and the National Assembly.
“A two-term lawmaker, and deputy chief whip of the 10th House of Representatives, Ijaya demonstrated passion and performance in her legislative functions,” Amosun added.
The lawmaker representing Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, described his colleague as a trailblazer, a woman of the people, always full of life, unassuming, and articulate in her representation of her Constituency in the House of Representatives.
He said,” She carried out her duties with grace and determination that will no doubt inspire many others to follow in her footsteps.
“To the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and the entire leadership of the House of Representatives – we have lost a vital voice in our chamber, a colleague whose contributions strengthened our democracy.”
Unfortunate loss of lawmakers
In the past years, the National Assembly has faced the unfortunate loss of several members. Since its inauguration in June 2023, the 10th National Assembly has mourned the passing of six members: five from the House of Representatives and a senator.
There are 469 members of the National Assembly, comprising 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members.
National Assembly members who died in the last one and half years are Ekene Adams, Olaide Akinyemi, Isa Dogonyaro, Abdulkadir Danbuga, Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Their deaths have left a significant void in the legislative body and impacted the lives of their constituents.
Abdulkadir Danbuga
On October 11, 2023, a member, representing Isa/Sabon Birni Federal constituency of Sokoto State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga, passed on following a brief illness. Danbuga is survived by two wives, many children and grandchildren.
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his former media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, said the lawmaker’s demise created a void in his immediate family and robbed the people of his constituency of quality and uncompromising representation in the House of Representatives.
“I offer my condolences to his family, constituents, and the people and government of Sokoto State. I also condole with the presiding officers of the House of Representatives and the entire membership over the devastating loss of an eminent colleague,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
Isa Dogonyaro
Isa Dogonyaro, also a member of the House of Representatives, died on May 10, 2024, in Abuja after undisclosed illness.
Dogonyaro represented Garki/Babura Federal constituency of Jigawa State on the platform of the APC.
He was declared the lawful APC candidate for the House of Representatives in the 2023 general election after a court sacked Aminu Kanta who was declared the winner of the primary election in the constituency.
Until his death, Dogonyaro was the deputy chairperson of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control.
Ekene Adams
A member of the House of Representatives representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, on the platform of the Labour Party, Ekene Adams died on July 16, 2024, at 39 after battling ill health.
Until his demise, Adams was the House Committee on Sports chairman.
Before he was elected a federal lawmaker, Adams worked in the Sports sector. He was at different times the general manager of Kada City Football Club in Kaduna State and Remo Stars in Ogun State.
His demise was announced in a statement by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, who described him as “a dedicated public servant, passionate sports administrator, and kind philanthropist”.
Also, the National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure while mourning the death of Adams said the news of his death came to him as a rude shock.
Musiliudeen Akinremi
Still in July 2024, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, Musiliudeen Akinremi, who was representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, died in Abuja.
Akinremi, popularly called Jagaban, died at 51.
He served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Science Research Institutions.
Akinremi, a member of the APC, was elected in 2019 and won his re-election in 2023.
The lawmaker also reportedly died after battling a brief illness.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah
The National Assembly was thrown into mourning with the death of the lawmaker representing Anambra South, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, died in London, the United Kingdom, on July 26, 2024.
He would have been 53 on September 3, 2024.
He was the founder of a Nigerian daily newspaper, The Authority. He also founded the Ifeanyi Ubah FC, a football club in the Nigeria Premier League, following its purchase as Gabros International Football Club. He also founded a foundation named after him; Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
In 2014, Ubah contested the 2014 Anambra governorship election on the platform of the Labour Party but lost the race.
On February 24, 2019, Ubah was declared the winner of the Anambra South Senatorial elections on the platform of the Young Progressive Party but defected to APC.
