Buhari, Senate, Gov Ayade Mourn Late Sen Rose Oko

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of Senator Rose Okoji Oko, who represented Cross River North Senatorial District in the current Senate,

The President said her voice of intelligence and dogged advocacy stance, especially on girl-child education and health, would be sorely missed.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President commiserated with the government and people of Cross River, her family, as well as the National Assembly, over her untimely death.

“President Muhammadu Buhari sends his condolences to government and people of Cross River State, and National Assembly over the passing of the Senator representing Cross River North, Rose Okoji Oko.

“The President believes the Senator’s historic service to the nation at the National Assembly, starting out at House of Representatives and, later, at the Senate, will always be remembered, affirming that her long stay at the legislature clearly testify to her popularity and acceptance.

“As one of the women who championed development issues at the National Assembly, especially on girl-child education and health, President Buhari notes, with sadness, that her voice, intelligence and experience will be sorely missed, and the promise of a brighter political career would not be realized.

“President Buhari commiserates with family of the deceased, her friends and political associates, praying that the almighty God will continue to comfort them, while urging them to find strength and solace in her legacies of a life of service to God, country and humanity”, the statement said.

Similarly, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, described as shocking the death of Senator Rose Oko, who until her death, was Chairperson, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment.

In commiserating with the deceased Senator’s family and the loved ones she left behind, Senator Lawan also condoled with the people and government of Cross River State over the sad loss.

He said Senator Oko’s death was a great loss to the Senate and also to Nigerian women in politics, noting that she would be greatly missed by her colleagues in the Ninth Assembly.

In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, the Senate President prayed God to comfort her family and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Also in his condolence message, the Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade described as shocking and sad the untimely death of Dr Rose Oko

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita said Senator Oko’s demise “is a huge and irreparable loss to the state.”

“Death has struck so grimly at the heart of Cross River State. Rose Oko was not only a senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District but was also a good ambassador of the state in the senate”, Ayade said

According to him, “Rose was no ordinary daughter of this state. She was a dogged fighter for anything that could bring honour and dignity to our state. She was an Amazon for justice and fair play. She was a development partner. She loved Cross River.

“Right from her days as a lecturer, Commissioner, House of Reps member and finally Senator, Rose’s single creed was the development and stability of Cross River State. We have lost a rare gem. Rose is irreplaceable,” the statement said.

Governor Ayade also described the Senator’s passage as a personal tragedy “for she was more than a political affiliate. I’m downcast. I’m crestfallen. My heart is heavy. I lack words to describe the extent of my grief.

“She was an elder sister and a staunch ally who took over from me as senator representing Cross River North. Rose was always there to offer pep words of advice and encouragement. I will miss her so dearly.”

In praying for the repose of Senator Oko’s soul, the governor urged her immediate family to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived an exemplary life.

“My heartfelt condolences go to Senator Oko’s immediate family, the people of Northern Cross River and Cross River as a whole. Let us bear with equanimity the tragic death of our beloved daughter, taking solace in the fact that her life was salutary and exemplary”, he said