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 Daily
Independent Online.
* Monday,June 14, 2004.
A death in the Senate
By Chesa Chesa
National Assembly
Correspondent, Abuja
For the
Senate, it was not the best way to end a legislative year. Distinguished
senators of the Federal Republic had hardly settled down to enjoy their
six-week long recess, which they commenced penultimate week, when the sad
news of the death of one of them filtered into the serene and hallowed
chambers of the National Assembly, last Tuesday morning. The chilly claws
of death had just grabbed Senator Usman Adamu Usman, of the All Nigeria
Peoples Party (ANPP), representing Yobe East senatorial district.
At first, it appeared to be a rumour as correspondents
covering the upper house were wary of rushing to press with the news
without authoritative confirmation. They were aware that the senator was admitted
at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital following severe
injuries he sustained in an auto crash the previous day. Two others
persons who were travelling with him in the four-wheel-drive jeep from
Mubi to Damaturu had died on the spot. In no time, however, his kinsman
and colleague, also ANPP and representing Yobe South, Senator Mamman Ali,
moodily stepped into the assembly complex and confirmed it before leaving
for Maiduguri for the burial. Another senator of the ANPP fold, Farouk
Bello, representing Kebbi Central, did the same.
An account of the incident by
one of Usman’s aides has it that the lawmaker was returning to his state
capital after a tour of his constituency. One of the tyres of the vehicle
suddenly burst. Usman, who was sitting in the front passenger seat,
ordered the driver not to apply sharp brake to avoid the vehicle from
somersaulting. The driver had hardly heeded the advice when a second tyre
burst and the jeep went spinning. The senator later died the following
morning from his injuries.
A shocked Senate President
Adolphus Wabara, who had already scheduled a visit to Maiduguri to be by
the sick bed of Usman, was further saddened by the latest information and
he quickly departed Abuja for Yobe State all the same, but this time, to
attend the burial. He was accompanied by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Aminu Masari, Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu,
and several other Senators and members of the House of Representatives.
Senator Usman, the
vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, and
member of some other committees, including Internal Affairs, was a very
humble person. He may not be regarded as very outspoken legislator who
covets a daily mention in the media, neither does he display undue
radicalism or boisterousness on the floor of the Senate Chambers, but was
a committed lawmaker at committee sessions.
Daily Independent gathered
that although on recess, Usman was actually preparing to embark on tour
of Prison and Immigration formations across the country, in company of
some other members of the Internal Affairs Committee led by the Chairman,
Senator Abubakar.
He was dedicated to his job
of lawmaking and helping his people both in Abuja and in far away Yobe
State. Those who had had dealings with Usman testify that he was always
affable and accommodating, never the one to impolitely throw you out of
his office, no matter how busy his schedule was. His personal
relationships with fellow senators had been described as very cordial.
Little wonder, his untimely demise was painful and sent shock waves among
those who knew him.
Describing the deceased as an
excellent lawmaker and politician, Wabara said the entire members of the
National Assembly have been left in utter shock and deep mourning because
Usman was a team player and true patriot who was immensely committed to
the welfare and well-being of all Nigerians.
“It appears nothing can
console us over this sad loss, but the truth is that we are comforted by
the fact that our friend, our brother and worthy colleague lived a worthy
life, he was a high achiever, yet very humble, he carried no airs.
“He loved his people
passionately. He was always thinking of ways to improve the lot of his
people. He was a true patriot, we will never forget him and we know that
the people of Yobe State will continue to adore him for a long time to
come”, Wabara said.
He prayed Allah to grant
Usman’s family and the people of the state the fortitude to bear the
loss, and assured them that the Senate will not abandon them in the
absence of their late kinsman.
Senators Umar Dahiru (Sokoto
south) and Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri (Katsina Central), described the late
senator as a good and dear colleague who will be missed by all, while
Senator Titus Olupitan (Ondo North), said “this death is very painful. We
have lost a gentle soul”.
In the words of Senator Iya
Abubakar, “Nigeria has lost one of its very best. Usman was a highly
dedicated and committed senator”. Senator Bode Olowoporoku wrote: “You
have done your best as a passenger. The only sad thing is that Nigerians
continue to wallow in poverty as you are leaving us behind in agony.”
Sodangi said of Usman: “A
colleague of excellent character is gone.” Senator Tawar Wada (Gombe South) was more short of
words as he simply prayed that God grants the late Usman’s soul eternal
rest. It would be a well-deserved rest because a fine gentleman, indeed,
has passed on.
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