…as lawmakers pay tributes at special valedictory session
Hon Victor Akande who represents Ojo constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly has described as unfounded the claims in a news report that the late lawmaker Hon. Abdulsorbour Olawale owed a particular council Chairman some amount of money before his demise.
Speaking during a special valedictory session held in honour of Olawale, who till his sudden death at the APC presidential campaign flag-off Rwang Pam stadium in Jos Plateau State last week Tuesday was quite fit for an 100m dash anyday.
Hon Akande, who got overwhelmed by the development at the initial chance to speak about his late colleague wept bitterly, noting that he felt the nudge to correct the impression making rounds that Hon. Olawale fondly called Omititi,who has been buried according to Islamic rite, was on the verge of paying off a debt he owed a particular council Chairman before his death.
“I called him to get prepared for the flight to Jos while with another colleague Hon Jude. He was the first to ask me if I have used my medication in the Airport, which I immediately did.
“He is a selfless person, he was busy looking for Hon. Raheem to hand him his boarding pass he was also discussing about his daughter’s wedding plans, the claim that he intend to pay debt to a council Chairman is a lie.
“In fact Omititi is the House Committee Chairman on Local Government and community administration and did not owe anyone, right in the flight to Jos he was so jovial.
“What really happened of which a wrong version was being bandied around in the news is that a particular council Chairman got two expensive fabrics meant for Omititi’s daughter’s Wedding and was yet to pay.
“Omititi spoke with him on the need to pay him the money for the fabrics as it will help him make needed plans ahead of the set date.
“The said council boss promised to make the payment soon having asked for his account details, that was what really transpired, he never owed any local government boss debt as claimed in the report.
“He is my very close friend, we were together in Jos, I told him I need to use the restroom, I never knew he was only bidding me farewell while making plans regarding the wedding.
Other lawmakers also took turns to give tributes about their late colleague.
For the Majority Leader Hon. Sanai Agunbiade the late Omititi remains an hidden angel.
“He is an hidden angel, we were in Jos together. I was a little feverish he keep on asking about my welfare all through the flight, he even noted that by 5pm we will be back in Lagos.
“I that felt a little ill at the beginning of the trip and him that was quite fit and strong, really makes good the statement that our daily lives is lived on streams of probability.
He said he was going to branch at Abuja before returning to Lagos but could not get there or Lagos. He will be sorely missed.
Hon. Rotimi Olowo described his late colleague as one who loved his family.
“His parents died early, but he persevered and went to school. He was preparing for his daughter’s wedding and inside the plane when we heard of the death of Iya Oniyan, (APC chieftain who died recently) he promised to visit her home when he returned not knowing that he too was left with few hours.
“We must learn not to hide things from our wives. If you have money and your family does not know, strangers would feast on it when you’re gone. Let’s learn to love like Olawale did,” he said.
Hon. Kehinde Joseph, who said he and the late lawmaker were both planning for the wedding of the latter’s daughter, added: “We played football on Friday, we were at the retreat on Saturday to Monday and he died on Tuesday.
He was never an angry person. There was nothing he could not give for love. If you look at his death, you would want to ask what the essence of our toiling is.”
Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, while recalling the bond he shared with the deceased, said: “I stand here in sadness because while I represent Mushin 1, Omititi represented Mushin 2 and we were close. He was very accountable.”
Hon. Richard Kasunmu said the night before Olawale’s death, “We played and joked till 12 midnight and I even tapped him and told him I was going to sleep. I greeted him goodnight, not knowing that would be the final from me. He was a brother. He would call me everyday to check on me.”
Hon. Temitope Adewale described the late lawmaker as one who was patient and never had time for quarrels. His position was corroborated by Hon. David Setonji, Yinka Ogundimu, Noheem Adams and others who spoke.
Before performing the ceremonial removal of his name tag from his seat, the lawmakers, who held a minute silence in honour of Olawale, also urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to assist two children of the deceased with jobs and scholarship for the one who still in school to lessen the burden on the widow he left behind.
The House also confirmed Saheed Adio, a former lawmaker between 2003-2011, as Commissioner in the House of Assembly Commission.
