By Williams Anuku, Abuja
Arrangements have been concluded for President Muhammadu Buhari to present the 2021 budget estimates to the National Assembly on Thursday.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, following receipt of a letter from the Presidency which was read during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
The letter reads: “May I crave the kind indulgence of the Distinguished Senate to grant me the slot of 11:00hrs on Thursday, 8th October 2020, to formally present the 2021 Appropriation bill to the Joint Session of the National Assembly.
“While I look forward to addressing the Joint session, please, accept Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest regard.”
Meanwhile, the upper chamber of the National Assembly held a valedictory session in honour of the late Senator Rose Oko.
The late lawmaker, who died on March 23 at the United Kingdom, represented Cross-River North in the 9th Senate, while she was alive.
The valedictory session was sequel to a motion moved by Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya, who moved for the suspension of Order 17 of the Senate rules to allow the family, dignitaries and other close relations of the deceased into the red chamber.
The dignitaries, who graced the occasion outside the lawmakers are, the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, a former Senate President, Pius Anyim, former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke and the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.
Yahaya described her as a highly accomplished educationist, given her steering pedigree in the educational sector, adding, “Rose Oko was very knowledgeable, she was a dependable ally to me in our committee responsibility”.
Yahaya said the late Senator would be remembered for her brilliance, and prayed that God would grant her eternal rest.
In his contribution, the Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, lamented that the late Oko was the fourth Senator to have died since the inauguration of the 9th Senate, adding that the lawmaker’s demise was an opportunity for them to reflect on their mortality.
Abaribe described her as a gentle speaker that makes a great point in her presentations.
Describing her as a simple and easy-going woman of peace, the Deputy Chief Whip, called for the naming of the headquarters of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission after her.
He explained that he made that suggestion because of her contributions as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations in the 8th Senate.
Other Senators, who contributed are, Oluremi Tinubu, Francis Fadahunsi, Gershom Bassey, Bala Na’ Allah, Rochas Okorocha, Sam Egwu, Thompson Seikibo, Betty Apiafi, Abba Moro, Chris Ekpenyong, Stella Oduah, Theodore Orji, Kola Balogun, Uche Ekwunife, Chukwuka Utazi, among others.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan described her death a great loss to the country, noting that she was productive and had impacted positively in her state and Nigeria on a general level, hence her life should be celebrated.