The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has expressed sadness over the demise of the member representing Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency of Niger State, Rep. Ja’afaru Iliyasu.
Rep. Iliyasu, a member of the ruling APC who was one of the 360 members of the 9th House that took the oath of office and oath of allegiance on June 11, 2019, passed away on Monday morning at his Maitama residence in Abuja.
He had just returned to Abuja on Sunday after a retreat organised for members of the House Committee on Public Accounts in Lagos.
The Speaker said he was “deeply shaken” by the demise of the Niger Rep, whom he described as a gentleman who showed great willingness and determination to work with his other colleagues to make good laws for the country.
The Speaker, who described the lawmaker’s passing away as painful, said he would be remembered for his commitment to representing the interest of his people and Nigerians as a whole.
In a statement he signed on Monday, Gbajabiamila said: “I woke up this morning only to hear the sad news of the passing away of our great colleague, Rep Ja’afaru Iliyasu.
“Rep Iliyasu was a gentleman and a determined lawmaker who wanted to make his mark in service to his country. Unfortunately, death took him away at this time.
“Within the last few months that he had been in the House, he proved himself to be a worthy legislator. I must say that I am pained just like my other colleagues over his demise. I pray the Almighty Allah grants him Jannatul Firdaus as his final abode,” the Speaker said.
The Speaker also prayed Allah to give his immediate family, constituents and the people and Government of Niger State the fortitude to bear the loss.