The Senate, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to name the secretariat of the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) after late Sen. Dahiru Kuta.
The Senate also resolved to send a delegation to condole with the family of the deceased, the people and government of Niger.
The resolution followed the motion on the death of Sen. Kuta at a special valedictory session on Wednesday led by the Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba.
At the occasion, many senators paid tributes to the memory of their late colleague.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Kuta sponsored the HYPPADEC Bill which was passed during the 6th Senate.
It culminated in the creation of HYPPADEC with headquarters in Minna, the capital of Niger.
Ndoma-Egba, described Kuta as an amiable, resourceful politician and nationalist, by his disposition to national issues.
He said: “His death is a monumental loss not only to Niger State, his constituent and family but to the Senate and the country as a whole.
“Kuta’s love and passion for the development of the nation was his driving force”.
The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, also described the late Kuta as a true comrade who lived a very modest lifestyle.
“He was indeed a comrade, going by the modest lifestyle he led which was reflected in the modest home he lived in Minna.
“The lesson in Kuta’s life is that we can be peaceful, patriotic and yet reach the zenith of our aspirations. I pray God to give us more people like Kuta”, he said.
The Deputy Senate Leader, Sen. Abdul Ningi, urged the family and colleagues of the late Kuta to emulate the legacy of love he left behind.
“Even though Kuta is dead, we can see the love he left behind for his people.
“He is a person whose family and colleagues must emulate for his exemplary and worthy life”, Ningi said.
Also speaking, Sen. Ganiyu Solomon (APC-Lagos), described Kuta as a special breed individual who always had nice words for every person he came across.
“He was a special breed and always had a very nice thing to say to everybody. He was dedicated to duty and his committee always delivered its responsibilities on time”.
Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP-Taraba), said Kuta was a source of inspiration to many of colleagues in the Upper Chamber.
“He has remained a source of inspiration to many of us here. He was very jovial and with his great strength of character, he would encourage you in your moment of trial”.
Sen. Zainab Kure (PDP-Niger) urged the family of the late Kuta to remain consoled in the fact that the goodwill garnered during his lifetime would see them through.
“He was a perfect gentleman and a mentor. I want to assure the family that it is not how long but how well.
“The goodwill he enjoyed during his lifetime will not allow you (the family) to suffer”, she said.
For Sen. Smart Adeyemi (PDP-Kogi), Kuta was a great man whose demise left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
Senate spokesman, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, said Kuta was “a great person”, adding that “death will not remove the name of a great man like Kuta”.
Sen. Chris Anyanwu (APGA-Imo), said Kuta was a kind and cheerful person who “reached out far and wide to touch the lives of the people.
In his tribute, the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, said he was in Brazil when he learnt of the death of Kuta.
Going down memory lane, Mark said he met Kuta during his tenure as military administrator of Niger.
He added that Kuta was sent to jail for challenging the dissolution of the state House of Assembly when he (Kuta) was a member of the house.
Mark said that they later became friends until he left Niger as military governor.
“The late Kuta was honest, just, sincere and dedicated. I think if Kuta had rested enough, he would have lived a day longer.
“He was a workaholic and the most punctual senator to plenary sessions”, Mark said.
Until his death on June 12, Sen. Kuta was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs. (NAN)
