THE Senate on Tuesday devoted the entire session eulogising the late Dr. Olusola Saraki who died on November 14 at the age of 79.
The lawmakers described Saraki, who was the Senate Leader in the Second Republic, as a selfless and detribalised Nigerian whose life represented the interest and yearnings of the poor.
"He was fair and just, simple and great, incredible but true, gentle but powerful. Saraki's life was that of un-faulted, honesty, enviable, courage and sincerity."
In his remarks, President of the Senate, David Mark, further extolled the late Saraki for his service to humanity and contributions towards the growth of Nigerian politics. He recalled that Saraki touched the lives of so many people, including those in politics and outside politics in the country.
For Mark, the manner in which Nigerians eulogised Saraki was further indication that Nigerians recognise individual contributions to nation building.
His words: "It only shows what will happen if you live a good life, live for the ordinary people and you die. Saraki has lived and died and he is gone but there are lessons to be learnt from his life and I think that is important. He was compassionate, he was kind, he was with his people, he was God-fearing and above everything, he was honest in his dealings with his people.
"These are characters that we need to develop. He was the Senate Leader, the highest political office he held, but you can see the number of people who keep going to Kwara State and will continue even after the Senate delegation we are going to send has gone to Kwara.
"He lived his life as a detribalised Nigerian. I was very impressed to hear that his wife is a Christian. The intolerance that we see in this country today would be history if we all live the way Saraki lived. There are so many lessons we have to learn from the life of Saraki."
The Senate, accordingly, urged the Federal Government to name Ilorin International Airport after Saraki. It also resolved to send a delegation to be led by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba to condole with his family, the government and people of Kwara State.
Ndoma-Egba, had, in the lead debate, noted that Saraki's charismatic personality defined the office of the Senate leader till date.
He observed that Saraki was elected into the Constituent Assembly, which prepared the nation for democratic rule in 1979. "When political parties were formed, preparatory to return to civil rule, he became a foundation member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which eventually won the 1979 general election."
