N'Assembly, Jonathan, others eulogise Ume-EzeokeBARRING a last-minute change in the Order Paper of the Senate today, the chamber is going to take up one of the crucial issues of the nation - management of the country's fuel subsidy.This is coming as the National Assembly agreed with the Executive in principle that the 2012 budget would be implemented between January and December as against the current implementation period of January to March.Besides, President Goodluck Jonathan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and other prominent Nigerian leaders yesterday paid glowing tributes to former Speaker, late Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, describing him as an outstanding politician and elder statesman.In an interview with journalists at the Senate yesterday, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media, Information and Public Affairs, Enyinnaya Abaribe said that a motion calling for an investigation into the fuel subsidy management, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Saraki [Kwara Central] which ought to have been taken yesterday but was stepped down because of the valedictory session at the House of Representatives in honour of Ume-Ezoke, would be debated during today's session.The sponsor of the motion, last week, raised the issue on the floor of the Senate after it had been listed for about two weeks without being debated but the President of the Senate, David Mark, who acknowledged that the concern raised was in order, assured Saraki that it would be taken this week.In the motion co-sponsored by 14 other senators, the mover noted that the Federal Government operates a fuel subsidy scheme 'with the policy purpose of making petroleum products available in order to cushion the effect of the true market prices of petroleum products on the populace.'He further averred that the need had arisen to make the scheme more transparent, corruption- free and competitive within an appropriate legislative frame-work.Leaders in their separate remarks eulogised the late politician at a valedictory session organised by the House of Representatives yesterday, stating that Nigerians should imbibe the detribalised character of the Second Republic Speaker.Ume-Ezeoke who died on August 1, 2011 at a hospital in India was billed to be buried today at his home-town home town of Obiagu village, Amichi town, Nnewi South Local Council of Anambra State.Represented at the session by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, Jonathan said Ume-Ezeoke's starling leadership qualities enabled him to smoothly paddle the affairs of the House as Speaker from an opposition party between 1979 and 1983.Also in his valedictory speech, Tambuwal said the elder statesman 'was a pillar of unity and an agent of stabilization in the country,' adding that 'Edwin Ume-Ezeoke was an effective leader and statesmen because of his tremendous ability to bring people of diverse backgrounds together, his relentless passion and patriotic zeal, his ability to inspire others and his self-possessed un-agitated personality.'According to the Speaker, 'while his sense of unity was a critical component of his leadership, there was yet another factor that elevated this great son of Nigeria to the forefront, his passion and undying sense of patriotism. Late Rt. Hon. Ume-Ezeoke possessed a passion for democracy that drove him to work hard for its survival in Nigeria, which explains why he is celebrated today as effective statesman and leader of note.'Also speaking, Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha , described the late speaker as 'an accomplished leader who left indelible and remarkable footprints in the nation's political firmament.'In his remarks, former Senate President, Joseph Wayas who spoke on behalf of all former Senate Presidents noted that Ume-Ezeoke had left a lasting legacy to the Nigerian legislature, and added that his demise called for a sober reflection, as he was being honoured, not for being a former speaker but rather, for having been a good man.Former Speaker Umar Ghali Na'Abba who spoke on behalf of all former speakers of the parliament, however, added another twist to the remarks when he said Ume-Ezeoke did not die a happy man, adding that there was 'no reason for people to begin to die unhappily because of political frustration.'He described Ume-Ezeoke as a man of peace and consensus whose qualities should be emulated.
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