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Senate Holds Valedictory Session in Honour of Late Senator Okechukwu Ezea
“God took him to the mountaintop and showed him the Nigeria of promise,” says Akpabio
By Hassan Taiye
The Senate on Thursday held a valedictory session in honour of the late Senator Okechukwu Ezea, who passed away on November 18, 2025, at the age of 62. Ezea, born on August 11, 1963, represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate.
The session featured tributes from Senators and dignitaries celebrating Ezea’s contributions to politics, business, and humanity. A high-powered delegation will be sent to condole with his family, the people, and government of Enugu State. Christian and Muslim prayers were offered, and a minute of silence was observed in his memory.
Prior to the session, Ezea’s remains were laid in state at the foyer of the Senate chamber. His wife, children, and relatives were present following the revocation of Senate Order 12, which usually restricts access to the chamber.
The tribute was initiated by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who described the news of Ezea’s death as a profound shock, saying it “silenced a calm but principled voice in this chamber and robbed the nation of a patriot who believed deeply in service, equity, and the supremacy of the public good.”
Bamidele noted that Ezea brought “quiet wisdom” to Senate debates and deliberations, demonstrating unwavering commitment to national unity. He described the late senator as a gentle colleague, a bridge builder across party lines, and a leader dedicated to improving the lives of his constituents.
“As an industrialist, he was a colossus and a think tank for several boards in both private and public sectors,” Bamidele said. “He carried the hopes of Enugu North with dignity, sponsoring bills and motions that reflected his commitment to service. He came, he saw, and he excelled. His brilliance will shine forever.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said, “Though he did not live to see the fulfillment of Nigeria’s promise, God took him to the mountaintop and showed him the Nigeria of promise. He breathed his last comforted by the knowledge that his labors would not be in vain.”
Akpabio highlighted Ezea’s distinguished service as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and across other committees. He described him as a faithful servant of the Republic whose legacy demonstrates that public office is a trust and service is a calling.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jubrin described Ezea as a good man who stood by his convictions. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said Ezea was a role model for his constituents, while Senator Victor Umeh called him a colossus in human capital development and a friend to all.
Senator Osita Ngwu described Ezea as firm, courageous, and positive, noting that his demise is a great loss to Nsukka Senatorial District and Enugu State. Senator Kelvin Chukwu added that Ezea was a man of integrity who stood by his beliefs and convictions.
The Senate’s valedictory session lasted several hours, marking a final tribute to a lawmaker whose life was defined by service, integrity, and dedication to his constituents.
Suwaiba Said Ahmad has announced that the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions will be the final one to be hosted by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Is-haq Oloyede.
Speaking during the meeting held in Abuja on Monday, the minister praised Oloyede for his decade-long leadership of JAMB, describing his tenure as transformational.
“This is the last policy meeting you will be holding. He has been here for ten years. He has done a lot of good things. Ten years is a long time but he is not tired,” she said.
“Notwithstanding, we thank you very much. Definitely, you are not tired. We will just give you a resting period to relax a bit and then we will just call you back.”
Oloyede was appointed JAMB Registrar on August 9, 2016, and is widely credited with reforming the board’s operations and financial system within a few years of assuming office.
Under his leadership, JAMB’s remittances to the Federal Government increased significantly. While the board reportedly remitted less than N50 million between 1978 and 2016, it generated and remitted N7.8 billion in 2017 alone.
Between 2016 and 2026, JAMB reportedly remitted N20.7 billion in operating surplus while also funding infrastructure and staff development projects through internally generated revenue.
The improved financial performance also enabled the Federal Government to reduce application fees for tertiary institution admissions by 30 percent.
Before joining JAMB, Oloyede served as Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin from 2007 to 2012. He also chaired both the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors between 2011 and 2012.
A professor of Islamic Studies since 1995, Oloyede has published nearly 100 academic papers and attended several international conferences.
His contributions to public service and education have earned him several honours, including the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2014, the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2022, the National Productivity Order of Merit Award in 2019, and the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service in the Education category in 2022.
Oloyede, who is 71 years old, is married and has four adult children and grandchildren.
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Hyacinth Alia has congratulated the James Iorzua Ayatse on the occasion of his 79th birthday anniversary.
By: Fabian Apechihin
In a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia described the Tor Tiv as a respected traditional ruler, scholar, statesman, and patriot whose wisdom, courage, and dedication to peace, justice, and the preservation of Tiv cultural heritage continue to inspire people across Benue State and beyond.
The governor praised the monarch for his fatherly role in promoting unity, peaceful coexistence, and constructive dialogue among the various ethnic groups in the state.
He also noted that the Tor Tiv, also known as the Begha U Tiv, has continued to uphold the dignity and honour of the traditional institution through exemplary leadership and service.
Governor Alia further prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the royal father, asking for more years of good health, strength, wisdom, and grace as he continues to provide leadership to the Tiv Kingdom and the Benue State traditional institution.
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The official vehicle of Sesoo Gboko has reportedly been snatched by armed men in Abuja.
By: Fabian Apechihin
In a statement released by the lawmaker’s Senior Legislative Aide, Bem Adzaagee, the incident occurred around the Gudu area of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the statement, the yet-to-be-identified gunmen forced the lawmaker’s driver to hand over the vehicle while he was parking at a public location in the area.
“The gunmen compelled the Honourable Member’s driver to surrender the vehicle to them as he parked at the car park of a public place in the Gudu area of the Federal Capital Territory and was making his way into the premises,” the statement read.
It added that the driver had just returned from an errand and had gone to pick up the lawmaker, who was attending meetings at the location.
Adzaagee confirmed that neither the driver nor anyone else at the scene was harmed during the incident.
He also praised the prompt response of security agencies, stating that efforts were already underway to track down the stolen vehicle and apprehend those responsible.
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