On Thursday, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, and a former governor of the state who is now representing Ogun East in the Senate, Gbenga Daniel, described the death of Mrs Adewunmi Onanuga, a House of Representatives member representing Remo Federal constituency, as a colossal loss to the state and the country.
Abiodun and Daniel confirmed this in separate statements to press. Onanuga, 59, a Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives representing the Sagamu/Ikenne/Remo North Federal Constituency, reportedly died on Wednesday in a UK hospital after being sick for more than two months.
In a condolence message, Abiodun described the passing of the late lawmaker fondly called Ijaya, as devastating and shocking, noting that her death is a monumental loss to Ogun State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
The governor described the deceased as a fearless leader, a loyal party member, and a great mobiliser who contributed immensely to the advancement of women and the general well-being of her constituents until her final days.
Abiodun said, “I sincerely sympathise with the leadership of the House of Representatives, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and the entire members of the lower chamber on the passing of Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga.“Without mincing words, her death came as a rude shock to all of us in Ogun State. It was both devastating and sudden; we have truly lost an extraordinary amazon.
“Her courage was exemplary, and her loyalty was exceptional. We will sorely miss her. However, we take solace in her immense contributions to humanity and the good of all.
“May God Almighty rest her soul and grant her family the strength to endure this great loss”.Daniel said that it was with great sadness and utter shock that he received the news of the sudden death of the federal lawmaker whom he described as a very close confidant, trusted younger sister and highly resourceful and responsive politician.
The former governor said that Ijaya as the lawmaker was popularly addressed in her lifetime was not just a remarkable politician but a beacon of hope and inspiration for women’s aspirations and participation in politics.
Daniel said, “She was a close confidant and Associate who reposed so much confidence in me, and her painful passage could not have come at a more painful moment for me because I seem to have lost a younger sister.“I might have lost the right words to capture this sad moment, but I believe she has only gone to take her much-needed rest with her Maker, though too soon, too sudden and very much unexpected.