By Precious Oluwole

The Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday, held a special plenary session in honour of a former lawmaker, Hon. Kuti Oluwasegunota Towase, who served during the Eighth and Ninth Assemblies.

Kuti, who represented Akoko South East State Constituency during the 8th and 9th Assemblies between 2015 and 2023, was also a former Secretary of his local government.

Both present and former lawmakers, family members, politicians, and others gathered at the chamber of the Assembly, where a minute’s silence was observed in honour of the deceased.

The special plenary session was presided over by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji.

During the plenary, members of the House of Assembly and other dignitaries delivered speeches and orations in honour and memory of the late lawmaker, whom they described as a dedicated and committed parliamentarian.

A former lawmaker, Gbenga Omole, said it was painful to have lost the former lawmaker in his prime. While sympathising with the family, he urged lawmakers to always consider the well-being of past and current members of the House of Assembly.

Similarly, Olusegun Ajimotokin, a former lawmaker who described the late Kuti as a sincere leader dedicated to serving the people, urged the leadership of the House of Assembly to ensure the prompt payment of severance allowances to former lawmakers so that they could cater for their health and personal needs while still alive.

The Majority Leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, described the late lawmaker as a man of peace who always stood for the truth.

Current lawmakers equally spoke glowingly about the former lawmaker, describing him as a community leader par excellence, and prayed for God to grant his soul eternal rest.

Extolling the virtues of the late lawmaker, the Speaker described him as a bold, brilliant, and dedicated member of the House who devoted his life to humanity.

Oladiji, who sympathised with the family of the late legislator, said his meaningful and robust contributions to legislative matters would not be forgotten in a hurry, as he would be greatly missed.

The Speaker appreciated those in attendance for taking the time to pay their last respects to the former lawmaker and encouraged all to live an exemplary life.

Hon. Kuti passed away on 16th January 2025, at the age of 62.