Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Madam Omowunmi Akande, wife of former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Omawunmi as a good role model who demonstrated compassion, integrity, and character and lived a fruitful life dedicated to supporting her husband, family and community.
He commiserated with Chief Akande, his family and the Government and people of Osun state over the loss. He stated that Madam Omowunmi would be greatly missed for her industry, leadership qualities and exemplary lifestyle.
“Nigeria has lost a quintessential mother and very supportive wife. As the First Lady of Osun State, Ma Akande displayed humility, love for all and solid support for her husband. My heart goes out to Chief Akande and the entire family in these trying moments”, Saraki stated.
He prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest and her immediate family, and loved ones, the fortitude to bear the loss.
Meanwhile, Senator Saraki also on Wednesday, urged all stakeholders in the education sector to remain calm on the new 9-year Basic Education Curriculum to enable the National Assembly look into the various issues involved.
He made the call while receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
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He assured the delegation that the Senate Committee on Basic Education would investigate the complaints by the Association against the new curriculum with a view to making it acceptable and satisfactory to all religions.
Explaining the background to the introduction of the policy, the Senate President said the process began in 2010, when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan came up with a series of reforms to reduce the number of subjects in the school curriculum.
“As leaders, we must continue to seek and find solutions to problems. You will remember that in 2010, the past administration came up with reforms on how to reduce the number of subjects at the basic education level.
“There were about 20 subjects at that time, and subsequently they were reduced to 12.
“In the process of implementing these reforms; we have this problem. Why I am saying this, is so we don’t leave here and believe that it was done to favour one religion over the other.
“Now the reform is clearly not working. So our responsibility is to look into that reform and make it work. I am sure that there was no intention to make one group feel disadvantaged with this new school curriculum.
“This is why this Senate will direct our Committee on education to look at the reform and find out why it is not working with the relevant stakeholders,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Prof. Charles Adeyinka Adisa, who represented the CAN National President, called for the intervention of the National Assembly to ensure genuine respect for the Constitution, as well as, “abolition of obnoxious laws that infringe on freedom of worship.”
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