The Tribune Newspaper Correspondent, Tijani Adeyemi, dies during his coverage of the proceedings at the National Assembly while a ministerial nominee from Kaduna State, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, slumps unexpectedly during his screening yesterday but was fortunately revived. Before commencement of the screening of the three ministerial nominees forwarded to the Senate for consideration by President Bola Tinubu, Adeyemi suffered a cardiac arrest in one of the National Assembly’s shuttle buses but died before he could get to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) clinic where he was immediately rushed to.
He was confirmed dead at the SGF office before his body was moved to the National Assembly’s clinic. While Adeyemi’s body was still kept at the National Assembly’s clinic awaiting his evacuation for burial according to Muslim rites, one of the Ministerial nominees, Lawal collapsed after making his presentation and while waiting for questions from senators, he slumped around 1:50PM after he introduced himself and highlighted his achievements so far in the private and public sectors.
The senate resumed sitting at 2:55PM after the ministerial nominee, Balarabe Lawal was nimbled away from the podium of the chamber. Upon resumption of the sitting, the ministerial nominee from Ondo State, Ayodele Olawande, was invited to the Senate chamber for screening. Lawal was placed at a corner of the chamber where a medical team of the National Assembly continued to administer on him. The Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said Lawal broke down during the screening as a result of fatigue.
“The three nominees that came today have been confirmed. Two of them stood throughout but unfortunately one of them when he started before the screening, due to exhaustion and fatigue, had a little health hiccup and we had to drop him, we had to bring him down, let him just get himself together.”
Adaramodu said when the ministerial nominee was resuscitated and had wanted to continue with the screening but the Senate leadership prevented him. Meanwhile, the body of Adeyemi was laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery in line with Islamic rites.
Moreover, Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, expressed shock over the death of Adeyemi. In a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele condoled Adeyemi’s family members, management and staff of Nigerian Tribune, Senate Press Corps and Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over his sudden death.
President of the ninth Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, in a condolence message to the family and the Senate Press Corps, mourned the gruesome death of Adeyemi when he said, “As a reporter, he was known for his remarkable talent and dedication. He had an unwavering passion for journalism, and his commitment to delivering accurate and compelling narratives deeply resonate with those who had the pleasure of reading his work.
Beyond his professional achievements, Adeyemi was a genuine and compassionate individual. To the best of my knowledge, he approached his work with empathy, seeking to understand the unique perspectives of the National Assembly, which he covered for many years. To the family he left behind, the Editorial Board of Tribune Newspaper, and the Senate Press Corps, please, accept my deepest condolences and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult period. May the memories of Adeyemi provide comfort and strength during this time of grief.”
Nneoma Ndu.
