The Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Usman Ankwai, has passed away.
Ankwai reportedly died on Monday in Cairo, Egypt, after a brief illness.
Ankwai, who represented the Zuru constituency, was elected Speaker of the 10th Assembly on 8th of June, 2023.
MEANWHILE, The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, has expressed deep grief over the death of Ankwai.
Guwor, who also serves as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, described Ankwai’s death as a huge loss to Nigeria’s legislative community, noting that the late lawmaker was a committed leader and a stabilising figure among his colleagues.
. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, the Conference Chairman said the news of Ankwai’s passing came as a shock, especially at a time when the country requires experienced leadership across all arms of government.
According to him, “His death is not only a loss to the government and people of Kebbi State but to the entire legislative institution in Nigeria,” Guwor said.
He noted that the late Speaker’s contributions to legislative development and his role within the Conference of Speakers would be sorely missed.
Guwor extended condolences to the family of the deceased, members of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, and the people of Kebbi State, praying for strength for all those affected by the loss.
He also prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the late Speaker, urging those grieving to take solace in faith.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un — indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” he added.
