It was a day of mixed feelings at the special valedictory session for the late Ms Suliyah Yetunde Oguns, who tragically passed away on Sunday, September 20th.
Oguns, a dedicated youth leader, environmental advocate, and parliament member, represented Somolu Constituency II (Constituency 02) in the 5th Assembly of the Lagos State Youth Parliament.
She served as the Director of Alumni and Post-Engagement Support at the Lagos Youth Development Institute (LYDI) and worked as a Technical Assistant for LAWMA.
Known as a passionate climate activist, she served as a Senior Special Assistant on Environmental Health for Bariga LCDA and led local plastic recycling initiatives.
She previously served as President of JCI Nigeria FCET Akoka in 2016.
The deceased has since been laid to rest according to Muslim rites at Muslim Burial Ground in Ofada, Ogun State, on Monday, September 21st.
At the valedictory session on Thursday, September 24, councillors showered encomiums on the deceased at the Bariga Legislative Assembly chambers, which was filled to capacity.
The session had in attendance: Bariga Council Chairman, Hon. Adedeji Bukola Omope, Lawmaker representing Somolu Constituency II, Hon. Samuel Apata; House Leader, Hon. Wasiu Adeleke Balogun, Hon. Ruth Lijirin, SSA to Lagos Governor on Civic Engagement; Somolu Constituency II APC candidate, Moruf Idowu Alli-Balogun, family members, associates, friends, Bariga political stalwarts, councillors from Somolu and Bariga; and other stakeholders.
During the session, the councillors, in their separate remarks, eulogised the deceased for her support for humanity, unflinching dedication to youth matters, and contribution to Bariga development.
In his tribute on behalf of the House, the Leader of the House, Hon. Wasiu, said, ‘She’s a junior colleague, and she is a member of the Youth Parliament, representing our constituency. Her enormous contributions to our community cannot be overstated. That’s why we are honouring her as a legislative assembly.
‘Sadly, a young life has been cut short. We stand in solidarity with her family, and this is a painful loss to her family and, by extension, the Bariga community.
‘As a house, we extend our deepest condolences to her family. We say goodbye with sadness. Late Oguns Suliyah’s memories will remain with us. During her time, she made an impact. It is not how far, but how well. She has come, she lived, and she has gone.
Urging her immediate family to be strong in the face of grief and remain united, the House Leader said Suliyah did not die but transited to a higher glory, having fulfilled Allah’s purpose in her life.
‘Indeed, her death will create a big vacuum that may be difficult to fill. We pray for the repose of her soul. May her soul rest in peace and may God grant all of us the fortitude to bear the loss,’ he prayed.
Concluding, Hon. Wasiu moved a motion to hold the Legislative Summit annually as a tradition and in remembrance of Suliyah.
The House also presented a condolence letter, signed by the House, to the family.