The Kwara State House of Assembly yesterday held a valedictory session in honour of a departed member, Hon Afolayan Musa Moses whose death was described as a great loss to the state.

The valedictory session had the deceased's family members, council chairmen, former members of the House including Afolayan's predecessor, Dr Abraham Ashaolu, stakeholders from Oke-Ero Local Government among others in attendance.

The Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad declared the session open with a condolence message from the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed who described Afolayan's demise as a colossal loss to the state. Governor Ahmed described late Afolayan as inarguably among the foremost crop of team of politicians in the state.

According to him "his death therefore at this period when loyal and impactful politicians with capacity are most needed to help consolidate the new Nigeria being championed by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is most sad indeed".

Dr Ahmad while making his remark, ordered that number 105 seat where Afolayan normally sits in the red chamber be vacant till the end of 8th Assembly as a mark of honour for the departed lawmaker.

The Speaker recalled most of Afolayan's achievements within the short time he spent as Oke-Ero council chairman, including construction of Oke-Ero council secretariat building, placing of traditional rulers on pay roll, opening up Idofin-Igbana ring-road, employment of many indigenes of the council, lifting of indigent people within and outside his community, establishment of area Offices in Idofin-Igbana and Idofin-Odoase as well as dependable financier of the community among others.

He described him as a concerned and committed lawmaker who did not talk but his contributions were always full with sincerity of purpose with the true reflection of his passion for the well-being of all Kwarans.

Dr Ahmad described the departed lawmaker as a democrat whose love for his community was unquantifiable, adding that late Afolayan had made a proposal for capturing of Oko-Idofin Igbana/ Ayekale, Odo-Owa/Erinmape/Egosi/Aiyedun, Imonde/Erinmonpe for construction in the 2016 budget.

The speaker however assured that he would work with the executive to ensure most of Afolayan's dreams for his people were realized as a mark of honour for him. "We have missed a member who was accommodating, easy-going, tolerant and committed to the aspiration and well being of his community".

Reverend R. S. Omotosho of ECWA Church, Gaa Akanbi later led the special prayer to mark the valedictory session for the departed lawmaker. He used the occasion to remind people of the inevitability of death, adding that every living soul would taste death at the appointed time. The cleric urged the people to be prepared for death through exemplary devotion to the service of God and humanity.

The colleagues of the departed lawmaker had showered encomium on him. They described him as a complete gentle man, generous and peace loving, humble and tolerant person. The lawmakers noted that Afolayan's demise had created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.

The members said they would only take solace in the fact everyone was naked to death. They however urged family members of the deceased to take heart because Afolayan lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation by all.