Ondo Assembly Holds Special Plenary in Honour of Former Lawmaker, Hon. Sunday Yayu
By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday held a special plenary session in honour of a former lawmaker, Hon. Sunday Yayu, who served in the 2nd Legislative Assembly.
Hon. Yayu represented Ilaje/Ese-Odo III State Constituency in the Ondo State House of Assembly from 1983 to 1984. The special plenary, held in his memory, brought together current and former lawmakers, family members, politicians, and well-wishers, who converged on the hallowed chamber to pay their last respects.
The session was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Olamide Oladiji, on the floor of the House.
The Leader of the House, Chief Olatunji Oshati, moved a motion for members to make speeches and orations in memory of the late lawmaker, urging the family to protect his legacy and encouraging people to live exemplary lives. The motion was seconded by Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, member representing Owo Constituency I.
In their tributes, members and dignitaries described the late Hon. Yayu as an active, dedicated, and committed parliamentarian who served the state and his community with distinction.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, described him as a veteran teacher who taught and mentored many sons and daughters of the state. He stated that during his lifetime, Hon. Yayu made a strong impact in the House of Assembly and attracted developmental projects to his constituency.
A former lawmaker, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, described Hon. Yayu as a deeply religious man who remained steadfast in his principles. He said the late lawmaker’s consistency and integrity were unmatched.
As a lifelong member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) since 1998, Hon. Yayu played a key role in strengthening the party, particularly through his leadership in the State Caucus and the National Youth PDP Caucus.
The lawmaker representing Ese-Odo State Constituency, Hon. Messiah Allen, noted that the late legislator made his mark in politics. He served as Minority Leader in the Ondo State House of Assembly between 1983 and 1984 and later became the elected chairman of the first council. Though brief, his tenure in the assembly was impactful.
“Representing the Ilaje–Ese Odo constituency, which included the Ilaje, Apoi, and Ijaw people, Hon. Yayu championed peace, unity, and development.
“During his time in the assembly, he fought for policies that addressed the pressing needs of his people. He advocated for improved infrastructure, such as better road networks to connect remote villages, and worked to uplift the economic and social conditions of the constituency,” Hon. Allen added.
Hon. Yayu was also a strong advocate for education, recognizing it as the key to unlocking the potential of young people. He ensured that schools in the region had qualified teachers, textbooks, and adequate learning facilities.
Hon. Princess Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, lawmaker representing Ilaje Constituency II, paid tribute, saying, “We remember and honour a remarkable individual who passed away under extraordinary circumstances.
A minute of silence was later observed in honour of the deceased.
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