Cross River North's Senator Rose Oko passes away in London hospital at the age of 63

NIGERIA'S lawmaker representing the Cross River North Senatorial District Senator Rose Oko passed away at a UK medical facility in London yesterday after succumbing to a long term illness.

Senator Oko, 63, was first elected in 2015 and then re-elected in 2019, was until her demise the chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment. Born on September 27, 1956, she was previously a member of the Federal House of Representatives, serving as the member representing the Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2015.

She becomes the third senator to have died since the resumption of the current senate in June 2019. Conforming the news, Patrick Okoroji, a close family member, said he was heartbroken to hear of the passing of his cousin who had fought a long fought battle against physical affliction.

Mr Okoroji said: “You gave your best to your world now that it has pleased the Almighty God to call you home may your soul find eternal rest in Heaven. Adieu, distinguished senator Dr Rose Okoji Oko.”

With the current global shutdown over the coronavirus pandemic, it make take a while before Senator Oko's body is returned to Nigeria for burial. She was one of just seven female senators in Nigeria's 109 member senate.