By Correspondent in Lokoja.
The Speaker,Kogi State House of Assembly,Prince Mathew Kolawole, on Sunday in Lagos hospital lost his wife, Esther Zenab Kolawole.
The Chief Press Secretary to the speaker,Femi Olugbemi, disclosed the sad news in a statement he signed on Sunday in Lokoja.
In a brief statement, Olugbemi said: “With heavy heart, we announce the death of the beloved wife of Rt. Hon. (Prince) Matthew Kolawole, Honourable Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Mrs Esther Zenab Kolawole, whose death occurred this morning in Lagos Hospital, after a brief illness. She was Aged 50 years”.
“She is survived by her husband, children, siblings and aged mother.
“The burial arrangements will be announced later.”
Reacting to the tragic developmnt, the Peoples Democratic Party in the state which said it received the news of the death of the wife of the speaker of the state house of Assembly with rude shock, prayed God Almighty to keep all the deceased left behind.
“It is sad to hear of the untimely death of the wife of Mr. Kolawole Mathew, the Speaker, House of Assembly in Kogi state. This is indeed, a shock to us and we here sympathize with the Speaker, members of Kogi state House of Assembly and the state in general.”the party said.
This is contained in statement signed by Comrade Dayo Onibiyo, the Director of Media and Communications for the party.
The party, therefore, encouraged the Speaker to be strong and give all to God Almighty, the perfect author and finisher of our faith.
“PDP prays that the good Lord will stop untimely deaths in the land,”Onibiyo said.
In similar vein,Kogi State Youth Development Commission Chairman, Mr Lawal Ozomata James, has on behalf of the commission,also condoled with speaker over the demise of his wife.
The chairman,in a statement issued by his Technical assistant, Iliyasu Zakari, said:” It is painful to lose a lovely one, let a lone a partner of many decades.
“We are all saddened by the untimely demise of Mrs Esther Kolawole, a virteous woman and a wonderful mother.
“I want to condole with you and your entire family over the untimely demise of your lovely wife.
“However, be consoled in the fact that, she has gone to rest with the Lord and you shall both meet again at the great reunion which will happen at the marriage supper of the lamb, where there will be no departure anymore.”
The Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, described Esther’s death as “too sudden, shocking and one too many.”
The Commissioner in a statement issued to Journalists in Lokoja, prayed to God to, at this time of intense grief and emotions, console the Speaker and his family.
According to him, the loss of Mrs Kolawole is as the loss of a virtuous woman, who gave solid support to the Speaker.
“ I pray that God, who alone knows how to comfort the sorrowing will comfort you and your family and all those who loved and knew your ever loving wife.
“This is no doubt a traumatic experience. For many who have crossed the path of Mrs Esther Kolawole. I make bold to say she was a through believer and a prayer warrior who was always on her knees for the growth and development of those who ever crossed her path.
“Without overstating the obvious. Mrs Esther has fought a good fight and I’m certainly convince that she is resting in the bossom of the almighty God”
The Commissioner prayed God to grant the Speaker, his entire family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and for the soul of the departed to rest in peace.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.