Edo Loses Former Speaker

By Olamilekan Alani

A former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Zakawanu Garuba, is dead.

A family source, who did not want his name mentioned, said the two-time member of Edo Assembly died of an undisclosed ailment at an Abuja hospital on Saturday morning.

Born on 23 August 1965, in Akpekpe community, Auchi, in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, Garuba studied Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State and was called to Bar in 1990.

Zakawanu Garubawas elected into the Edo State House of Assembly in 2003, on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party.

While in the House, he served as chairman of the House committee on judiciary, human rights, and legal matters.

Garubawas became Speaker in 2007.

After his exit from legislative duty, Zakawanu Garuba was appointed into the Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission to serve as the Executive Commissioner, Finance and Administration (now known as the corporate services directorate of the commission).

He holds the traditional titles of Oshiote of Auchi Kingdom and Okumagbe of Uzaire.