By Ushang Ewa
The late member representing Obudu in the Cross River House of Assembly, Mr. Stephen Ukpukpen is billed to begin his final journey home on Thursday, July 19, 2018 a statement from the office speaker of the house says.
The statement signed by the spokesman to the speaker, Mr. Azogor Ideba said a Sing Song Night has been slated for Thursday by 6:00PM at the Cross River State House of Assembly Quarters in Ekorinim, Calabar.
A valedictory session is slated for “Friday, July 20, 2018 at the Cross River State House of Assembly Complex by 9:00AM,” the statement read.
There will be a “brief stop over at (the) deceased residence at block 8, plot 12, Dame Vienna Olurun Nimbe Street off Emmanuel Edem Street, federal housing estate, Calabar by 11:00AM,” thr statement read.
A motorcade will then accompany the remains of the late lawmaker to Obudu where a vigil mass will be held at the Our Lady Queen of Apostle Church along market road by 5:00PM.
The funeral mass is slated for Saturday, July 21, 2018 at the same church by 9:00AM while “interment follows after funeral mass at No. 8 Cameroon Street, off Anderson Street, Obudu,” the statement said.
Also, a thanksgiving mass is slated for Sunday by 9:00AM at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ukpepen is said to be “presumed absent” till after the valedictory service.
The statement explained that: “The late Honorable Stephen Akomaye Ukpukpen according to the Cross River State Assembly House Rules and Proceedings, is presumed absent until after a Valedictory session.
“Again, under Section 161 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also as contained in the Electoral Act, the Obudu state constituency seat which the deceased occupied would be declared vacant only after a Valedictory. Aside this, there is no other requirement.
“However, the valedictory session for the late member will hold on Friday July 20 at the Assembly Complex by 9am.
“It (is) only after this event that the Rt. Hon Stephen Akomaye Ukpukpen would be officially declared dead and the Obudu state Constituency seat declared vacant by the Speaker.
“This will be followed by a formal communication, in cognizance of the votes and proceedings of the valedictory, notifying INEC officially about the death of the member and the vacant seat in the Assembly.”
CrossRiverWatch had broke the story that Mr. Ukpukpen was declared dead on arrival at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital after he slumped during a morning workout session.