Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday led top government officials, lawmakers and parliament staff to bid farewell to former Deputy Minister in the President’s Office responsible for investment, William Olenasha.
At the Parliament grounds in Dodoma, the leaders eulogised the fallen deputy minister as a true patriotic and hardworking lawyer, who loved his country from heart.
The president arrived at the Bunge grounds at 12:30 noon, donned in dark dress decorated by a nood coloured veil. Immediately after arriving, the president participated in a requiem mass organised for the departed deputy minister after which, she led the government officials to pay last respects.
However, she did not give any presidential address at the function, instead, she requested the Vice-President, Dr Philip Mpango to present the government’s greetings on her behalf.
Speaking, Dr Mpango said the country had lost the deputy minister, who was using his law profession to help the country, adding that he was truly loved by residents in his Ngorongoro constituency.
“We have learnt so many things from the late Olenasha, and we need to emulate his legacy of hardworking and patriotism for his country,” he noted.
The Vice-President said he would continue remembering Mr Olenasha for many issues.
“Back then, I remember when I was the Minister for Finance and Planning, Mr Olenasha was very active in giving positive contributions during the debate and adoption of the Finance Bill,” added Dr Mpango.
At the farewell of the fallen polite deputy minister, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa narrated the final moment before Mr Olenasha died.
According to Mr Majaliwa, who is the leader of government business in parliament, his office received the death of the late Olenasha with great distress.
“He had finished his duties well, and, he travelled from Arusha in his normal health condition according to his driver, who left him in his house well, and later he had his dinner at the neighbouring place. However, when he was taking stairs to reach his house on the second floor, he abruptly fell down,” he said.
According to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of State, Prime Minister’s Office Responsible for Investment, Professor Godius Kahyarara, and the late Olenasha died of blood pressure. Prof Kahyarara said the departed Olenasha is survived by a widow and five children.
Speaker of the National Assembly, speaking at the event said: “We have lost our friend, the best and keen lawyer, and whenever he stood up in parliament I used to call him in the popular Maasai name, Laigwanan,” he said.
The event was also attended by the Secretary General of the ruling– -CCM, Daniel Chongolo, who said that Mr Olenasha was his trusted friend, who taught him issues of the Maasai culture when he was the District Commissioner in one of the districts of Arusha Region.
“Our party has lost a true and strong member, who was ready to work for CCM all the time, and of course our relatives in Ngorongoro have lost the best and important leader, who was ready to present their challenges in the august House all the time, said Mr Chongolo.
The event was also attended by former Speaker of the National Assembly, Anne Makinda. Mr Ole nasha died on Monday night after succumbing to blood pressure.
