Lagos State Assembly, on Monday, at a Special Session honoured Miss. Josephine Ugwu the cleaner, who returned the sum of N12 million in foreign currencies she found at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA, Ikeja, to the airport security, in January.
It will be recalled that the House, had weeks ago, invited Ugwu to the House when a lawmaker who read the story in a national newspaper, brought the matter to the notice of his colleagues at plenary, under Matter of Urgent Public Importance.
Ugwu was presented a letter of commendation and undisclosed sum of money “for her act of honesty and patriotism for returning the sum N12 million on Friday, January 23, 2015,” while the House also expressed its appreciation to her.
Deputy Speaker, Honourable Kolawole Taiwo who presided at the sitting, thanked her for “leveraging the country.”
The letter further stated that the cleaner’s action was a “great inspiration to many who believe in the future of Nigeria; your conduct has positively affected the image of Nigeria internationally. It is an act worthy of emulation, because of this, we decided to hold a special parliamentary session to celebrate your honesty, integrity, uprightness, sincerity, truthfulness and patriotism. We truly believe in you.”
Speaking earlier, the chairman, Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Honourable Segun Olulade, urged the House to give Ugwu employment in the Assembly or recommend her to the state governor for employment as a way of encouraging other Nigerian youths to emulate her.
Honourable Rotimi Olowo, while agreeing with the suggestion, added that the state government should immortalise Ugwu by naming any state institution or monument after her, to drive home the need for honesty and integrity among the youth in the country.
In his own contribution, the deputy Whip, Honourable Abiru, expressed joy that his motion on Ugwu, had seen the light of the day.
Abiru, while thanking the House for celebrating “this great Lady,” congratulated Ugwu on being a proud Nigerian, who, he said, had demonstrated to the world that, “there is hope for us as nation.
“She has written her name in gold,” Abiru added.
The lawmaker called on Nigerian youths to emulate her good character.
Ugwu, while expressing her delight, thanked the House for the gesture, saying that, “I never expected that I will be honoured to be in this Assembly not to talk more being recognised and honoured by this institution.”
Ugwu said she was just doing her duty and following the rules of the organisation she was working for, and also living according to the training she received from her parents, who brought her up and inculcated the virtue of honesty in her.
“My family trained me not take anything that does not belong to me. I also want to prove to the world that Nigeria is a good country with people of integrity unlike the wrong impression they have about the country,” she said.
According to her, it was the third time since December 2014, that she had returned money left behind by passengers to the airport security.
Ugwu was accompanied to the Assembly by the Managing Director of her company.
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