January 17, 2022
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday 13/01/2022 signed the book of condolence and paid glowing tributes during the Official Laying-Out Ceremony held in honor of the Late Hon. Alhaji Ansumana Jaia Kaikai at State Hall, Parliament Building at Tower Hill in Freetown.
The ceremony attracted several important personalities including the Leadership of Parliament led by Speaker of Parliament, Hon Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, Members of Parliament, Staff of Parliament, Ministers of Government, former Members of Parliament, and family members of the deceased as well as other distinguished mourners.
Earlier, the Master of Ceremonies, Sheku Lamin Turay, who also doubles as Director of Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, said during the declaration of purpose that the Former MP represented Constituency 087 in Pujehun District, and was first elected to Parliament in 1996, served four Parliaments under the presidency of Late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of blessed memory and Former President Ernest Bai Koroma. He also told mourners that the deceased served in several leadership capacities including Chief Whip, Deputy Minority Leader of SLPP, and Chairman of Privileges and Ethics Committee in the last Parliament assembled. He also said that the deceased was knowledgeable in parliamentary practice and procedure and great lover and reader of Erskine May, an authority in parliamentary practice and procedure in the House of Commons.
Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie who gave tribute on behalf of the SLPP said the deceased was a great son of the SLPP and went on to say, whenever they gathered at the State Hall, they give respect to someone who had rendered great services to the nation. He recalled several good attributes of the deceased especially in parliamentary and national politics relative to advice and friendship.” He was an astute and shrewd politician, and very soft-spoken whenever he wanted to cajole other Members of Parliament to support his position” he stated. He recalled so many good experiences he had gained from the deceased.
In his tribute, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo recalled several years ago where he met the deceased and went on to speak about his unreserved generosity and kindness. He also revealed that, that the Late Honorable Member was friendly and recalled several encounters he had with him. He told distinguished mourners that the deceased called him and asked him to solicit support to mend his sickness, but nobody could help. “Later in life with all the difficulties, he was prepared to carry his own cross” he revealed and wished the deceased farewell.
The Acting Leader of C4C, Hon. Musa Fofana recited Quranic verses, prayed fervently for the deceased.
Whilst giving his tribute, the Leader of NGC, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella spoke about the lengthy parliamentary service of the deceased and his passion to give lectures on Parliament and national politics.
Paramount Chief Representative from Pujehun District, Hon. P. C. Matilda Yayu Minah expressed her tribute with valediction, in light of love and smiling. She used the opportunity to advise all and sundry to always share love like the deceased. “Teach your children to be friendly to everybody like the Hon. Ansu Kaikai’ she concluded.
On behalf of the Kaikai and Macarthy Families, Minister of Development and Economic Planning, Dr. Francis Kaikai said in his tribute that his Elder Brother was so popular that his name was synonymous with their District, Pujehun. He told mourners that they as a family were satisfied for laying the deceased in Parliament and accorded him with respect. The deceased he said used to preach about SLPP. He went on to say that his Elder Brother was friendly and loved Parliament. He expressed satisfaction over the honor and tributes done by Parliament. “Hon Ansu Kaikai will go a very happy man for laying him in Parliament” and thanked all for their various supports.
Son of deceased, Anthony Jaia Ansumana Kaikai in solemn tears filled with emotions said his father was very friendly and lovely. “He loves his people and the country” he went on and recalled their last discussions and recalled that his father died on Christmas Day, 25/12/2021.
Former Members of Parliament and friends of the Late Hon. Kaikai, Hon. Ibrahim R. Bundu, former Majority Leader and Hon. Dr. Bernadette Lahai, former Minority Leader in their various tributes spoke well about the deceased and remembered the contributions he had made in the legislative development of the country.
The laying of wreaths climaxed the ceremony.