News

Deputy Speaker Describes Former Legislators As Reservoirs of Insights

Published

1 year ago

May 4, 2025

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG-20250504-WA0008-1000x600.jpg&description=Deputy Speaker Describes Former Legislators As Reservoirs of Insights', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG-20250504-WA0008-1000x600.jpg&description=Deputy Speaker Describes Former Legislators As Reservoirs of Insights', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

ADVERTISEMENT

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has described former lawmakers as reservoir of insights whose wealth of experience is valuable to the task of nation building.

Kalu who stated this at the maiden gathering of the Nigerian Former Legislators Forum (NFLF), on Saturday in Enugu State, said the collective wisdom of the former lawmakers can be harnessed for Nigeria’s progress.

He disclosed that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is ready to work with the former legislators to realize the administration’s noble objectives of repositioning the country.

According to him, the NFLF will adopt a robust framework that prioritizes pension security, holistic welfare, institutionalized expertise, and privileges for its members.

Kalu also stressed the need for a unified approach to secure their dignity and support each other beyond their tenure.

The Deputy Speaker further proposed

a hybrid pension model combining contributory and non-contributory schemes to ensure sustainability and safeguard of the former lawmakers.

Other proposals he made included the establishment of a Knowledge Bureau to document legislative best practices and launch study groups on critical issues: granting lifetime ID cards, healthcare insurance, and parking privileges to honor the service of the former lawmakers and creating an Executive Committee and Advisory Board to guide strategic partnerships and ensure continuity.

He said that the NFLF aims to transcend partisan divides, champion pension reforms, and build a policy advocacy group to influence national policies.

Speaking about partnering globally and leveraging technology, the Deputy Speaker added that the forum seeks to strengthen democracy, project Nigeria’s voice, and harness the collective wisdom of its legislative heritage.

He referenced the United States Congress, the South African parliament, Indonesia amongst others, adding that Nigeria should not live in isolation hence the need to integrate the former lawmakers through the body.

He said: “Here in Nigeria, our NFLF must rise to meet four imperatives. First, pension security. Unlike the U.S. or South Africa, we lack a unified framework. Let us adopt a hybrid model: contributory schemes for sustainability, paired with non-contributory safeguards for indigent retirees. Mirroring the U.S., we could allow partial pension computation for an immediate needs lifeline for those transitioning to private life.

“Beyond pension, the Forum must champion the holistic welfare of

its members, supporting one another politically, socially, and economically. We must form a strong policy-pressure group and legislative-lobbying arm to advocate for our collective interests within the corridors of power. In doing so, we recognise that the nation has invested vast resources in training each legislator present here; allowing that investment to go to waste upon leaving office should be discouraged at all costs. This platform will reduce the pressures on those who lose elections by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and pathways into new careers and public service roles.

“Third, institutionalizing expertise. Former legislators are reservoirs of insight, not relics. The NFLF must establish a Knowledge Bureau to document legislative best practices and

launch Congressional Study Groups on critical issues like the economy, security, foreign policy, and trade. Let us partner with universities, as the U.S. does, deploying former members as ambassadors for civic literacy on campuses and in communities.

“Fourth, privileges and facilities. Inspired by the U.S., we should grant lifetime ID cards for National Assembly access, certain privileges for post-tenure transitions like healthcare insurance, and parking in legislative complexes. These courtesies, overseen by bipartisan committees, honour service while preventing abuse.

“The NFLF’s institutional framework must mirror global rigour. An Executive Committee with staggered terms will ensure continuity, while an Advisory Board of corporate and policy experts will guide strategic partnerships. Funding will rely on endowment funds, membership dues, corporate donations, and a grants self-sustaining model similar to the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC)”.

Calling for further action, Kalu urged his predecessors and peers to go beyond partisan divides to reach the desired objectives of the association.

“To my predecessors and peers, let us transcend partisan divides. The NFLF must champion pension reforms to secure retirees’ dignity, support each other holistically, and synergize to build a policy advocacy and pressure group that influences key national policies; leverage technology for virtual mentorship and policymaking and partner globally, drawing from Indonesia’s dialogue-driven approach and the U.S. and U.K.’s bipartisan assemblage.

“As we embark on this noble national endeavor, it is fitting that the Nigerian Former Legislators Forum takes root here in the South East, drawing first upon the seasoned insight of our former legislators from this dear geopolitical zone of ours. Today’s maiden convergence in Enugu, a city of storied resilience and strategic importance, signals our commitment to building a strong foundation. From this southeastern epicenter, the Forum will

expand in membership and institutional reach across every geopolitical zone, ensuring that the collective wisdom of Nigeria’s entire legislative heritage is harnessed for the nation’s progress”, he said.

The event attracted many high profile former lawmakers from the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Legislative Assemblies across the federation amongst whom were former Senate Presidents Ken Nnamani and Anyim Pius Anyim; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; former Deputy of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha and former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah among others.

News

Army arrests suspected kidnapper linked to Kaduna abduction

Published

6 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, OPEP, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, have arrested a suspected kidnapper linked to the abduction of a resident in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

This was contained in a statement posted on X by the Nigerian Army.

The post identified the suspect as Buba Ali, 30, adding that he was arrested at about 12:45 pm on Sunday, August 9, at Binawa village in Kauru Local Government Area.

According to post, the suspect was arrested during a joint operation conducted by troops of Sector 7 OPEP and members of the CJTF.

It said the suspect was reportedly linked to the kidnapping of Alhaji Tasi, who was abducted in the village.

“Following his arrest, Ali was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated by security personnel.

“The ongoing investigation is focused on obtaining information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other members of the suspected kidnapping gang,” the Army said.

News

FFK fumes as Islamic scholar says those against Muslim-Muslim ticket should leave Nigeria

Published

6 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has rejected claims by an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, that Nigeria is a Muslim country.

In a viral video, Sheikh Jingir, who was preaching to Muslims at an event, said “if you don’t want to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket, you should leave Nigeria because it belongs to us”.

The comment has continued to generate backlash online as Christians rejected the claim.

Reacting, Fani-kayode in a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday night, said the cleric’s remark is unhelpful and untrue.

“Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative,” the former aviation minister said.

“Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided. Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country.

“She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength,” FFK added.

He further stated that President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027 is gaining acceptance “only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims”.

“One day we may have a Christian/Christian ticket too because with God all things are possible,” he added.

News

Osun Commissioner released on bail after Ilesa APC rally shooting

Published

6 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the release of the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Moyowa Adejoorin, who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at an All Progressives Congress, APC, rally in Ilesa.

The incident occurred on Saturday and reportedly left four people injured, including a teenager identified as Tobi Ilesanmi.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was taken into custody after police officers arrived at the scene, secured the area and began collecting evidence.

According to Ojelabi, the commissioner’s vehicle was stopped at the location, where an Amotekun operative allegedly linked to the shooting was also found.

“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene and cordoned off the area before some exhibits were recovered, which included expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.

“Also, Mr Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process,” Ojelabi said.

The development came amid heightened attention to the incident after a video circulated on social media on Sunday showing Adejoorin leaving the police command.

Confirming the development, Ojelabi told Vanguard that the commissioner had been released on bail but said he was still awaiting clarification on the status of the Amotekun operative who was arrested alongside him.

“It is true that the commissioner has been released on bail today, but I am yet to clear the situation with the Amotekun personnel arrested with him,” he said.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.