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Valedictory Session: Speaker Abbas Pays Tribute To Na’Abba

Published

5 months ago

February 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…Gbajabiamila, Masari, others hail late lawmaker at valedictory session

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, on Thursday, led several former and serving members of the House to pay glowing tributes to a former Speaker of the forth House, Rt. Hon. Umar Ghali Na’Abba, CFR, at a valedictory session held in his honour.

Na’Abba, who served as the Speaker of the House from July 1999 to May 2003, died on December 27, 2023.

Leading the tributes, Speaker Abbas described him as “an extraordinary statesman and a patriot,” saying that the ex-Speaker “undoubtedly, left an indelible mark on our nation’s democratic journey and will be remembered as one of the titans of our democracy.”

The Speaker said the session was to testify to Na’abba’s courage, boldness, dedication to the principles of democracy, exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to the time-honoured principles of separation of powers.

Of all his qualities, Speaker Abbas said, what stood out the most were Na’Abba’s simplicity, austerity, contentment and rare honesty.

“He was a modest and deeply religious man who gave the last full measure of devotion to his work and Nigeria. He lived a simple life but always with the end in mind. His life is, therefore, a worthy lesson for political office holders of today and generations of politicians to come,” he said.

Speaker Abbas said though it was a moment of grief and national mourning, it was equally a time for sober reflection and celebration of his unblemished public service record and enduring legacy.

“At a more personal level, I am humbled by the enormity of his contributions and inspired by the purity of his vision. As we reflect on his life, we are reminded of the enduring strength of our democracy and the pivotal role of the legislature in that regard,” he added.

The Speaker recalled that at the dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Nigeria stood on the threshold of history. He said after long years of military rule, Nigerians longed for stability, democracy, and governance that resonated with their hopes and aspirations. He noted that it was in this context that Na’Abba assumed the position of the Speaker, guiding the House with wisdom, dedication, and unwavering commitment.

“His tenure laid the foundations of a robust, independent legislature, vital for the checks and balances that underpin a vibrant democratic system. His leadership was characterised by a profound understanding that the strength of a democracy is measured not just by the freedom enjoyed by its citizens but also by the strength of its institutions,” Speaker Abbas stressed.

The Speaker further said under Na’Abba’s stewardship, the House emerged as a forum for vigorous debate and a powerful instrument for change and development. He added that the late lawmaker championed laws and reforms that continue to impact the nation, fostering economic growth, social justice, and the welfare of all Nigerians. He stressed that Na’Abba laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of the House and pursued institutional building with unparalleled vigour and passion.

Speaker Abbas added: “Moreover, his tenure was marked by efforts to ensure the independence of the legislature, recognising that a truly democratic society thrives when its legislative arm operates without undue influence, freely articulating the will and aspirations of the people. He worked diligently with his colleagues to ensure the National Assembly budget was put on first-line charge.

“He also formalised the legislative aides’ system we operate today, which continues to boost the capacity of legislators for enhanced performance. The vision of Hon. Na’Abba has been supported by successive administrations, with the Executive arm working in concert with the National Assembly to ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability.”

The Speaker announced that the House had resolved that the National Assembly Service Commission building under construction be named after Na’Abba and that the resolution had been transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.

The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu said Na’Abba must have been a good man indeed if his deputy could publicly declare so several years after they had worked together. “Your Excellency, you are alive and I am your deputy, and I want to say you are a good man. Your Excellency, I will not wait till we meet in heaven. We have a long way to go. You are a good man,” he said.

Several former leaders and ex-members of the House who spoke at the session, especially those who served with Na’Abba between 1999 and 2003, recalled several memories of the foremost parliamentarian.

Those at the ceremony included the immediate past Speaker of the House and current Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; former Speaker and ex-Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari; and ex-Deputy Speaker (Na’Abba deputy), Rt. Hon Chibudum Nwuche.

Others were former Chief Whip (under Na’Abba), Abubakar Bawa Bwari, who spoke for former principal officers of the House and disclosed that 76 members 1999-2003 set had died; Senator Binta Masi Garba who spoke for the 12 female members of the 4th National Assembly; former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who spoke for former members of the House; and former members of the House and ex-Senior Special Assistants to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senators Kawu Sumaila and Ita Enang, among others.

In his tribute, Gbajabiamila recalled that he was elected to the House in 2003 and was there for 20 years – till 2023. “Therefore, it is with a feeling of melancholy that I appear for the first time, officially, in this House (after becoming Chief of Staff to the President) with mixed emotions. But I take solace – and I think we should all do – that we are here not only to remember one of us but to celebrate a giant,” he said.

The former Speaker described Na’Abba as “a great man, a talented politician, a worthy public servant and a true Nigerian patriot whose death has brought tears and sorrow,” saying, “But as I said, we do not mourn the life he lived for we know and the evidence abounds that he lived a very good life of service. Our grief Mr. Speaker Honourable Members stems from knowing that with his passing, our nation has lost the talent of a principled and courage of a consummate politician.”

Similarly, Masari recalled how tough it was for Na’Abba to lead the House filled with inexperienced members successfully under President Olusegun Obasanjo who was a retired General of the Nigerian Army and former military Head of State. “But thank God Ghali Umar Na’Abba came from a radical political background in Kano. It helped him a lot; it gave him the courage to face the challenges of that time. There is no how the history of the legislature, particularly that of the House of Representatives, can be written without a special place for Ghali Umar Na’Abba,” he said.

News

Tinubu Fires Top Appointee Over Alleged N1.4 Billion Embezzlement

Published

59 seconds ago

July 27, 2024

Admin

President Bola Tinubu has sacked Sani Auwalu Balarabe from his position as HoD, Chief of the Intercountry Centre for Oral Health for Africa, ICOH, over an alleged embezzlement of N1.4 billion during his tenure.

As far as one could gather from the People’s Gazette, the appointment of Balarabe was terminated on the 18th of July, following a spate of petitions that related to financial misconduct and investigations. The president appointed one Taiwo Olaniyi to replace him.

In January, several petitions were sent to the House of Assembly, EFCC, Ministry of Health, and other government agencies to investigate activities of Balarabe at ICOH. The petitions leveled accusations against Balarabe, saying that he had not conducted any research despite the institute receiving huge budgetary allocations, which is its core mandate.

One of the petitions dated January 16 had this: “Despite all these budgetary allocations, the centre has not produced a single oral health research project, which is its core mandate and the reason for its establishment.

It further brought to the fore that projects initiated under Balarabe’s administration, such as the construction of a remodeled dental clinic and administration block and the procurement of project vehicles, costing over N700 million, were never completed.

The petitions also accused him of backdating the appointment letters for new staff and paying them arrears of their salary, with such money to be returned to a particular account. These funds are said to have been applied toward some expenses at ICOH.

The sacking of Balarabe clearly typified President Tinubu’s commitment to corruption fighting and making those in charge of public institutions accountable.

News

Finally, IGP approves hunger protests across Nigeria

Published

8 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Austin Ojomah

The Nigerian police has finally approved the planned nationwide protests and outlined conditions for participants.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, revealed this on Friday while addressing journalists in Abuja.

He urged all groups planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

The police boss said this was to ensure the protest was peaceful.

Egbetokun said, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest.

“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.

“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”

The police boss said the information expected from the organisers also include measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers.

By providing the information, he said, the police will be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.

He said the police needed to know the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.

Mr Egbetokun said the police will “establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.

“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.

News

Reps North-West Caucus Beg Youths, Citizens In The Region Not To Join Planned Protest

Published

9 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…commend President Tinubu’s development initiative

By Gloria Ikibah

The North-West caucus of the House of Representatives have appealed to youths, citizens in the region not to take part in the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.

The caucus also appealed to the region’s citizens to give governments at federal and state levels more time to address their concerns, rather than joining the planned protest.

Chairman of the Caucus, Rep. Sada Soli, lawmaker representing Jibia/Kaita constituency, Katsina state, who stated this on Friday at a press conference in Abuja, emphasized that the region had suffered enough disruption and needed peace to restore its economy and social order

Rep. Soli explained that their stance to the recent signing of the North West Development Commission Bill into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which they believe will address the region’s development challenges.

He highlighted that the commission would guarantee the rebuilding of ruined infrastructure, from roads, schools, health facilities and markets, to homes and places of worship, business premises and other social amenities.

The lawmakers noted that the commission would tackle the multidimensional crisis caused by violence and terrorism in the region, which has affected agricultural activities, trade, and social amenities.

While acknowledging the region’s overwhelming support for President Tinubu in the last election, they expressed trust in his commitment to develop the region and further urged the President to intensify efforts in addressing the security challenges still prevalent in the region and called for a broader security sector reform.

The forum said: “The sporadic attacks have since escalated into a multidimensional crisis that has hampered agricultural activities and trade, and turned some of the most industrious and thriving communities in the North West geopolitical zone into ghost towns as people flee their homes and become refugees.

“This has manifestly impacted on the famous cross-border trade and flourishing agrobusiness between the geopolitical zone and neighboring countries. Most of our border constituencies, which were historically vibrant commercial centres, with massive large-scale farmers exporting produce to various parts of Africa, including Niger Republic, Mali, and Benin Republic, have since been abandoned by farmers, importers and exporters, due to this wanton violence. As a result, Internally Generated Revenues in these states have been negatively affected.

“Politically, in voting so overwhelmingly for President Tinubu in the last election, the North West geopolitical zone had hoped that the famous Asiwaju, who had shown himself to be a patriot of the first order and a man who believed in fairness and equity, would make policy decisions that will bring development to our states by rescuing them from the evils of banditry and cross border terrorism.

“This Commission is, therefore, a tremendous boost to the valiant efforts of the governors of the North West geopolitical zone and it has further justified our trust in President Tinubu’s commitment to help revamp this geopolitical zone and place it on a sound pedestal.

We must, however, appeal to the President to intensify efforts in addressing the security challenges still prevalent in the geopolitical zone particularly, and other parts of the country at large. A broader security sector reform will enable our people to return to their normal lives, leading to positive changes in economic development and social order.

“That is why members of the National Assembly, particularly members of the North West Caucus – and indeed other political, traditional and religious leaders in the North West geopolitical zone, do not support the scheduled nationwide protest planned by some elements to further disrupt the very delicate balance of the country right now.

“We appeal to the peaceful and law-abiding people of the North West geopolitical zone, who have suffered enough disruption of their peace, not to join in this potentially destructive exercise, but rather to give governments at both the Federal and State levels more chance to look at the issues concerned”, he added.