By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has urged Nigerian youths to focus on the importance of paying attention to details, rather than being swept away by the excitement of modern technology.
The Speaker emphasized that the achievements under his leadership have been rooted in principles of trust, accountability, and transparency, qualities that define the 10th House.
Speaker Abbas stated this during an interactive session with participants of the 2024 Legislative Mentorship Initiative, and noted that success and effective leadership among the youth can only be attained by paying close attention to details.
He expressed concern that despite the vast amount of information available on the internet, many youths fail to focus on details.
Reflecting on his tenure as the Speaker of the 10th House, which includes members from the highest number of political parties in history, he highlighted his ability to manage the House with a strong sense of cohesion, respect, and accommodation for diverse opinions.
He credited the House’s unity to his commitment to maintaining trust and transparency, stating, “Members of the House believe in my transparency and accountability. I respect their opinions, and they respect me for that.”
Addressing issues concerning persons with disabilities, the Speaker mentioned that the disability law signed by former President Buhari is currently being implemented. He assured that the 10th House under his leadership holds persons with disabilities in high regard.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring equitable representation for women in the country’s political landscape, whether through elections or appointments. He stressed that the ongoing constitution review aims to address discrimination against women and ensure that bills related to women, which were not favorably considered during the 9th Assembly, will be prioritized.
Regarding the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, originally established by former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Abbas stated that his leadership is considering increasing the number of youths benefiting from the program in the next cohort. He added that plans are underway to introduce an internship program for graduates of the LMI and to engage Nigerian youths twice a year.