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Like a new born, the 6th Kogi State House of Assembly started on June 3rd, 2015at the genesis heralded by some challenges which were not unusual. Some of these challenges, a member of the Assembly Hon. Victor Adewale Omofaiye representing Ijumu State Constituency, in his own words and I quote says “we found ourselves from the beginning in a rabble dazzle state before moving to a navo-gavo state and then Titi buti state”.
The sixth Assembly was embattled majorly by leadership crisis, a challenge that was later surmounted over time.
With the man, Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam, who many termed as a leader with a difference, a listener, a giver, a rare gem among several qualifications but I chose to call him the People’s Speaker, a new leadership emerged. This man with several potentials, knowing the enormous task ahead of him, brought his experience and education garnered over the years, through God’s guidance to bear. He is handly the Assembly (both staff and Members) with the charismatic leadership it deserves, this is evident in his recognition both at home and far away from home.
It is often said that the performance of an Assembly is measured by the quality of motions moved, resolutions reached, bills sponsored and passed and it’s effect on the people. In this regards, this Assembly have sponsored and passed over 251 resolutions both assented and some awaiting assent.
The members of the sixth Assembly having come from various constituencies through election and drawn from various professional fields, brought to bear their worth in ensuring that it reflect in the legislative business of the House.
Members of the sixth Assembly have distinguished themselves in not only contributing to House debates and resolutions and oversight functions but also in carrying out constituency projects in their various Constituencies, an area we have been lacking in our legislative process over the years you will agree with me. In the past and from experience, constituency allowances will be collected and buried in the pocket, infact, we hardly know what it even means because of the secrecy that surrounds it, I stand to be quoted. A further look at the sixth Assembly, you will agree with me, will show a shift in the right direction by virtually all members of the House who have executed one form of Constituency project or the other, the motivation for this, no doubt, is traceable to the 11th Speaker of the House and Member representing Lokoja I Constituency, Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam, who it was that publicly declared and displayed what was given to him as a Constituency Allowance for his Constituents and since then a lot of practical dividends of democracy have been recorded at the grassroot level in the twenty five State Constituencies.
In this regards I want to congratulate those who took the people seriously and to urge those who have not started to join the train.
Irrespective of their political parties, the members have worked like brothers and friends, an atmosphere I pray continues till the end of their tenure. When there is rancor in any Assembly the masses suffers the effect.
In terms of accessibility and availability of members to their constituents I make bold to say that this Assembly is one of the most accessible, I stand to be corrected. Accessibility and availability is a mark of good leadership. What is applicable in Nigeria is a case where leaders will seek, beg, and cry for mandate from the electorates then afterwards become kings and rulers instead of leaders with human face. This is certainly not the case with the sixth Assembly Legislators.
Finally on a general note, let leaders, especially political leaders at all levels know that the powers to elect is with the people and it is transient, so handle it with care as a time will come when you will return begging, seeking and crying for the favour and mercy of the people.
Once again to the sixth Assembly I want to say a big congratulations to Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam and the entire members of the sixth Assembly on your second anniversary.
– Abdullahi Ismail (Comrade Smile)
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