Monarch urges Akpabio, Abbas to brace-up for huge task ahead

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Chairman of Yoruba Council of Obas and Chiefs in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Ambassador Muhammad Arigbagbuwo has urged the new leaders of the 10th National Assembly to brace-up for the huge task ahead of them.

The monarch who stated this yesterday in a statement made available to Journalists in Kaduna congratulate Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Senator Godswill Akpabio on their welldeserved position as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President of the 10th NASS.

The Royal Father also urged the elected leaders to remember that much is expected of them, saying that they should ensure that there is synergy between the Executive and Legislative Arms, their loyalty must be to Nigerians, he added.

Arigbagbuwo advised the new leadership not to see the victory as a regional victory, but for the country as a whole, he said.

He further advised them to garner wide-range expertise that will benefit the 10th Senate and advance the development of the country.

He described the electoral process that brought in the 10th NASS leadership as seamless and a testament to the deepening of democracy in the country.

Arigbagbuwo who commended the absolute independence of the Legislative Arm of Government, further emphasizing its significance in upholding the principles of democratic governance.

“No doubt, your emergence is significant going by your track records in various positions of trust which you have held among which was your sterling performance as Governor of Akwa Ibom State”.

He further described the Deputy Senate President, Sen Jubrin Barau, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas and his Deputy Hon Benjamin Kalu as experienced lawmakers who will unite Nigeria with the instrumentality of beneficial laws, he said.

While Commending members of the National Assembly for their wise decisions, the Royal Father appealed to them to offer maximum support to the new leadership.

The Niger House of Assembly has approved the appointment of the 20 Special Advisers nominees sent by Gov. Umar Bago.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Assembly approved the list during plenary in Minna on Wednesday.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, read the letter from the governor at plenary with the list of the Special Advisers nominees and sought the approval of the House.

Sarkindaji while reading the letter, said the governor congratulated the Speaker and the members for their inauguration, the successful election of the leadership and commencement of the 10th assembly.

He said the letter was in compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to seek the consent and approval of the legislature to enable him commence government activities.

He added that the appointment of the 20 special advisers was to fast track government activities and implementation of the administration’s mandate.

The House, therefore, unanimously approved the governor’s request to appoint 20 special advisers. (NAN)