Current political realities cum the true state of the nation demands that Nigeria gets it right by entrenching the right and proper leadership in its institutions.
Much of the problem we have faced as a nation is as a result of the dearth of leadership which we have been plagued with collectively. While majority of Nigerians are elated with the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president-elect of the country, there’s is still more to be done to ensure that Tinubu’s presidency gives Nigerians the much expected and desired change.
And in achieving this, there’s a need for the emergence of a speaker at the house of representatives who is fit and tailored enough to create a legislative backing for the Executive to dutifully deliver on its promises to thr Nigerian people.
The outgoing leadership of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, will definitely leave a big shoe to be filled for the next speaker, in the history of the green chamber, Gbajabiamila has arguably led one of the most peaceful, diplomatic and most productive house and to a very great extend, this has brought out the beauty of our democratic system.
And as we look forward the future, it’s important we build on our successes to record more success. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, member representing Zaria Federal Constituency in the National Assembly under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress holds the much required qualities needed to succeed Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The high ranking lawmaker is a man of unblemished integrity and he is manifestly loved and trusted by his fellow federal lawmakers.
The Federal Representative representing Zaria constituency served in the green chamber from
May 2011 to May 2019, before getting pursuing a second term.
In between these period, he is the Chairman at Land Transport Committee until May 2023; Committee Member at Commerce Committee (Reps) to May 2015; Committee Member at Finance Committee (Reps) to May 2015; Committee Member at Special Duties Committee (Reps) to May 2015; Committee Member at Defence Committee (Reps) to May 2015; Vice-Chairman at Legislative Compliance Committee (Reps) to May 2015 ; Committee Member at Public Procurement Committee (Reps) to May 2015; Committee Member at National Planning and Economic Development Committee (Reps) to May 2015.
On bills sponsorship, Tajudeen seems to be first to none in the 9th House of Representative having sponsored 75 bills within the life of the National Assembly.
The bills he sponsored have direct and indirect positive impacts on his constituents and across the nation, Nigeria. The bills are at various stages. While many of them have passed 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading. Some of them have also been passed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Buhari recently signed into law National Blood Transfusion Bill and a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigeria Council for Management Development Act Cap N99 Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and National Centre for Economic Management and Administration Act Cap. N14 Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Nigeria Council for Management Development Bill 2021 and for Related Matters (HB 1119). These were sponsored by Dr. Tajudeen.
Similarly, Buhari had few months ago signed into law 21 Federal Medical Centres across the country. 18 out of these medical centres were sponsored by Dr. Abbas Tajudeen. The 21 Federal Medical Centres signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari include,. Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Federal Medical Centre, AwareFederal Medical Centre, Bida, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu,Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau,Federal Medical Centre, Ado-Ekiti and Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.
Others are;Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi,Federal Medical Centre, Nguru,Federal Medical Centre, Owerri,Federal Medical Centre, Owo
,Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Federal Medical Centre, Wase,Federal Medical Centre, Yenegoa and Federal Medical Centre, Hong.
Apart from FMC Abuja, FMC Wase and FMC Hong, all other Federal Medical Centres listed above were sponsored by Dr. Abbas Tajuddeen.
Motions set by him are, Multiple statutory violations by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and need for Legislative Intervention to Foster Fiscal Responsibility; Urgent need to regulate the uncoordinated establishment of Pharmaceutical shops and Medical Clinics in Nigeria; Need to Investigate the Congestion and Double Parking of Trailers at Maraban Jos in Igabi Local Government and Tafa in Kagarko Local Government Areas of Kaduna State along Zaria – Kaduna – Abuja Express way.”
Others are, Urgent need to initiate Strict measures to address the Menace of Overloading of commercial vehicles on Nigerian Roads; Need to regulate visiting Lecturing by the National Universities Commission (NUC); The Need to stop Medical Officers in Public Service of the Federation from Engaging in private Medical Practice for personal gains; The Need for Federal Government to re visit the return of toll gates in our Federal Highways for effective maintenance and enhanced security.
We also have, The need for FIRS and other relevant Revenue Generating agencies to employ the use of biometrics in establishing, ascertaining and assessing ownership of Landed properties in Federal Capital Abuja for the purpose of tax and other related matters; The need to investigate the alleged cover-up by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and Federal Ministry of Finance on persons involved with inflating salary/wages of MDA staff as a fallout of the recently introduced IPPIS system. Urgent need for the House to intervene in the brewing crisis between the Federal Government and ASUU on the implementation of the integrated payroll and personal information system IPPIS in Federal Universities.
Capital projects done by him includes, Zaria Federal Constituency which Tajudeen represents consists of 13 wards and there are projects executed by this lawmaker on each of these wards (2019 to 2023).Construction and Equipping of Primary Health Center Bizara, Dambo Ward, Zaria; Construction and Equipping of Modern ICT Centre Amaru, Kwarbai A Ward, Zaria; Construction of 2Blocks of 6 Class rooms JSS Dallatu, Dutsen Abba ;Ward,Construction of Solar Powered Borehole with 20,000 Litres Steel Overhead Tank at Magume, Tukur Tukur Ward, Zaria and Road Rehabilitation from Anguwan Kaya Junction to FCE Junction, Anguwa Kaya, Gyallesu ward, Zaria among many others.
The aforementioned lay further credence to the capacity and capability of Hon. Tajudeen to distinctly offer Nigerians the much needed legislative input leading the Green Chamber.
Based on his political trajectory, it can be objectively agreed that he has gathered enough experience with an unblemished record in the House of Representatives from 2011 in the 7th Assembly to date.
He is among the few lawmakers in the 9th National Assembly that stand out in legislative activities and constituency programme and projects.
No doubt, if given the opportunity to serve the house as its next speaker, the well-groomed educationist, administrator par excellence and a political juggernaut with stronghold at the grassroots and a significant national appeal, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen will indeed use his versatile knowledge and experience to excellently pilot the affairs of Nigeria’s next green chamber as speaker.
Femi Adeniyi writes from Ikeja