The ninth National Assembly is gradually coming to an end. By far the most successful Assembly in the history of our nascent democracy in terms of reforms, legistlations and people's friendly policies never before seen in the history of Nigeria.
Nigerians will be forever thankful to the ninth assembly for its most Dearing legislations targeted at strengthening the Nigerian economy thus making life easier for Nigerians which includes but not limited to.
a. The fact that a significant achievement was made by the senate with the reversal of the nation's budget circle from January- December which was hitherto considered a Herculean task.
b. In may 2021 the Senate passes another Bill for an Act to provide the legal framework to establish Federal Medical Centers across the country.
c. The upper chamber also approved the bill to revive an international hospital that would specifically focus on the treatment of leprosy, skin cancer and other skin related diseases.
d. Also in February 2021 the senate passed second reading of the Public Health Emergency Bill, 2021.
e. Another important Bill passed by the upper chamber is the Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act. ( Amendment) Bill 2019.
f. The senate also passed the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act. (Amendment) Bill 2019 which defies all attempts by previous assemblies to amend since its enactment.
Other equally very important achievements of the ninth senate include.
h. Capital Gains Act;
i. Companies Income Tax Act.
j. Tertiary Trust Funds Act,
k. Customs and Exercise Duties Act,
l. Nigerian Export Processing Zone Act;
m. Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund Act;
n. Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020.
o. Fiscal Responsibility Act;
p. Public Procurement Act.
In total the ninth Senate passed a whooping 58 bills in the first two years of its life many of which have been languishing in the National assembly without the political will or experience to pass for over a decade.
At the head of this is a luminary Parliamentarian, an astute politician and an accomplished Educationalist, seasoned Professor with the requisite experience and training without which these achievements and others too numerous to mention wouldn't have been possible.
Senator Ahmed Lawan have been in the National Assembly since 1999, twice as member House of Representative and has been in the Senate afterwards to date. He has served in almost every important arm of the National Assembly from member to chairman of almost every committee, to Senate leader and most importantly becoming the Senate President.
Ahmed Lawan have all the requisite experience, training and expertise that Nigerians should not be in a hurry to get rid of. Parliamentarians with such experience are honored and treated as treasures around the globe because Parliamentary Practices the world over heavily relies on experience.
Having said this I will posit that Nigeria and Nigerians have a lot to gain by having Lawan back to the Senate than getting rid of him prematurely regardless of political leaning and or wrangling. We can only pray that the right thing is done by the right people to avoid loosing such a great talent and experience at the alter of political squabbles.
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Politics