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…….Honours Ex-Speakers
By Our Correspondent
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbas has led several former and serving members of the House to pay glowing tributes to a former Speaker of the House, Hon. Umar Ghali Na’Abba, at a valedictory session held in his honour.
Rt. Hon. Abbas also reiterated the commitment of the House in working with President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the dividend of democracy is delivered to the people.
Hotpen reports that, it was on Wednesday at plenary session, the house moved a motion for the admission of non members into the Lower Legislative Chamber.
The event which had in attendance former members of the national Assembly from 1999 till 2019.
They include former Speakers Aminu Bello Masari, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Deputy Speakers Chibudum Nwuche, Austin opara, Lasun Yusuf, Emeka ihedioha, former House leaders Bawa Bwari, Ahmed Gamaliel among others.
Late Ghali Na’Abba served as the Speaker of the House from July 1999 to May 2003, he died on December 27, 2023.
Leading the tributes, Speaker Abbas described him as “an extraordinary statesman and a patriot,” saying that the ex-Speaker “undoubtedly, left an indelible mark on our nation’s democratic journey and will be remembered as one of the titans of our democracy.”
The Speaker explained that, the session was to testify to Na’abba’s courage, boldness, dedication to the principles of democracy, exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to the time-honoured principles of separation of powers.
Of all his qualities, Speaker Abbas said, what stood out the most were Na’Abba’s simplicity, austerity, contentment and rare honesty.
“He was a modest and deeply religious man who gave the last full measure of devotion to his work and Nigeria. He lived a simple life but always with the end in mind. His life is, therefore, a worthy lesson for political office holders of today and generations of politicians to come,” he said.
Speaker Abbas stated that, though it was a moment of grief and national mourning, it was equally a time for sober reflection and celebration of his unblemished public service record and enduring legacy.
“At a more personal level, I am humbled by the enormity of his contributions and inspired by the purity of his vision. As we reflect on his life, we are reminded of the enduring strength of our democracy and the pivotal role of the legislature in that regard,” he added.
The Speaker recalled that at the dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Nigeria stood on the threshold of history. He said after long years of military rule, Nigerians longed for stability, democracy, and governance that resonated with their hopes and aspirations. He noted that it was in this context that Na’Abba assumed the position of the Speaker, guiding the House with wisdom, dedication, and unwavering commitment.
“His tenure laid the foundations of a robust, independent legislature, vital for the checks and balances that underpin a vibrant democratic system. His leadership was characterised by a profound understanding that the strength of a democracy is measured not just by the freedom enjoyed by its citizens but also by the strength of its institutions,” Speaker Abbas stressed.
The Speaker further said under Na’Abba’s stewardship, the House emerged as a forum for vigorous debate and a powerful instrument for change and development. He added that the late lawmaker championed laws and reforms that continue to impact the nation, fostering economic growth, social justice, and the welfare of all Nigerians. He stressed that Na’Abba laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of the House and pursued institutional building with unparalleled vigour and passion.
“He also formalised the legislative aides’ system we operate today, which continues to boost the capacity of legislators for enhanced performance. The vision of Hon. Na’Abba has been supported by successive administrations, with the Executive arm working in concert with the National Assembly to ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability.”
The Speaker announced that the House had resolved that the National Assembly Service Commission building under construction be named after Na’Abba and that the resolution had been transmitted to the Senate for occurrence.
Former Speaker and current Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, while speaking about Na’Abba described him as a talented politician, worthy public servant and ‘a true Nigerian whose death has deeply hurt .
“I appear in mixed emotions but I take solace that we are here not to mourn but to celebrate a giant.
“The evident abound that he lived a very good life. He was a follower of Mallam Aminu Kano and was concerned about the downtrodden in the country.
“He served the downtrodden and chose to be a servant of the people, his voice was to speak for the voiceless.
“Our democracy is young but after two decades we have become comfortable with the present situation. When we returned to democracy in 1999 the political rules that guided us today was not there but Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba understood what it took to lead the House.
“As a Speaker, I consulted with him on a regular basis and I thank him for that. He was a beloved father, brother a mentor and guardian.
Also, Hon. Bello Masari who spoke for the body of former Speakers of the House said Na’Abba found himself serving at a period when a retired army general (Olusegun Obasanjo) with a lot of experience was the President of Nigeria. “Thank God he came from a radical political background, it helped him a lot. He paid his dues in serving the country.
According to Masari, Ghali has paid his dues and prayed for God to grant him eternal rest.
“For those of us who were with Ghali from 1999-2003, I remember when the House was constituted none of us had any experience of legislative duties. We had an executive who was a former military General with no experience of democracy. This was the situation that Ghali found himself at that particular situation.
“Ghali came from a radical political background and it gave him courage to face the situation.
“He was a distinguished Nigerian and parliamentarian, he had the courage to provide leadership under such difficult times. But he survived and completed his tenure despite all the challenges. The sad part of it in Nigeria is that you are taken care of when you are dead and not when you are alive.
Masari urged the lawmakers to provide leadership that will give the citizens hope.
Hon. Chibudum Nwuche spoke on behalf of the Body of Deputy Speakers and described the late Ghali Na’Abba as a leader per excellence who led the House then without a compass.
“Between 1999-2003 I had the singular opportunity serve under two Speakers Hon. Saliau Buhari and Hon Ghali Na’Abba. This House was full of members who had dreams for the country and we’re independent.
“Ghali ensured the NDDC Act was passed in the Assembly and Ghali ensured that he mobilized the House to override the President’s Veto. Ghali passed the Act without the President. They tried to remove us several times but with the support of members we stayed till full term.
“He was a leaders that should be mortalized. Ghali was a good man.
On behalf of the Body of Principal Officers, Hon. Bawa Bwari, described today as a day of mixed feelings.
“We had a special bond filled with mutual trust. He was a mentor. I recall the countless times we worked side by side in transparency. He was a pillar, strength and beacon of hope.
Hon. Bwari said one of his qualities was fearlessness and he always worked for what he believed in.
“What I will always remember was his ability to unite a House of various divides. He impacted on me, the 1999 House and Nigerian. Na’Abba has left a void in the House of 1999.
Senator Binta Masi Garba, who spoke on behalf of female parliamentarians, described how the late Former Speaker gave all 12 female parliamentarians the same opportunity to assert on our contributions to nation building.
“He was a dogget fighter, detribalized Nigerin. What the National Assembly is doing today, he was the man that started and gave the independence of the parliament.
The House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, described the late Ghali Na’Abba as a nationalist.
He narrated his experience with the late Former Speaker: “I schooled with one of his children when I did my Masters in Law. I bought handout and text book for one of his daughter and she went home and told the father who insisted on speaking with me. Her father had asked her how she got the book and she told him it was a serving Honourable member. I had the benefit of speaking with him and one of the things he told me was that the time had come for the counter to make a difference in the lives of the downtrodden.
“This spurred me and today we have presented three bills on constitutional amendment.
“Firstly there are several Ghali Na’Abba” living today, please let’s begin to locate them. Secondly, I want us to tap from what we are seeing today, that it is not “How Far”, “How Long” but “How Well”.
“Thirdly, from the life of Ghali everything made, created, were made to bring life to other. A little selfishness and more selflessness will bring joy to the minority.
Vanguard