The Speaker of the Home of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has underscored the necessity for Nigeria to develop new methods of shoring up its economic system and formulate insurance policies that drive funding in renewable power, agriculture, strong minerals, and mental capital.
Hon. Abbas acknowledged this in Lagos State in the course of the commissioning of the Surulere Research Centre of the Nationwide Open College of Nigeria (NOUN) in addition to the 484-bed Femi Gbajabiamila Corridor of Residence on the College of Lagos (UNILAG), facilitated by the Chief of Workers to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, whereas serving because the Speaker of the ninth Home of Representatives.
Whereas stressing the vital function of a knowledge-driven economic system within the growth of the nation and the indispensable function that the Legislature might play in steering the transformative journey, he additionally underlined the necessity to harness the potential of its youthful inhabitants, which he has described as progressive and inventive.
He famous that in an period marked by speedy technological development and globalisation, the transition to a knowledge-driven economic system isn’t just helpful but in addition crucial for sustained progress and competitiveness.
“A knowledge-driven economic system can higher capitalise on mental capabilities relatively than pure sources or bodily inputs. It’s an economic system the place data is a key engine of progress, innovation, and job creation,” he mentioned.
Speaker Abbas harassed that it was vital for Nigeria, the place the individuals have relied on the exploitation of pure sources, particularly oil and gasoline, for many years.
He acknowledged, “Nevertheless, the world is transferring shortly from this power supply to cleaner and extra sustainable sources. If we don’t adapt and develop new methods of shoring up our economic system, we’ll fail to arrange for the longer term.
“As you’re conscious, the oil and gasoline sector at present contributes about 65% of presidency income and over 85% of whole exports. As such, the worldwide power shift from fossil power programs to renewable power will adversely have an effect on our gross home merchandise. This underscores the necessity for insurance policies that drive funding in renewable power, agriculture, strong minerals, and mental capital.
“Within the face of our challenges, our youthful inhabitants is a vibrant supply of innovation and creativity. We should harness this potential. This could solely be carried out by pivoting in direction of insurance policies that foster training, analysis, and growth and encourage the appliance of information in industrial, technological, and financial actions.”
Talking on the separate occasions on Wednesday, the Speaker faulted the criticisms towards the Zonal Intervention Tasks, popularly referred to as constituency tasks, saying they’re efficiently addressing the wants of Nigerians, particularly on the grassroots.
In implementing constituency tasks, he disclosed that Nationwide Meeting members establish the wants of their constituents and nominate tasks inside a threshold within the annual finances of the Federal Authorities, whereas Ministries, Departments, and Businesses execute them as a part of their capital tasks.
The Speaker famous that legislative illustration and constituency tasks are two vital parts of a functioning democracy, particularly in a consultant system of presidency like Nigeria’s presidential democracy.
“These particular initiatives are funded by way of the federal government finances and are meant to handle the wants and enhance the circumstances of constituents, he acknowledged.
Speaker Abbas additionally famous that for a lot of Nigerians, particularly on the grassroots, it’s by way of constituency tasks that they see probably the most direct and tangible manifestation of the federal government and democracy.
“Nevertheless, there was a widespread and endemic misunderstanding of the aim and essence of those legislative interventions. Constituency tasks should not mere gadgets in a finances; they’re the lifelines that join the center of our authorities to the heartbeat of communities,” he acknowledged.
The Speaker defined that the tasks provide a novel alternative for legislators to handle the precise wants and challenges of their constituents.
He mentioned, “By tailoring tasks to native contexts, we make sure that growth isn’t just an idea mentioned within the halls of the legislature however a actuality skilled within the streets, villages, and cities throughout Nigeria.
“Moreover, constituency tasks finest replicate participatory governance, provided that native communities are concerned within the decision-making course of. This method doesn’t simply construct infrastructure; it builds belief, confidence, and a way of possession among the many individuals.”
Saying he was personally inspired by the various success tales that had emerged from constituency tasks during the last twenty years, Speaker Abbas famous that colleges had opened doorways to training, healthcare amenities had saved lives, and infrastructure had bridged literal and metaphorical gaps between communities.
The Speaker added: “These success tales should not simply achievements; they encourage hundreds of thousands of Nigerians on the grassroots stage and present that the federal government cares about them. With better transparency and accountability, constituency tasks might be probably the most viable instruments for growing forgotten sections of Nigeria.
“I intend to re-introduce a reviewed model of the Constituency Growth Fund Invoice to offer a authorized framework for the administration, disbursement, utilisation, and accountability of funds designated for constituency tasks.
“I urge all legislators and members of the Home of Representatives to emulate Hon. Gbajabiamila and renew their dedication to constituency tasks. We should work with integrity and objective to result in significant change for our constituents. We should always do not forget that the true measure of our success as legislators isn’t just within the legal guidelines we move however within the lives we immediately uplift.”
He lauded Gbajabiamila’s efforts in securing funding and assist for a number of tasks, together with colleges, hospitals, and numerous infrastructure developments in his Surulere 1 Federal Constituency and past when he served as a member of the Home.
He recalled how Gbajabiamila sponsored the College students’ Mortgage (Entry to Larger Training) Invoice, 2019, which has now turn into an Act of Parliament after Nigeria President signed it into regulation.
He mentioned: “I have to specific my deepest appreciation to Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Workers to the President, and, earlier than then, my predecessor because the Speaker within the ninth Home of Representatives and member representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency for six consecutive phrases, having been elected to the Home of Representatives in 2003.
“He stays one of many longest-serving lawmakers from the Southwest. His illustrious profession within the legislature attests to his management qualities, wonderful mental prowess, consistency, and dedication to the Nigerian challenge.
“Gbajabiamila’s tireless efforts and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in attracting a number of tasks, together with this one, to his beloved constituency of Surulere. Via his advocacy and management, he has constantly demonstrated a profound understanding of the transformative energy of training.
“The variety of education-related tasks executed in his twenty (20) years as a lawmaker offers credence to this assertion. Certainly, he was a pillar of knowledge, integrity, and dedication, as proven in his meteoric rise from a ground member to Minority Whip, to the Minority Chief, to the Majority Chief, and in the end to Speaker. That is one other distinctive report within the historical past of the Nigerian legislature.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Workers to the President, Hon. Gbajabiamila, narrated his story on how he began on the College of Lagos.
“On this campus, I made buddies who proceed to play essential roles in my life; I discovered and purchased the training that allowed me to turn into a lawyer right here at house and overseas. On this campus, I went from being a younger man with ambitions to a younger man with a plan. I stay very keen on and extremely happy with this nice establishment,” he mentioned.
Hon. Gbajabiamila harassed the necessity for a joint effort in direction of guaranteeing a conducive surroundings for studying and collaboration, “the place college students are protected to be themselves, are snug to consider massive concepts, and discover options to the various complicated challenges of our fashionable age.”
The ex-speaker added: “I hope that years from now, some younger college students right here will recount how they solved one world problem or one other or recall the second they stumbled on the large concept that impressed their success in enterprise or academia, in science, politics, or trade. And of their recounting, they’ll say all of it started right here in these halls. I sit up for that day certainly.”
On the commissioning of the hospital attracted by Hon. Babajimi Benson, the Speaker mentioned it was a well known proven fact that a number of vital challenges had confronted the well being sector in Nigeria.
He added that the challenges had been additional uncovered with devastating penalties in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, throughout which Lagos was the worst hit.
Hon. Gbajabiamila additionally famous that outstanding among the many points confronting the sector was insufficient well being infrastructure, saying, “Hospitals and clinics are sometimes overwhelmed in city centres like Lagos as a consequence of excessive demand.”
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