Dogara
Speaker
of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has disclosed
that the House, under his leadership, cooperated with the Executive
arm of the Federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari by
giving speedy consideration and passage to legislation and other
requests forwarded by the President that will fast-track
implementation of the administration's policies and plans.
Noting
that there were times the House passed Executive Bills within two
days or one week, he added that the 8th House of Representatives is
the most performing in Nigeria’s political history from
independence in 1960 to date.
He
spoke in Abuja when he received the Euro Knowledge Award in
recognition of his exemplary leadership which was conferred on him
last month at the United Kingdom’s Parliament and another one by
Nigeria's Federal government for his contribution to passage of Ease
Of Doing Business Bills in Nigeria.
Receiving
the award, Speaker Dogara said, “We have done exceptionally well.
It is on record that this has been the most productive National
Assembly ever, as well as unparalleled House in the history of the
House of Representatives.
“We
hope that those who are coming after us, those who will take over
from us will do better and be able to rededicate themselves and to
achieve the ideals they set out for themselves. When we started out
on the 8th Assembly, it was our desire and thank God we can say today
that we have cleaned up virtually all Laws we inherited from even
1800. For some of us who read Law, we may have knowledge on the
Statutes of General Application.”
“Before
we embarked on this massive exercise, some of our Law books were
still containing Pounds Sterling, in some Laws, some addresses in the
United Kingdom were even mentioned. To the credit of the 8th
Assembly, all those things are no longer reflected in the body of our
Laws. “
“For
the Ease of Doing Business, anyone who thinks we have not supported
Government enough in the bid to create a conducive business
environment to attract better investment into Nigeria should check
what we have done in the area of the ease of doing business in
Nigeria.
“There
were times when we ensured that within days or weeks, we passed
these Bills that were required to jumpstart this process to bring
Nigeria out of recession and prosper. This made Nigeria jump about 24
places in the Global Index of the World ranking of nations in the
Ease of Doing Business. Words like these only spur one to do his
best, we will continue to do our best in the interest of our country
and of its people in whatever position we are.
“I
want to specifically says that I am deeply indebted to the entire
Membership of the 8th Assembly, they made all this happen, so I
dedicate these Awards to the ever wonderful Members of the 8th
Assembly.”
Speaking
earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Ethics & Privilege,
Hon Ossai N. Ossai (PDP, Delta), who received the awards on behalf of
the Speaker, stated that Hon Dogara was found worthy of the
recognitions due to the impact and the kind of Laws passed by the
House that have made great impact in Nigeria.
“One
of such Laws is the ease of doing Business Law that you have
championed, guided the House, shown positive contribution to, this
has made the Nigerian economy which had gone into recession to jump
another 24 points on the economic index and because of the positive
impact you have, as well as the leadership stand you always bring to
bear. Many people are placed in authority; very few, however,
actually lead, you are one of such few. Your name will be positively
etched in the history of Nigeria.
“This
other Award was also handed to the House of Representatives for all
the impactful Laws made, even the President has acknowledged your
impact in effective Lawmaking. For your visionary leadership and for
the path you have laid; we will continue to celebrate you because of
your knowledge of the Legislature as an Institution of Government,
and because you have protected that Institution very well.
On
his part, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon
Abdulrazak Namdas, who also received an award on behalf of the
Speaker from the Arewa Online Publishers Forum said, “the forum
believes that you have done credibly well to steer the ship of the
8th House of Representatives in the National Assembly. To be
specific, they singled out the Legislative Agenda that you campaigned
on for particular commendation as it has greatly improved the
business of Lawmaking in the National Assembly.
“You
also brought some positive reforms, for example when presenting
budget, a Committee of the House was put in place to interact with
external stakeholders to bring suggestions, even though the House
could do it, but it was done to give Nigerians a say. As watchdogs of
the society, they thought it necessary to honour you. I also
collected on your behalf, a lifetime achievement award, no need to
repeat myself, this is also for the same exemplary leadership you
have continued to show.”
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