From Our Correspondent
Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abdulkarim Lawan has become the longest serving Speaker in the country after he marked 10 years of uninterrupted speakership in his state House of Assembly.
Lawan emerged as Speaker on Thursday 9th February 2012, after the impeachment of Hon Goni Ali Modu, his predecessor. Members of the House of Assembly led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Abdullahi Askira commended the Speaker for his simplicity, principles and transparency in all legislative matters in the last 10 years, describing him as a detribalized politician.
Many of the lawmakers said there exist cordial relationship between the Executives, Judiciary and the Legislature, and this is being spearheaded by the Speaker and Borno people have been the greatest beneficiaries of this as could be seen in developmental projects springing all over the state.
The lawmakers said Governor Zulum has within just two and half years executed over 600 people oriented projects spread across the 27 local government areas, and this is largely as a result of the cordial relationship existing between the Assembly and the Executive.
Lawan while speaking to journalists on his landmark achievement, thanked God, and the present government under the leadership of Governor Zulum, his colleagues at the assembly, and the good people of the state, especially those from his constituency (Guzamala) for giving him the mandate to offer service to humanity.
He passed a vote of confidence on the leadership style of Zulum’s APC- led administration, especially in the ongoing stabilization and resettlement of millions of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs back to their ancestral homes.
Lawan said, during the years under review, uncountable bills were passed into law under his leadership, however, he explained that, he always feels proud of the bill passed which led to the establishment of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) that came into force in 2013 as a volunteer group helping the military to combat Boko Haram, and as well the bill that was recently passed and signed into law for domestication of Child Rights Protection Act, which will provide western education, healthcare delivery service and other needful for children roaming the streets in the state.
He said: “On behalf of my humble self and family, I want to use this opportunity to thank God Almighty for making it possible for me to clock 10 years of uninterrupted leadership in office. I want to also commend government, all my colleagues at the assembly, and the good people of the state, especially those from my constituency (Guzamala) for their unflinching support and by giving me the mandate to offer service to humanity.
“I want to also express confidence on the leadership style of governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s APC- led administration, especially in the ongoing stabilization and Resettlement of millions of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs back to their ancestral homes as well as execution of over 600 people oriented projects across the 27 Local Government Areas.”
He added that: “Since the establishment of the Civilian-JTF there has been a tremendous improvement in return of gradual peace, and relationship between the civilian populace and the armed forces. I want to pay tribute to all our gallant officers and men who have paid the supreme sacrifices for us to have peace in this part of the world” he said, adding that the tribute also was for CJTF, many of whom have died, paying the far reaching sacrifice for the state to have peace.”
Speaking on the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abdullahi Askira described Lawan as a team player, very humble and hardworking Legislator, who believes in transparency and rule of law in all his dealings in the House.
He said in the last 10 years, the Speaker has brought stability and due process, as we have never had any problem among ourselves, as we operates rancour free despite our ethnic or socio cultural backgrounds.
He said: “I can recall that at a point in time, youths became worried over the incessant killings and destruction of properties by insurgents, and the House under the leadership of the Speaker had to pass the Bill for establishment or emergence of the Civilian JTF. The constitution of the Civilian JTF was a Child of Necessity, which has brought sanity, normalcy and peace not only in Borno, the north east, but the country as a whole.
“Infact, it was when Borno established it’s own Civilian JTF before some other states of the federation started emulating us, so the credit must be given to the Speaker in this regard.”
Another Member representing Nganzai State Constituency, Hon Mohammed Ali Gajiram said, “the Speaker has exhibited successful leadership, by making the lives of his team members and workers better.
“This he achieved by setting a harmonious working relationship between the House and the Executive, by maintaining a cordial relationship with the entire assembly members and the management”.
