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I’m Not Bothered About Rubber-Stamp Tag -Lawan …As Senate Holds Valedictory Session,‘Morrow
As the 9th Senate winds up on Saturday, Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has scored the Red Chamber high, describing his tenure as a glorious moment and a worthwhile adventure.
Lawan, who noted that the 9th Senate performed in the three core areas of lawmaking, representation and oversight, also said he was not bothered that the Senate he superintended was tagged rubber-stamp.
He said that National Assembly passed many bills into law, out of which former President Muhammadu Buhari assented to about 112.
Speaking at a valedictory session with the Senate Press Corps in Abuja, on Wednesday, Lawan said that his returning to the Senate for the 10th National Assembly having served as the President of the Senate would be purely for full representation of the people of Yobe North.
Lawan who has spent 24 years in NASS and has won re-election to the 10th Senate said he has witnessed a lot and worked with sets of Journalists.
He stressed that the Senate under him achieved the legislative agenda the lawmakers set for themselves through bipartisanship.
He cited the return of budget cycle to January to December, passage of Petroleum Industry Bill, now Petroleum Industry Act, the Electoral Act 2022 as some of the examples of the Senate achievements.
“These are the kind of things that made us happy. We have done so many things that were reported”, he said.
Lawan said, “My tenure, a glorious moment. It has been a worthwhile adventure. During my campaigns, I said we would run a Senate that worked for Nigerians and we stick to that. We started very well.
“After the election we said we would be bi- partisan and that helped us to be more effective and focused. Yes, we had disagreement but not much. On the whole, we have been able to work together as one legislature, irrespective of party affiliation. We are citizens of Nigerian, even though our parties are different. We did everything to move our country forward.
“I want to say that our unity and partnership and understanding of each other has made it possible for us to achieve much. In fact, in all my stay here, I have never seen a Senate that achieved much.”
He, however, expressed concerns over the high rate of turnover of lawmakers, which he said “affects legislative productivity and money spent on capacity building.
According to him, “I would have loved that the turn over of lawmakers will be minimal. Each time 70% are dropped, capacity development would start all over again, but that is the choice of Nigerians.
The Senate President described the Senate Press Corps members as “worthy partners in the development of Nigeria through factual reportage”.
He asked the journalists to extend same cooperation they have given him to the new leadership that would emerge next week.
Meanwhile, the Senate’s Valedictory Session scheduled to hold yesterday has been postponed till Saturday.
The postponement, The Tide learnt, was due to the meeting President Tinubu had with Senators-elect, yesterday.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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