The outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila had on Wednesday during the valedictory session of the House, officially dissolved the 9th assembly.
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House, had moved a motion to commence the valedictory session, while Rep Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Leader seconded the motion.
Gbajabiamila who has taken up another appointment as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, attended the valedictory as his last official assignment as the speaker and member of the house.
However, in his emotional valedictory speech, Hon. Gbajabiamila, who represented Surulere Federal Constituency in the House, said he could not explain how much the House had impacted his life, noting that he would miss his fellow lawmakers.
“I will miss all of you and miss this house, you have enriched my life and I cannot express how much you have impacted the house.
He however appreciated their joint efforts in nation-building, by making sure that the dreams of the nation’s founding fathers did not die.
“We have come, we have seen and while we are yet to conquer, my enthusiasm to serve remained undiminished,” he stated.
He further stated that it has been the honour of his life to serve the people of the country.
“I thank my constituency and I express gratitude to my colleagues for the privilege to serve,” he said.
The lawmaker revealed that the house had changed drastically in such a manner he had not witnessed, adding that the change came with speed as witnessed in the last four years.
According to him, the 9th House of Reps had governed well with some crucial passed and interventions made available, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Police Reform Bill, Electoral Acts Amendment Bill and, Constitutional Review, among others.
He said, “We have worked to take advantage of social and economic transformation that benefit us; we have left our mark on every sector of our national life.”
According to him, the House was able to introduce discipline on the Appropriation Act that now commenced from January to December of every year, noting that the 9th House of Reps has ended and the 10th will commence.
“I urge you to ensure that you are not found wanting by man or God in the final judgment,” he advised.
His reaction, Hon. Julius Ihovhre (APC-Edo), stated that he would forever cherish the friendship he made in the 9th assembly, noting that such a relationship would last forever.
He however applauded the outgoing speaker, for overseeing the house perfectly, and for his quality leadership, noting that he could manage a diverse group of people.
“In your new roles as the Chief of Staff to the President, the challenges you will face are more than here, we plead with you not to abandon the spirit of excellence,” he said.
He stated that the country required the kind of leader with a sense of mission while urging him to ensure the Federal Government pay attention to basic education.
Similarly, Another member from Akwa-Ibom, Luke Onofiong, said they had all made relationships that would last forever and commended his constituency for giving him the privilege to serve.
However, he commended the speaker for accommodating members and relaxing the rules to give new members a voice, saying the speaker was gentle enough to accommodate their errors.
Meanwhile, he urged the house to take the judiciary seriously with salary review.
While speaking, a lawmaker from Plateau, Yusuf Gadgi (APC-Plateau), said, “In my constituency, Muslims are 30 per cent while Christians constitute 70 per cent but they have always sent me here and for using me as a good example of how Nigeria should behave.
“What I want to say is the message of forgiveness, I want, on your behalf and other members, to forgive one another. In this assignment, we must have offended one another.
“Irrespective of the grumbling, what is right is right and people must learn to forgive others.”
A member from Borno, Aisha Duku expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve as the first woman to represent her constituency in the House.
“Mr Speaker you have blessed me to bless others, I have changed the perspective of politics in my area because this is the first time that a Fulani woman and a Muslim will come out from that area.
“I have been able to enlighten people and bring out the women to vote, which hitherto they had not.
“I have participated in Bills assented to by the president and today they are laws, I commend my committee as the Chairman, House Committee on INEC, for supporting me,” she said
Duku revealed that she is now a better Nigerian, as she travelled to a lot of places in the country, noting that her only regret was that no gender bill was passed before their tenure ended.
However, the occasion was graced by some of the former speakers, and House Leaders such as Gali Na’abba, Patricia Etteh, Mulikat Akande and some other former members and clerks of the House.
