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The National Assembly, the seat of both the Sanate and the members of House of Representatives, as everyone knows, is a place where laws are made. But the visit on June 28, 2012, students of Jetter Montessoori, Jalingo, Taraba State, came all the way to visit their member, who has distinguished himself in representing them
Hon. Aminu Ibrahim Malle, the indefatigable House member representing Jaling/Yorro/Zing federal constituency of Taraba State was a happy as a smile when he hosted the pupils of Jetter Montessori Primary and Secondary Schools on a visit to observe and understand the workings of the National Assembly and also appreciate the efforts being undertaken by the legislature to deliver the proverbial dividends of democracy to the people.
The children, numbering over 70, from ages 4 to 15, courageously undertook the long, winding and tortuous journey of over 700km from Jalingo, Taraba State capital to Abuja, with one overarching objective- to see their federal representative in flesh, move around the nooks and crannies of the National Assembly, observe the environment and installations there in, and finally applaud the strenuous efforts Hon, Aminu Malle has taken so far to restore hope and smiles on the faces of his long toiling constituents since he assumed office one year ago.
After touring the National Assembly complex, the student delegation stormed the office of the Hon. Malle and in a deeply appreciative manner, he thanked them for their visit, acknowledging that it was no not a tea party: “I know it is not easy for children of your tender age to come all the way from Jalingo by road, this alone is a proof that you are prepared to learn. I want you to have this at the back of your mind that nothing good comes easy, if you need something, you must be prepared for it and I tell you, you have started on a very sound and solid footing”
Elaborating further, Hon. Malle also admonished them to pursue their life ambition relentlessly while showing their parents and teachers with unvarnished respect and reverence: “There is a saying that he who wants to fly must first stand and walk, you cannot just fly instantly, you must learn how to walk, you must learn how to run before you learn to fly. Now a word of caution: There is no one single child that can grow up and realize his or her ambition without giving respect to his/her teachers and parents; he or she must be modest, humble, upright, constantly prepared to show that he/she wants to achieve his or her ambition in life. Above all, respect your parents because charity begins at home. Because it is those parents that gave birth to you, trained and brought you to the level you are today. They pay your school fees, you don’t know how they struggled and fought to pay your school fees because it is very exorbitant these days, just because they want you to realize your ambition in life.”
Hon Malle revealed that while many regard it as a daunting endeavour, it is not impossible to mix academics with politics, as he, a prolific lecturer has managed to combine his lifelong ambition to teach the younger ones with a vibrant career in politics where he seeks to merge the theory of the classroom with the practicality of governance serving variously as special adviser and commissioner in numerous portfolios to the Taraba State government and now a venerable member of the Federal House of Representatives.
“I grew up with an ambition to become a lecturer in life and thank God today; I am a lecturer by profession (applause). I also happen to be a politician by the disposition of God, so I am here today as a doctorate degree holder that has lectured for many years. So whatever you want to do, try and do it well. Some of you might think that combining politics with academics is not possible but I tell you it is very possible. You are in the academia to understand the problems this country is going through. Once you acquire this knowledge you might be amputated, you won’t have the strength and position to advance the knowledge you have acquired, so the best thing to do is to look for the appropriate position where you can contribute your quota so that your education will be worthwhile to the society.”
Hon Malle’s address was however, interspersed with served rounds of applause from his youthful audience. The meeting ended with a question and answer session with Joyce Musa and Otuekong Elijah, both SS2 students engaging the Honourable member. Answering questions on the potentiality of the Mambilla Plateau tourism, an upbeat Hon Malle was emphatic. He said that if properly harnessed, the area’s resources can sustain Nigeria in the area of hydroelectric power supply and also in conjunction with Gashaka/Gumthi Game Reserve boost the tourism dynamics and imperatives of the nation:
“The potentials of Mambilla Plateau are enough to sustain Nigeria. There was a team that went to survey the area on the possibility of generating additional megawatts for our power generating system in Nigeria and it was established that Mambilla hydro electric power potentials alone can sustain Nigeria. Apart from that there are various mineral resources underground that can sustain Nigeria if adequately exploited and harnessed. And when you talk of tourism, I believe you are aware of Gashaka/Gumthi Game Reserve, and if you move from there to Mambilla Plateau and then to Cameroon, there exists enormous potentials for tourism and if it can be given enough attention, a lot can be achieved there.”
On the insecurity situation presently affecting the nation, Hon Malle said: “the recent shakeups in government is meant to also tackle the problem but holistically, security is a collective issue, it also involves me and you and everybody, not just government alone. Our security lies in our hands and if you see any suspicious thing, movement or person around, it is your duty to notify the security agencies and you will end up saving a lot of lives and also reduce the level of insecurity in the country.’’
