A former Minority Whip of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie, has admonished the 10th National Assembly to, as a matter necessity, make the issues of constitution amendment, economic empowerment, diversification of the economy, and infrastructural development as priorities as Nigerians were anxious in seeing positive change in the socio-economic development of the nation.
Osagie, who recently emerged as the chairman of African Bar Association and Executive Director, Centre for Advance & Dynamic Leadership for Development, gave the admonition in a speech delivered while setting agenda for the 10th National Assembly at the National Political Science Association (NPSA) meeting held in Abuja.
The former federal lawmaker’s speech emailed to LEADERSHIP also addressed the need for the 10th National Assembly to right the wrong and negative perception by a section of the Nigerian public about the role of the legislature in democratic governance.
He said other key areas of national development the 10th Assembly must focus on include; education and human capital development, healthcare for all, transparent governance and accountability, security and safety of all persons and property, fix the nation’s refineries and security.
He said, “Since the dawn of the 4th Republic Nigerians have misunderstood the role of the legislature in democratic governance. While some have called for the outright scrapping of the arm of government, others have argued that their role does not deserve to be on a full-time basis.
“The implications of the varied perception of the Nigerian Legislature is that its relevance to the well-being of the citizens is doubtful. As the 10th National Assembly settles down to yet another four years of Legislative duties it has a responsibility to endeavour to change some of the negative narratives about itself.
“Arguably, these thematic areas of focus by the lower house capture the very core of the nation’s challenging social, economic and political landscape and one would expect all arms and agencies of government to have undiluted commitment to resolving the myriad of problems around these issues.
“It is no longer in doubt that the 1999 Constitutional, though amended five times, is yet to meet the yearnings of the people and provide the standard threshold for development. The National Assembly must continue to evolve means to review the provisions of the Constitution that seeks to concentrate power and resources at the center.
“In order words, there is an urgent need for thorough devolution of power and resources to States and Local governments in order to drive development faster to the grassroots. Added to that, the provisions that seek to discriminate against individuals on the basis of their gender, place/State of Origin, religion, creed and the like must be expunged to give room for a fair and egalitarian society where opportunities are available to all citizens with any discrimination.”
