Prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, and member of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, has congratulated Obong (Senator) Godswill Akpabio on his historic election as the President of the Senate of the 10th National Assembly on Tuesday.
He eulogised Senate President Akpabio for his tenacity and commitment to the service of Nigeria.
In a press statement, Olorogun Okumagba noted that Akpabio’s election comes at a time governance under President Bola Tinubu, was being re-tooled for the benefit of the masses.
This, according to him, was to regain the trust and interest of the citizens in the national project of good and progressive governance for which the National Assembly, as the democratically elected representatives of the people must play a major role.
As the representative body of all Nigerians, Okumagba urged the new Senate President to be a strong partner in this effort.
The former Delta State Commissioner for Finance also noted that this was a crucial time in our nation when the people need a Parliament that will further improve on the legislative accomplishments of the 9th Assembly and work for the people.
Okumagba, therefore, urged Senate President Akpabio and the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to justify the confidence reposed in them especially at a moment such as this one.
Olorogun Okumagba reminded Senate President Akpabio that his emergence was taking place at a time when President Tinubu has committed to “governing according to the constitution and the rule of law; to defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country; and to remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end of extreme poverty.”
Already, in fulfilment of his “progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal” President Tinubu has signed into law the bill on the uniform retirement age for judicial officers to 70 years, followed by the Student Loan Bill to provide easy access to higher education for Nigerians through interest-free loans.
According to Okumagba, being entrusted with a great privilege of leading the nation’s upper legislative chamber at such a time as this requires a robust legislative agenda that will support President Tinubu’s agenda for the benefit of all.
Okumagba also noted that Senate President Akpabio’s emergence was “a moment replete with pride, because beyond being his achievement, it was also an achievement for the nation’s South-South geo-political region as the nation’s Senate has, for the first time since the return to democracy in 1999, chosen a Senator from our region to preside over its proceedings. He stated that he has no doubt that Senator Akpabio will be balanced and judicious, and will lead the Senate with equanimity.”
The NDDC Board member also noted that the 10th National Assembly has a larger number of new legislators and therefore urged Senate President Akpabio to take advantage of the infusion of new thinking, new perspectives, and new energy to tackle the needs of the Nigerian people as the Senators, under his leadership, collectively work hard and well for their constituents and for all Nigerians.
