The Speaker of the House of Representatives has decried as harrowing the attacks that have specifically targeted schools, where innocent children, especially girls, are abducted in Nigeria.
He lauded the men and women of the Armed Forces for their unwavering commitment to the fight against the insecurity and terrorism threatening the nation.
The Speaker gave the commendation at the resumption of Lawmakers from its Easter and Eid-el-Fitri break.
The Speaker said that despite the significant progress made in improving security, the House will not relent in its job of proffering laws that will holistically stem the tide of insecurity bedevilling some parts of the country.
“As we resume plenary sessions today, it is imperative that we reflect on some of the critical developments that coincided with our recess. Firstly, we acknowledge with profound gratitude the recent feats recorded by our security forces in some parts of the country, most especially in Borno and Katsina States, where many terrorists and bandits were neutralised and weapons recovered. I wish to express our profound gratitude and unwavering support to the brave men and women of our armed forces. Day and night, these courageous officers battle against the tides of insecurity and the scourge of terrorism that threaten the peace of our nation. The House will continue to support their efforts and ensure that the lives and livelihoods of all Nigerians are protected from any internal and external threats. Despite significant progress in improving security, recent happenings remind us of the task ahead.
“The gruesome and dastardly murder of military personnel in Okuama in Delta State highlights the risks faced by those who continuously put their lives on the line for our defence and security. While condemning the killings, the House commiserates with the families of the fallen heroes.
“We urge security agencies to leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice. Similarly, we urge everyone involved to exercise restraint and allow the law of the land to take its course.
“I wish to specifically commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for personally leading the funeral of the gallant patriots and awarding posthumous national honours to all seventeen of them. His gesture of scholarships and houses to the families of the slain military personnel is equally highly laudable” Mr Abbas said.
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He noted that the House is painfully aware of the harrowing attacks specifically targeted at schools, where innocent children, especially girls, are abducted.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas who maintained that the House stands united with the armed forces in advocating for comprehensive strategies to safeguard schools, stressed that it will not allow the ambitions of the next generation to be thwarted by fear.
“Schools, which should be sanctuaries of learning and safety, have become targets for terrorists and kidnappers. These acts are not only heinous but are direct attacks on the future of Nigeria and rob children of their right to education and secure childhood. The implications of these assaults stretch far beyond the immediate pain and disruption they cause. They sow fear in communities, discourage school attendance, and potentially stifle the education of a generation. We must not allow the ambitions of our children to be thwarted by fear.
“The House stands united with our armed forces and will advocate for comprehensive strategies to safeguard our schools. This involves not only physical security measures such as fencing, security personnel, and surveillance technologies but also community-based strategies that involve local leaders in our security framework.
“On our part, we will continue to ensure that our security agencies have the necessary tools and legislation to act effectively. To this end, we recommend the establishment of a dedicated fund specifically for school safety. This fund will support the implementation of advanced security measures and training of security personnel and communities on strategies for protecting educational environments. Mindful of the financial requirements, this model can be piloted in a few schools, especially those that are most vulnerable to such attacks” he said.
Regional counter-terrorism centre
The Speaker also said that the House supports President Tinubu’s drive to establish a regional counter-terrorism centre for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building throughout Africa.
“The House will continuously dialogue with the security sector to identify legislative gaps hindering operational effectiveness. By understanding their needs directly, we can craft laws that empower rather than encumber. It is in this regard that we convened the first National Dialogue on State Policing.
“Various high-level stakeholders, including two former presidents, emphasised the need to review our policing structure to respond better to emerging threats, especially at the community level. The recommendations from the conversation have been forwarded to the Committee on Constitutional Alteration for further legislative action.
“Additionally, I have constituted the Steering Committee for the Legislative Security Summit with members drawn from all the security-based committees of the House,” he said.
Economic development
On the economic front, the Speaker noted that the government has made significant strides towards improving the economy.
“In the past months, the government has implemented several measures to stabilise the economy, enhance productivity, and boost investor confidence.
“Also, targeted actions are being taken to alleviate the inflationary effects of these reforms on the most vulnerable.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also taken critical steps to tighten monetary policy and refocus on its core mandate of maintaining price stability. It also hiked interest rates by 400 basis points to 22.75%, to contain inflation and ease pressure on the Naira. I commend the Governor and his team for their proactiveness and focus” he said.
Mr Abbas pointed out that going forward, however, there is a need to implement measures that strengthen the value of Naira in the long term.
“This includes implementing policies and initiatives focusing on value creation, multiplication and expansion. One sure, even if difficult, way of achieving this is through optimising agricultural and industrial productivity and exploring our mineral wealth, as indicated above. Revitalising rural areas and enhancing rural connectivity can increase local production and stimulate the primary market” he said.
He also urged each member to fully utilise the newly renovated facilities to improve their service delivery to the nation.
“It is our responsibility to make the fullest and best use of this space by re-dedicating ourselves to legislation that prioritises the welfare and well-being of our people and our nation. As the maxim goes, “To whom much is given, much is expected. As we reconvene for this plenary session, I must emphasise the critical role of legislative oversight, a cornerstone of our mandate as the representatives of the Nigerian people. With the 2024 budget in the implementation phase, we must intensify our efforts to monitor and evaluate the compliance and performance of the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs)” he said.
Speaker Abbas reiterated that the oversight duties and investigative hearings of the assembly must be conducted with a heightened level of thoroughness, transparency, and effectiveness.
Emmanuel Ukoh
