REMARKS BY THE RT. HON. ABBAS TAJUDEEN, PH.D, SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT THE STAKEHOLDERS’ DIALOGUE WITH THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE AGENDA HELD AT THE TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL, ABUJA, ON MONDAY, 24TH JULY, 2023

Protocol

It is with a feeling of fulfilment and a great sense of responsibility that I welcome you to this very important citizens’ dialogue. I wish to sincerely commend the Chairman and Members of the Committee on Legislative Agenda and our technical partners for convening this critical stakeholders’ meeting to harness citizens’ input to the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House.

2. It is gratiying to note that the committee has been proactive and engaging for more than one months now. In this regard, I must particularly appreciate the Chairman who is the Leader of the House, Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere, for his commitment and PLAC for their support. There is no better way to show that the 10th Houses of Representatives is ready to respond and urgently too, to the yearnings of those who brought us to the People’s House to do the People’s business.
3. Today’s event is in keeping with our resolve as representatives of the people to regularly consult citizens in the discharge of the mandate given to us. You will recall that while welcoming colleagues from our short recess on the 4th of this month, I declared the 10th House as the House of the People. Indeed, my speech was aptly titled ‘In the People’s House for the People’s Mandate’. I equally promised that while it is the duty of the House to develop a Legislative Agenda for which our constituents will hold us accountable, the House would not hesitate to consult with critical stakeholders in developing the agenda to elicit their own input and areas of expectations, which is the reason we have gathered here this morning.
4. We can never over-emphasize the fact that citizens’ engagement is the fulcrum of a representative democracy. It is only through such engagements that legislators will become truly, the representatives of the people. To do otherwise, will amount to a democracy without the people.
5. It is fitting therefore, that the Committee on Legislative Agenda, in the course of its assignment, has convened this forum to get from citizens, what they consider the most pressing legislative need of our nation. I urge the stakeholders gathered here, to make the most use of this very important opportunity.
6. It is my expectation that our conversations will centre around the critical needs of our people at this time. As articulated in my speech on the 4th of July, 2023, “the House will pay priority attention to participatory budgeting process and delivery, law reform, electoral reform, women’s participation and inclusion in governance, improved socio-economic conditions, entrepreneurship, employment, health and education, infrastructure, citizens-focused diplomacy, institutional capacity and citizens engagement, constitutional amendment and restructuring, among others”. I understand that the Committee has expanded on these themes. As stakeholders, feel free to suggest your ideas or even bring up more themes on what will make the 10th House more responsive to the expectations of our people.
7. Our desire is to have a legislative agenda that meets the yearnings and aspirations of citizens and with which they would use as a benchmark to evaluate and assess our performance after four years. Therefore, today’s meeting should not be seen as the usual talk-shop. Consider it a critical national assignment.
8. Our engagement with citizens will go beyond today’s consultation. The ‘Open NASS’ project of the 10th House of Representatives requires regular consultations with the people as we strive to return the Legislature to those who own it through regular, meaningful, and productive engagements. It equally requires lawmakers to have functional constituency offices for regular interaction with our constituents.
9. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I wish us a fruitful and productive engagement.
10. Thank You. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.