By Mercy Aikoye
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has reaffirmed the 10th House’s commitment to aligning its legislative efforts with the dynamic aspirations of the Nigerian people.
Speaking at the Citizens’ Roundtable with the leadership of the House in Zaria, the Speaker emphasized the importance of citizens’ engagement in formulating impactful policies that address critical needs.
“We acknowledge that the voices of the citizenry are of paramount significance, serving as the solemn foundation upon which impactful legislations, transformative policies, and consequential decisions are made and enacted,” he said.
The Speaker, represented by Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), noted that the House has expanded its citizens’ engagement to the geopolitical zones to ensure inclusivity.
“Our steadfast commitment to a flourishing democracy is deeply entrenched in the principle of active and meaningful civic engagement,” he added.
The Citizens’ Roundtable, supported by the Ford Foundation through Global Rights, brought together representatives from various sectors, including ministers, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, academia, and market traders.
The Speaker expressed gratitude to the people of Zaria Federal Constituency for trusting him with their mandate and emphasized the need for direct interactions to render accounts of his stewardship.
“I cherish opportunities to engage with my dear people and account for my stewardship. I sincerely want to appreciate the good people of Zaria Federal Constituency for trusting me with their mandate,” he said.
The event provided a platform for diverse opinions on the achievements of the 10th Assembly and areas requiring improvement, with participants urged to bring out critical issues affecting their communities.
In his remarks, the Programmes Manager of Global Rights, Mr. Edosa Eviarhe, noted that “strong democracies are built on representative governance where the people have a say in how they are governed.”
