THE Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Honourable Razaq Atunwa, has advised student lawmakers to always serve in the interests of the students they represent, saying that parliament ensures that governance is meaningful to the people.
He gave the advice while delivering a keynote address at the first Pan-African Students’ Parliamentary Conference held at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) on Saturday, December 6.
The conference was organised by the legislative arm of the Students’ Union of the institution, otherwise known as the Senate Council.
Atunwa, who took the students through the history of parliament, which originated from the United Kingdom, stressed that parliamentarians should always strive to pursue what is in the greatest interest of their people, and not their own personal interest.
“As student lawmakers, you must work hand-in-hand with the executive arm of the Students’ Union to make good laws to protect the interest of the students,’’ he added.
When asked to comment on the recent invasion of the National Assembly by the police and the scaling of fence by some lawmakers, Atunwa described legislators who climbed the fence as heroes that should be commended, stressing that some Nigerians fought hard and died for the democracy we enjoy today.
The Speaker also described the action of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Sulaiman Abba, to interpret the law as an act of rascality, noting that, ‘‘the police are not meant to adjudicate, but to protect lives and property of the citizens.’’
Earlier in his remark, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, said that the conference would provide a platform for the discussion of ideas that would generate solutions to challenges facing the African continent.
Ambali who was represented by one of his deputies, Professor Gabriel Olatunji, noted that the conference would bring out positive outcome that would benefit the African people.
In his address, the Senate President of the UNILORIN’s Senate Council, Haruna Wasiu, stressed that for Africa to gain a front position in the contemporary world, the legislators must rise to her core task of enacting laws that would fast track the progress and development of Africa.
The conference, which was held in honour of Dr Ali Ahmad, chairman House of Representatives Committee on Justice, attracted participants from different tertiary institutions from within and outside Nigeria.
Hameed Muritala and Olasupo Abideen
(UNILORIN)