For them, the gathering offered another opportunity to share experience, learn from each other and find solutions to the myriad of problems and development challenges bedeviling the African continent.
Since the CPA Africa Region came on board in 1980, it has left an imprint on the continent’s sphere of governance. This can be seen from past resolutions of the conferences in areas like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), food security, climatic change among other important areas.
Since the return of democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999, the country’s parliamentarians have played various roles in promoting the ideals of the CPA. However, as with many things Nigerian, the enthusiasm shown by participants to the CPA conferences at the beginning of the millennium has since waned. This can be seen from the attitude of Nigerians who show up at past conferences but depart almost immediately the opening ceremony was concluded without waiting to take part in crucial committee level sessions. That was the norm at least until the emergence of Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the leader of Nigerian delegation to the CPA.
The sign that things would be different with Tambuwal began to emerge during last year’s CPA conference in London. However, it was at last week’s gathering of the Africa Region of the association that Nigeria not only took its rightful place among sister nations, but left the stage with a positive impression not seen since 1999.
By the end of the conference, and largely due to his insistence on attending all scheduled activities at the conference, a new picture had emerged on the person and character of Tambuwal, a sort that inspired confidence among participants, observers and other Nigerians who attended the forum.
From their utterances during and after the conference, Nigerians gathered at the Michel Angelo Convention Centre made it clear that a new dawn has befallen the country’s legislature. To them, Tambuwal, like a General tasked with the mandate of leading his troops to battle, roused them into action in the most positive manner.
Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, praised Tambuwal’s efforts which he said had ensured that Nigerian lawmakers participated actively in all the sessions of the week-long conference. He said for the first time in many years, Nigeria made the necessary impact in the continental gathering due largely to Tambuwal’s influence.
“Our delegates took part in all the sessions and made useful contributions many of which were adopted at various committee levels. This is instructive considering the fact that we were notorious for not showing up at such gatherings or if we do, we pack our belongings and return home early.
“This change of attitude was made possible by the leader of our delegation (Tambuwal) who took part in all the sessions and led by example. Due to his diligence, our country has reaped the benefit of its attendance. Our members from the National Assembly and various State Assemblies have enriched their legislative skills and I am sure we will benefit from it when we return home,” Ekweremadu added.
For the President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), Hon Bethel Amadi, Tambuwal’s pragmatic style of leadership not only at the CPA conference but also in the House of Representatives, has injected confidence into the operations of the lawmakers at international fora like the one provided by the Gauteng conference.
Speaking at a lunch attended by Nigerian delegates, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Rafiu Babatunde Adejare, said the leadership provided by Speaker Tambuwal at the conference offered an opportunity for the lawmakers to retool and strategies for better service delivery back home. According to him, taking part in the CPA will play a big role in fostering unity and understanding among lawmakers from the continent and the entire Commonwealth as a whole.
“For the benefit of those who do not know the Speaker well, I must say that he is an exemplary leader whose love for Nigeria is deep. As you can see here, he has given each and every one of us a sense of belonging not minding the fact that some of us are from the National Assembly while others are from States Houses of Assembly. In our midst here are persons of different political leanings but in Tambuwal’s book, we are all one and the same people who are here to represent the interest of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Adejare said.
On his part, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Sam Ikom, said the new found synergy existing between the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly will be beneficial to the country. He commended Tambuwal for his efforts; saying with the legislature working together, Nigerian democracy is on the right path.
According to Hon Luke Onofiok, a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly who attended the conference as a delegate, Tambuwal is proving to be one of the greatest leaders among the present crop of leaders in the country.
His words: “My respect for the Speaker knows no bound. From what I have seen in this conference, he is a team player who has given every member a sense of belonging. In my book, he is a true nationalist.”
No doubt, the Commonwealth Parliamentarians may have spoken the minds of millions of Nigerians who have come to appreciate Tambuwal’s leadership style since he was elected to head the House of Representatives in June last year. Within this period, he has justified the confidence of those who reposed their trust in him. The Speaker showed commendable leadership technique that saw Nigerian delegates to the CPA conference come together in demonstration of unity. Importantly, their contributions were hailed by all participants as the best of its kind in recent memory.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
I'm No Longer Interested, My Spirit Has Left There - Fubara Speaks on Returning As Rivers Gov. (VID)
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike Storms Venue of PDP Meeting With Governors Present
Panic In Abuja As Pastor Shoots Two Immigration Officers After Being Mistaken Them For Robbers
Retired Teacher, Mallam Kabiru Killed, Wife Abducted As Bandits Invade Zamfara School Quarters
Army Busts Gunrunning Syndicate in Plateau, Two Arrested With AK-47 (Photos)
Ringside Rumble? Fans Hype Possible Boxing Showdown Between Small Doctor And Portable
16-Year-Old Maths Wizard, Olamide Aderibigbe Scores 336 Overall In UTME; Scores 98 in Maths