…Noheem Adams, Fatai Mojeed, elected Majority Leader, Chief Whip
Rt (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa, representing Agege Constituency 1, and Hon Mojisola Meranda (Apapa 1) have been elected as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa emerged Speaker for a third consecutive times while Meranda who was Chief Whip in the 9th Assembly won without any counter-nomination.
Hon. Temitope Adewale (Ifako/Ijaiye 1) nominated Obasa while Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu (Epe 2) seconded the nomination.
After both nominations, no other member was nominated for the position of Speakership and Deputy Speakership.
In his acceptance speech, Obasa commended his colleagues for electing him as the Speaker.
It would be recalled that Obasa was elected as a lawmaker in 2003 which makes him the first legislator to be elected for six times and the first to be Speaker for three consecutive terms in Nigeria.
While appreciating Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support, Obasa said, his defence of the legislature from external forces and manipulations cannot be de-emphasised.
Speaking after his election, Obasa urged his colleagues to work with him in order to achieve their goals.
“We will need to work hard, be innovative and most importantly, stay united. As Honourable members, we must abstain from being purveyors and sponsors of negative publicity and publications about this House.
“As we begin a new chapter in the history of this Assembly, I want to affirm my commitment to the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance.
“My goal is to ensure that every member of this Assembly is respected and valued, and that we work together to provide effective representation for the people of Lagos State.
“Lagos State is a great state with even greater potentials and we have a responsibility to harness these potentials and maximise them for the benefit of our people.
“We must prioritise the welfare of our constituents and ensure that our policies and legislative framework are geared towards meeting their needs. Under my leadership, this House will operate an open and inclusive administration where all members are carried along and given equal opportunity to contribute towards the development of the State.
“We cannot achieve greatness working in isolation. Therefore, I encourage all the branches of government to work together in harmony to ensure that we build a Lagos State that we can all be proud of. Together, we have an opportunity to build a better Lagos, a Lagos that provides equal opportunities for all, a Lagos that is safe and secure, a Lagos that is a model for sustainable development in Nigeria and the world.
“As a responsible and responsive House of Assembly, our legislative agenda for the 10th Assembly are: To promote and strengthen legislative institutions from State to local government level; recommitment to the establishment of a Centre for Democracy and Legislative Studies; to review the old laws with a view to bringing them to modern reality, especially laws that established agencies, parastatals that are no longer viable; to rejig our regular legislative consultation; and to ensure prudent fiscal and financial policies through robust and engaging legislation,” said Obasa.
On subsidy, Obasa urged Nigerians to embrace the policy saying it has a lasting positive effects on all and the country.
According to him, Nigerians should take a clue from the introduction of the mobile communications networks in Nigeria years ago and how they were beyond the reach of many citizens
