The Ogun State House of Assembly and stakeholders in the state have thrown their weight behind the 44 alteration bills approved by the National Assembly for the consideration of the State Houses of Assembly in the country.
The stakeholders canvassed for the speedy passage and subsequent assent by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
The Stakeholders spoke on Wednesday during a public hearing on the fifth alteration of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered), held at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Those who were at the event include; the National President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Akeem Ambali; Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye; State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress , Emmanuel Bankole; State Director, National Orientation Agency, Kolawole Obadina; State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Akinola Abiodun; Representative of Ogun West Stakeholders, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose; Deputy Corps Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ajayi Amos amongst others.
The stakeholders agreed in unison that subsequent passage, assent and implementation of the bills would enhance national development, especially through a more independent legislature, judiciary and local government system that would deepen democratic practice.
They also noted that parts of the alteration bills were meant to ensure efficiency in the third tier of government, promote accountability, transparency, principles of separation of powers and enhanced bio-data record keeping.
Others were improved security of lives and property as well as boosting food security; enhancing free, compulsory and basic education and fundamental rights of all citizens amongst others.
In his remarks, NULGE National President, Ambali lauded the Assembly for conveying the forum to harness stakeholders’ views, stating that it would help promote good governance at all levels, just as Mrs. Ogunleye opined that the State which had 1,565 primary schools, 511 secondary schools and 10 state-owned tertiary institutions had already been operating free basic education policy from primary to secondary schools.
She, therefore, charged parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards take advantage of the qualitative education put in place by the state government.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo expressed optimism that when the alterations were eventually carried out successfully, more institutions of government would be further strengthened, especially the three arms of government.
He said, ” Let me categorically state here that, if Nigerian democracy must meet up with other advanced democracies in the world, there is need for us as stakeholders in this country to be proactive through well calculated and concerted efforts, which must be taken when necessary to address the short-comings in our present constitution that are perceived as clogs in our wheel of progress as a Nation.
“It is imperative for this Honourable House to give necessary legislative credence to these Bills and also ensure prompt transmission of the same to the National Assembly as required.”
