No doubt a vibrant and independent legislative is a necessary requirement for the entrenchment of democratic value and sustenance legislative in a democratic settings is an important arm empowered by the constitution to make laws that will guide in providing good governance, thereby promoting transparency and accountability. In fact the NASS derived its function from the 1999 constitution in which it conferred on the NASS, the power over Nigeria’s wealth treasury and such other issues involving the prosecution of war outside the country and regulation of how the office of the country’s president should function.

It also has the power to make laws for the general good governance of the country, peace, stability, economic wellbeing such other functions stipulated by the 1999 constitution. These includes their oversight function, to check the excessive of the executive arm. It comprise of 109 distinguished senators, elected into the red chambers, three each from the 36 states of the federation, one from the FCT, and 360 members of the lower chamber (Green Chamber) of the House of Representatives elected from various federal constituencies across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
Nigeria’s began experimenting parliamentary in 1955, with the formation of the first republic parliament with Fredrick Metcalfe as the first speaker of the parliament. From 1955 to date this arm of government has transformed from parliament to presidential system of government. In its seventy years of existence as an arm of government under a democratic settings from inception to date, Nigeria has witnessed the emergence of 15 speakers of the parliament (House of Representatives).
They includes Fredrick Metcalfe 1955 to 1959, Jaja Wachukwu 1959-1960, Ibrahim Jalo Waziri 1960-1966, with the advent of the second republic, Edwin Ume Ezeoke emerged speaker of the House of Representatives from 1979 – 1983, and while Benjamin Chaha was elected speaker from 1st October 1983 to 31st December 1983.

During the third republic Agunwa Anakwe was elected speaker from Dec 1992 – Nov 1993. In the fourth republic nine persons from various geo-political zones of the country emerged as Speaker’s of the House of Assembly, from Salisu Buhari in 1999 to the present speaker Abass Tajuddeen.

Specifically, section fifty of the Nigerian Constitution, guarantee the creation of the office of the president of the senate and that of the speaker of the House of Representatives number three and four in term of hierarchy of evolution of power.
For the records, from 1955 to date fifteen eminent Nigerian’s have served the parliamentary/House of Representatives as principal officers/speakers of this honorable house.

The emergence of Tajudeen Abass as the fifteen speaker of the House of Representative, from Zaria constituency is a game changer in the political history of the country. His constituency Zaria is one of the most populous constituency we have in the country, with about seven hundred and sixty thousand people covering five hundred and sixty three kilometers.

Zaria is a cosmopolitan city which accommodate the largest university, Ahmadu Bello University and several other tertiary institution, therefore, the people of Zaria remains grateful to other Nigerians for electing it illustrious, competent and knowledgeable son to lead the green chamber of the NASS.

He is a silent achiever in his about sixteen year’s as member representing Zaria in the House of Representatives, from 2011 to date. He has contributed immensely in promulgation of several laws through the sponsorship of several bills aimed at enhancing the qualities of lives of Nigerians. In fact he was one of the sponsors of the highest bills in the eight assembly 2015-2019, with seventy four bills, out of which twenty one were duly signed into law.

Apart from his contributions to bill sponsorship Tajudeen Abass has a vast range of experience in the House of Representatives in the various committee’s he served from 2011 to 2023. It was record that he served in commerce, finance, special duties, defense, public procurement, national planning and economic development as member. This is in addition to his being chairman for land transport, the various committee’s he served and chaired in the House of Representatives has helped share his vision and focus and has contributed a lot in his emergence as the speaker of the Tenth Assembly.

Dr. Abass Tajudeen aka TJ is a politician with a Midas touch, focused and versatile in knowledge. He has been winning election from the date he ventured into politics in 2010, crowning it with his emergence as speaker of the Tenth Assembly. He is very popular among the electorates partly due to his kindness, and philanthropic gesture.

No wonder since his emergence as the Speaker, other members of the house have rallied behind him to ensure his success, hitch free tenure. He has demonstrated leadership qualities by carrying all members of the house along in every aspect of legislative activities. This has endeared him to several opposition party members in the house defecting to the ruling All Progressive Congress party (APC), thereby swelling the ruling party member of seats in the House of Representatives. His leadership style has helped stabilize activities in the House of Representatives and by extension legislative/ executive relationship, devoid of rancor and commotion as witnessed in the past.

On Dividends of Democracy, to the people of Zaria constituency, the constituents remained grateful to the speaker for his effort to alleviate their sufferings through the various empowerment programmes he initiated. Since before his inception as speaker, TJ had served as member representing Zaria for almost a decade and had performed credibly well. He has sunk many boreholes, rehabilitated and built many schools/classes and other empowerment schemes he initiated.
However, after his emergence as Right Honorable Speaker, residents of the constituency began to feel the impact of the office. For example one of the scheme initiated by the speaker is the disbursement of N5 billion naira scholarship to 30,000 students from the North West. Investigation revealed that the scheme which is unprecedented will comprise of seven thousand students from Kaduna State, while the remaining will come from other North West states of Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa and Kebbi states.

The scholarship is aimed at providing financial support to students, ranging from N200,000.00 to N800,000.00 each depending on tuition fees and course of study. Students who attended the launching of the programme in Zaria were full of praises to the speaker for his support and cooperation in their pursuit of the various education careers.
Another giant stride in the area of education recorded by Dr. Tajudeen Abass in Zaria constituency has to do with effort to improve learning environment in both primary and secondary schools in the Zaria constituency. It is on record that so far over one hundred and ten primary schools and forty secondary schools have been renovated and upgraded, while more schools are expected to benefit later.
This is in addition to the facilitation of some development projects by the speaker in Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Nigeria Institute of Leather and Science Technology, NILEST as well as Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic aimed at enhancing learning and the provision of conducive atmosphere through the execution of various projects.
Another giant stride recorded by the speaker in the constituency is the initiation and development of education village in Zaria valued at about eighty billion naira which will involve the construction of a dedicated care Centre that will accommodate four brand new tertiary institutions.

The tertiary institutions to be constructed includes a campus of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, new Federal College of Education, provision of a state-of-the-art Federal College of Nursing and Health Sciences and College of Legal Studies, which will swell the number of tertiary institutions in not only Zaria, but Kaduna State as a whole, providing job opportunities and ease the sufferings of students seeking admission into tertiary institutions.

The speaker has also executed solar powered projects in nooks and crannies of his constituency thereby lightening up the streets and corners for the delight of the residents of all the various wards in the constituency. This has gone a long way in checking insecurity and lightening up the sky.

Another milestone achieved by Dr. Abass Tajudeen has to do with his empowerment programme in which he launched the distribution of vehicles =, tricycles and motorcycles to members of the constituency. A total of 1,117 items were distributed as part of the empowerment programme aimed at alleviating poverty among the members of the constituency.
They include 117 vehicles, comprising of 20 Hilux, Two ambulances, Twenty Eighteen seater buses, Fifty Sharon vehicle and Twenty Five Sedan/Salon Cars (Golf, Corolla, and Peugeot 406) distributed among the constituency members.
Also, Two Hundred Tricycles and One Thousand Motorcycles were given out to various beneficiaries, which includes religious, women groups security agencies local government party offices, education and health workers, Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Nigeria Union of Journalists among others.

The people of Zaria federal constituency are grateful and proud to be associated with these uncommon achievements of their son who double as speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. This achievement will no doubt go a long way in facilitating the reelection of the speaker come 2027.

However we still want to appeal to the Right Honorable Speaker to set machinery in motion in getting a special intervention to complete the long awaited Zaria water supply project, aimed at ameliorating the suffering of the residents of the constituency in meeting their water supply needs. Similarly there is the need to fast track the process of establishing the proposed New Tertiary Institution to be located in the ancient city.

Also, the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika will require the attention of the speaker, especially through the intervention project of the National Assembly, to modernized and upgrade it facilities in view of its importance, not only to the country but also the West African Sub-region.
Finally, members of the Zaria federal constituency of Kaduna State, remained grateful to other honorable members of the House of Representatives, and all those who facilitated the emergence of Dr. Abass Tajudeen as the fifteen speaker of the federal House of Representatives, hoping that they will continue to accord him the necessary support and cooperation in piloting the affairs of the house.

Under speaker Dr. Abass Tajudeen two year stewardships, the house has witnessed peace and tranquility, harmonious working relationship and promulgation of quality bills aimed at good governance, transparency and accountability, through a vibrant legislation and good working relation between the executive and the legislative arms. Indeed TJ is a blessing to his constituency (TJ Alheri ne).

Mujtaba Ramalan Bello, former Chairman of Correspondent Chapel of the NUJ in Adamawa and Kano States and former Vice Chairman of Kano State Council of the NUJ write this piece from Gusau, Zamfara State.

By Abba Anwar

It is constitutionally acknowledged through Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that, Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jibrin represents Kano North Senatorial District, in the 10th Assembly /Senate. The Deputy Senate President (DSP).

While it is so amazing to know that his legislative efforts, apart from meaningful contributions during plenary sessions, as expected of each Legislator, are visible as manifested in the kind of Bills he sponsors for immediate benefit of all parts of the country, he still maintains respect for all Distinguished Senators and commands same.

This brief piece is not only looking at the Bills he sponsored within a period of two years, but the piece is only celebrating his second year as a Distinguished Senator of the 10th Assembly /Senate. So cited Bills are picked from pool of many years back.

Understanding the nature of Bills he sponsors, speaks volumes towards a particular direction that, he fits national elective position, not Senatorial District. This, is just my personal opinion. Which is guaranteed by our Constitution. You may have yours. You may decide not to have any. Is a personal choice.

As clearly observed by many, his main concern, from day one, was and still is, Nigeria, Nigeria, Nigeria, as one indivisible political entity. He does that out of patriotism and nationalism. Just examine the kind of Bills he sponsored within the span of two years. And other Bills he sponsored before he became the Deputy Senate President.

Landmark Bills that aimed at national cohesion, transparency, accountability in governance and all-embracing engagement of all segments of the nation, for national development, are his major concerns.

While I present some of the landmark Bills, but not in chronological order, let me begin with the Bill for his primary constituency, Kano North Senatorial District. Meaning Federal Polytechnic, Kabo (Establishment) Bill (2023). He did that with the intent of aiding technical education in the Zone. He understands clearly that, skills are the other wing of national development bird. The Institution is there on ground in Kabo, for my readers’ perusal.

For the development of his geo-political zone, North West, he sponsored an all-important Bill and followed same to its logical conclusion, as it was assented by the President. This is North West Development Commission (NWDC) Act (2024). It was established to critically address developmental needs in the Northwest.

As abandonment of projects becomes government’s habits, at all levels, as his heart “bleeds” for that out of true patriotism, he sponsored Development Planning and Projects Continuity Bill (2023). A Bill that aimed at checkmating abandoned projects scattered around the country. With this Bill the era of abandoned projects would now become history.

With the advancement of modern technology, as criminal – minds turn their effort into cyber spaces, the Deputy Senate President believes that government should do something visible to curtail the menace, he therefore sponsored Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Bill (2023). Apart from strengthening our digital security framework and mechanism, Nigeria’s image is automatically strengthened at the global arena.

We praise Almighty Allah that, this national material is from Kano state. With President Tinubu as his Boss.

Without any hesitation or ethnic jingoism, the Distinguished Senator sponsored Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron Bill (2017). His belief in strong economy through enhancing maritime education, influenced his choice to sponsor such a Bill. He always sees the nation before him, not a fraction of it. As a detribalised political leader of substance.

DSP’s mind goes up to the South South for strengthening technical teacher training, in far away Bayelsa state, as he sponsored Federal College of Education (Technical), Aghoro Bill (2019). His role in the Senate reminds all that, we have at our disposal, a leader who believes in the development of the country at all cost. Without marginalization of any type. A quentissential political icon.

Like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s deep sense of diversifying national economy, with, among other things, concentration on solid minerals, DSP sponsored College of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk Bill (2019), to critically aid Tinubu’s line of thinking in this strategic area. Which will ultimately support our mining industry, for global competition.

Barau’s political exposure and analytical mind encouraged him to think that, putting in place Colleges of Education, was not the only thing that could make them excel, hence the need for a strong framework. He immediately sponsored Federal Colleges of Education Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill (2019). With the sole intention of putting in place, reforms for good governance, transparent and efficient administration in Colleges of Education across the nation.

His unwavering effort in making sure that our students get access to higher education, with transparent process, he sponsored JAMB Act (Amendment) Bill (2019). Where admissions and its entire process becomes more transparent and efficient. Barau for all, as students and potential students have their good place in his mind.

His major concern and feeling for all Nigerians prompted him to sponsor Federal University of Aquatic Studies, Ogbaru Bill (2019), in far away Anambra state. Ogbaru is a Local Government Area with its headquarters in Atani. When you visit the place you would come to term with me, how brilliant is the Senator in understanding Nigerian states. The Bill was rightly sponsored to promote Aquatic Sciences. An institution needed long time before now.

To also make closer, university education and rural or semi-urban settlements, the DSP sponsored Federal University, Uga Bill (2019). A remote place located in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Uga people celebrated Senator Barau when they heard about his effort in sponsoring the Bill. They appreciated that access to university education would be improved in their local communities, courtesy Senator Barau Jibrin representing Kano North Senatorial District.

As at 2024, the Deputy Senate President was the highest Bill sponsor with over 21 Bills to his credit. This tells us how prepared he was even before he was elected to be a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. People with vision, foresight, action plan, who are ready to serve not to be served and who are well prepared for the job.

With his political maturity, acceptability across North, his detribalised-mind for serving all sections of the country – Bills he sponsored attest to this- his good working relationship with his colleagues and his absolute confidence in President Tinubu’s administration, his absolute loyalty in Tinubu as a man, Tinubu as an institution and Tinubu as Nigeria’s President, give me fresh perspective to visualize him as being much closer to President Tinubu in 2027, for national assignment. Whatever that means.

Barau’s excellence in the art of administration, with deepest sense of humor and appreciative political participation for better spaces and time, were some of the leading indices, if you wish, that were measured for his election as Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament.

So even at sub-regional level, the Deputy Senate President’s contribution to the survival of democracy, peaceful Africa and promotion of good governance is acknowledged.

Anwar wrote from Kano and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
24th May, 2025

By Abba Anwar

In preparation for the celebration of the second year anniversary for the 10th Assembly/Senate in the current dispensation, Opinion Poll experts under the aegis of Media-Legislative Engagement for Democracy (M-Len4D) issued an official statement today, Wednesday, unveiling the result of the poll, they conducted in the last two years, across 19 Northern states, as Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has emerged as the most visible Legislator in the media, from North.

A report signed by the National Coordinator of the platform, James Audu Dogo, reveals that, “At whatever length, the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, appears to be the most visible and responsive Senator in both the Nigerian media and African media respectively.”

His globally acknowledged position as the Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, they argued,”… and his effort in sub-regional integration, makes him visible in the media nationally and on the African continent.”

Back home, poll experts disclose that, the Distinguished Senator, presented dozens of Bills, to his credit, to the floor of the red chamber. Many were passed. As others are at different legislative stages.

Out of the total Northern Senators included in the process, DSP scores above 95 percent. When it comes to public presentation towards his primary constituency. As he becomes frequent visitor to his primary constituency. Where he briefs electorate as and when due. Not a seat-warmer legislator.

Which, they revealed that, ” Nigerians clearly understand the quality of all the Bills he started, laboured, nurtured and, with the help of other Distinguished Senators, gave birth to many of them as Laws currently.”

The result shows that, Distinguished Jibrin, faces reality whenever he presides over plenary sessions. Most often than not, according to the opinion poll, the Senator’s brilliance, know-how, good human relations, gentleman approach to issues as well as sophistication of legislative work, after being encapsulated by dedication, patriotism and political will, all centred around producing a courageous and reserved Senator of global repute and standard. Da ka gan shi ka ga nutsattse.

Many, according to the result of the poll, believe that the Distinguished Senator, enjoys the good support of his colleagues as the Deputy Senate President. That, they argued, “Makes more room for harmony to take centre-stage during plenary sessions, discussions, arguments and lobbying aspect of legislative power play.”

With such opinion polls, it has become glaringly clear that, Senator Jibrin has become one of the leading voices of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country.

Though, I stand to be corrected, up to this time, almost two years of the existence of the 10th Assembly, no Senator or Member of House of Representatives, welcomes politicians from other divide. The way he does. Not minding where such defectors come from. But largely from New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), as Kano state government being controlled by NNPP. So also from other opposition parties. Not only from Kano, but from across other states. It is there everywhere in the media.

As reflected recently by the Deputy Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr Emmanuel Oladesu, of 2nd May, 2025, in page 27, under the caption “Barau and APC membership drive in Kano.”

What is most striking in that piece is where Oladesu quoted Distinguished Senator Jibrin, to have said, during one of the occasions marking the exit of some hundreds of members of the opposition parties to APC, “APC is a party of inclusion, where every member enjoys equal rights to contest elections and contribute to nation-building.

When this government came into power under the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there were a lot of problems on the ground. But after two years, we have started to see that these economic policies are yielding some fruits.”

The Deputy Editor’s account gives out a straight-jacket analysis of how impactful and powerful are DSP’s commitment for the expansion, survival and strengthening process of the ruling party, the APC. I am yet to see other legislators doing something closer to Senator Jibrin’s.

This and other accounts from different observers, help to genuinely authenticate the result of this opinion poll rating DSP as the most visible Senator in the entire North. Exaggeration? Rule it out! Still stand to be corrected, anyway.

It is indeed worthy of note, to understand how critical DSP’s contributions to human development in his primary constituency (Kano North), Kano state and across the entire North West region. All geared towards his patriotic intent for national development. And promotion of peace and tranquility.

Not to talk of politics or political engagement, just examine his greater concern for education of our people, youth and women particularly. His Scholarship Scheme speaks volume around that area. The choice of fields of study, in both indigenous and foreign institutions of higher learning, tells much about his foresight as a global citizen.

Courses that are globally recognized with modern touches, like Software Engineering, Robotic Engineering, Forensic Engineering, among many other global fields of study. That are raining profusely across nations, continents and world at large.

This is foresight, hard earned capacity, illustrative engagements, encouraging philanthropy, enduring public responsibility, political maturity and sagacity, interwoven interests (his and society’s), high level patriotism and clear understanding of worldview.

I concur with an inexcusable determination that, DSP’s interventions in many areas, like creation of young Millionaires through his well designed agricultural project, – also for food security purpose – scholarship schemes, his indelible mark in easing transport system in Kano North, with the introduction of Kano North Transport Service with over 100 vehicles and how his generous touch being trickled down to many ‘long abandoned grassroot politicians,’ when he remembered hundreds of past and present party leaders, at all levels in the state, among others, provide all corridors for media attention, media scrutiny and increased public interest.

The creation of North West Development Commission, alone, looking at the role he played, is more than enough, a reason to always be in the media perpetually.

So all the needed indices are there, factors are there, reasons behind his emergence as the most visible Northern Senator in the media are there, and platforms to corroborate poll’s result are also there, live and direct.

Anwar, was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
14th May, 2025