By Timothy Agbor, Osogbo
The immediate past Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, has expressed regrets over his inability to realise some of his dreams while his eight-year tenure as the number legislator in the state lasted.
Salaam, who was the speaker during the 5th and 6th Assemblies in the state, disclosed this while speaking on the programme, Frontliners, organised by the Association of Veteran Journalists in Osun state, as part of the valedictory events for him.
According to Salaam, he would have loved to see that the Osogbo-Ejigbo road and Iwo-Ejigbo road are constructed during his two terms in office, but this was not possible.
The ex-speaker also regretted that throughout his stay in the state Assembly as the Speaker, his hometown could not get a commercial bank.
He explained that he made frantic efforts to achieve this, but it could not be realised, despite the fact that the Assembly under his leadership approved multiple loan facilities for the ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola administration.
Salaam said, “I have a lot of unfulfilled promises. Osogbo/Ejigbo road and Iwo/Ejigbo road. It’s very shocking and regretful for me.
“Since 2010, we have not had a commercial bank in Ejigbo, but you know that these bankers are not politicians. I have a lot that I would have done for my people, but I am grateful to God.”
The ex-Speaker, however, said he was able to build some classrooms in his constituency, among other assistance he rendered to his constituents.
He also said that the Assembly under his watch, was able to pass 66 bills that were instrumental to the transformation of Osun State.
On why there was no impeachment attempt against his person as the Speaker for eight years, Salaam said, “members surrendered themselves under my control.”
He said he had mature minds and lawmakers, who were not greedy, as members, adding that he was open and sincere with whatever largesse that came into the Assembly.
He said, “There was no attempt to impeach me because nothing called for it. Most impeachments in other states were because of money. We are like beggars here (Osun Assembly) and the little we had, I was open to my colleagues with it. With this, there couldn’t have been crisis. If a speaker is not greedy, no lawmaker would want him impeached.
“What we earn in Osun Assembly is not enough to take care of our constituents. We are the least paid lawmakers in Nigeria. I don’t know how other states do theirs, but we are not bothered.
Meanwhile, the former speaker has bemoaned the spate of insecurity in the country.
Salaam has, therefore, charged the Federal Government to focus more on securing the nation, saying that no one felt secured anymore.
He called on the government at the center to tackle insecurity by monitoring the country’s borders.
According to the Speaker, the nation’s borders are porous and that situation have been responsible for the influx of non-Nigerians, whom he said perpetuate various crimes in Nigeria.
Salaam also advised the Federal Government to provide employment for unemployed graduates, saying that the insecurity situation in the country was worrisome and disturbing.
He also asked the government to adequately equip security bodies in the country by procuring sophisticated weapons and catering for the welfare of security operatives.
He said, “The security situation in Nigeria is quite worrisome and disturbing. No one feels safe again. The Federal Government has to provide employment for our youths. We harbour criminals in our places of residence. We dine and wine with criminals.
“The level of unemployment is one of the reasons for insecurity. Our borders are too porous. People that engage in criminal activities are not from Nigeria. Security operatives must be equipped.”
Quote: We’re the least paid lawmakers in Nigeria. I don’t know how other states do theirs
