BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Immediate past spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate, Ajibola Basiru has presented his scorecard to members of his constituency, stressing that he represented them well in the red chamber.
Basiru, who represented Osun Central Senatorial District in the 9th Senate, addressed chieftains and members of the All Progressives Congress at his campaign office in Osogbo on Wednesday during the well attended valedictory event.
Delivering a text of his address entitled: “An Exit is a New Beginning,” Basiru said he delivered on the promises he made to his constituency in the four years he was in the Senate adding that he performed excellently in the areas of qualitative representation, human capital development, jobs and employment opportunities, facilitation of many road, school and other infrastructural projects among other achievements.
Addressing his constituents, he said, “The primary responsibility for which you elected me as a Senator was as a representative in the Nigerian Senate for the purpose of law-making for the good government of Nigeria and when seeking your mandate, I promised I will, on your behalf, deliver qualitative representation for our Senatorial District. I am happy to stand before you today to proudly inform you that I delivered on that promise as I was not only an active Senator of the Nigerian Senate, I also served in various capacities as the Senate Spokesperson, Chairman of Committee on Media and member of various Select Committees of the Senate.
“I served as the representative of Osun in the Constitution Review Committee of the 9th Assembly and it is on record that the Constitution Review Committee of the 9th Assembly made radical reforms in the area of constitution reforms which are catalysts for engendering good government and development of our people.
“I was also a member of the Senate Committee on Harmonisation of the Electoral Bill 2022 that finalised work on the reformist Electoral Act, 2022. I was actively involved in the legislative work leading to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act and other impactful legislations by the 9th Assembly. It is pertinent to state that as the Spokesperson of the Senate and Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs of the 9th Senate, I gave visibility to our Senatorial District in the national polity and effectively manage the public image of the Nigerian Senate.
“As an Active Member of the Senate, I was appointed as the Senate Spokesperson and also a member of different committees as follows: Chairman, Senate Committee On Media And Public Affairs Committee On Air Force, Committee On Judiciary Human Rights & Legal Matters; Committee On State And Local Governments; Committee On Downstream Petroleum Sector; Committee On Upstream Petroleum Resources; Constitution Review Committee Etc.; Representative Of The Nigerian Senate, Association Of Senates, Shoora And Equivalent Councils In Africa And The Arab World.”
On human capital development, he explained that he provided, “Cooperative Training in 2020 for 100 beneficiaries in Osun Central Senatorial District. Training and Empowerment of Young Farmers on Cassava Value Chain Processing and Off-Takers in Ifelodun, Boripe & Odo-Otin Federal Constituencies at Igbaye, Odo-Otin in 2021 for 75 Beneficiaries with #30,000 training allowance for each of the 75 beneficiaries at Igbaye, Odo-Otin in 2021 for 75 Beneficiaries.
“Training and Empowerment of Young Farmers on Cassava Value Chain Processing and Off-Takers in Osogbo, Olorunda, Irepodun & Orolu Federal Constituencies at Orita Aje, Jaleoyemi Area, Ifon, Orolu in 2021 for 50 Beneficiaries with #30,000 training allowance for each of the 50 beneficiaries at Orita Aje, Jaleoyemi Area, Ifon, Orolu in 2021 for 50 Beneficiaries.
“Capacity Building and Skill Acquisition on Farm Products and Marketing for Farmers in Osun Central Senatorial District (Project Specification-Cash Crops-Cocoa, Coffee Etc.; Fruits-Orange, Banana, Watermelon, Cucumber, Tomatoes Etc.) at the Constituency Office, Olorunda, Osogbo on 29th November-1st December, 2021 with #30,000 training allowance for each of the 50 Beneficiaries. A Skill Acquisition Training for Entrepreneurs in Osun Central Senatorial District on Production and Improved Management Practices of Maize, Cashew Seeds and Seedings on 22/11/2021 at Ila LG with #30,000 training allowance for each of the 50 Beneficiaries.”
The former lawmaker noted that, “In the past four years, we have also supported our constituents financially with grants and various monetary advancements thus: 519 Beneficiaries for the Covid-19 Emergency Cash Support during lockdown in 2020; supported 75 beneficiaries each with #50,000 in the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) for Micro-Enterprises in Nigeria, 2021.”
Some of his constituents who spoke at event lauded his efforts and expressed satisfaction on the account of his stewardship.
