TodayInSenatePlenary
8thSenateValedictory
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF THURSDAY, 6TH JUNE, 2019
Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:58am.
Senator Andy Uba moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Thursay, 30th May 2019. Senator Sam Anyanwu seconded.
Senate Leader moved that the Senate do begin the #8thSenateValedictory Session to mark the end of the 4th session of the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“At the beginning, we had the Unity forum and the Like mind Senators, but today we are leaving the Senate in one accord.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“I want to thank our colleagues who have made this day a reality. Particularly my colleagues in the PDP for standing by democracy and the rule of law.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“It is usually a difficult task speaking after the Deputy Senate President. 48-months just rolled by- we came, we saw and conquered.”- Senator Biodun Olujimi.
“We did our best in the 8th Senate, I remember when we came in to vote for the Senate President of our choice and discovered some of our colleagues where holding meetings elsewhere. I believe God had a hand in your election as the Senate President.”- Senator Biodun Olujimi
“I believe my time has been spent. I did not contest for any position during the nomination. I am grateful and I thank God as I leave with so much gratitude.”- Senator Olusola Adeyeye.
“It’s a rare privilege to be here. We have seen some of our colleagues stand up to speak in order to please their godfather.”- Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.
“You are truly a great team player, @bukolasaraki. That is one thing we will be willing to share with your successor.”- Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.
“I consider myself very lucky because in 2015, i was the only Senator from the South-South in the APC and became the Deputy Chief Whip.”- Senator Francis Alimikhena.
“As long as there is tomorrow, a day like this #8thSenateValedictory will come. It is a perfect reminder that we do not joke with the responsibilities reposed in us as leaders.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.
“I will greatly miss Senator Jeremiah Useni and Senator Tijjani Kaura in the 9th Assembly.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.
“I salute your leadership courage, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to work for the common purpose of making laws for the federal republic of Nigeria. I will not forget the troubled times we have been through. As far as the 8th Senate is concerned, you have led us well.”- Senator Philip Aduda.
“I thank Senate President, @bukolasaraki for making me the Chairman of an important committee to oversee and serve in the 8th Senate.”- Senator Andy Uba.
“It has been a great privilege to serve my country. Nigeria cannot be a true democratic nation unless we have strong democratic parties.”- Senator Magnus Abe.
“We may not have been perfect, but we are here because of our desire to serve our dear country. We will country to carry the aspirations of our people.”- Senator Magnus Abe.
“This 8th Senate has passed through a lot of turbulence. It has impacted our experience as a nation. There are many who came in as APC and left as PDP and vice-Versa.”- Senator Shehu Sani.
“Your leadership has been the most impactful, @bukolasaraki. History will be kind to you. In effectiveness, the 8th Senate has a good place in history and the 9th Senate will have a lot to learn from it.”- Senator Bassey Akpan.
“This Senate led by @bukolasaraki has passed a high number of Bills and Motion. We’re forever grateful for this rare opportunity.”- Senator Bassey Akpan.
“I thank the entire Senate, and members of the parliamentary support group. I pray that whatever lessons we learnt throughout our tenure will continue to guide us.”- Senator Adamu Abdullahi.
“I thank the 8th Senate for the opportunity given to me to treat quite a number of petitions as the Chairman Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.”- Senator Sam Anyanwu.
“I want the Executive to allow the 109 Senators choose their leadership of the 9th Assembly without interferences to prevent any form of acrimony.”- Senator Ben Murray-Bruce.
“Nothing good comes easy, but sometimes we have to give way. Thank you, @bukolasaraki, my leader, my mentor.”- Senator Binta Masi Garba.
“I say a very big thank you to the leadership of the 8th Senate. I have learnt a lot and I appreciate your wisdom in resolving key issues and the trust you have in us to discharge our duties.”- Senator Kabir Marafa.
“To Oshiomhole and the APC, it is about how many States or Senators APC has, to me it is about my people. The judiciary has made us proud and the people of Zamfara State are very grateful.”- Senator Kabir Marafa.
“The court ruling shows there is a limit to impunity. I have no regret in what I did in Zamfara.”- Senator Kabir Marafa.
“The 8th Senate is a Senate of great success despite of all that has happened. It has been a Senate of controversies in terms of leadership.”- Senator Barnabas Gemade.
“I thank the Almighty who is the supreme controller of the universe. When canckerworms and caterpillars attacked you, I addressed you as the irremovable Senate President, @bukolasaraki.”- Senator Dino Melaye.
“To my surprise, many of those who orchestrated your downfall and removal have now called you their mentor, only God give and take power.”- Senator Dino Melaye.
“The happiest day in my life was the day Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki emerged as the Senate President.”- Senator Dino Melaye.
“The saddest day of my life was when Senator Ovie Omo-Agege led thugs to steal the Senate mace, a symbol of unity.”- Senator Dino Melaye.
“The Executive will always show interest in who become the leader of the National Assembly.”- Senator George Akume.
“I thank Ebonyi Central for their trust in me, not just I was voted into the 8th assembly but also into the 9th assembly. In this Chamber you will find the good, bad and ugly.”- Senator Obinna Ogba.
“I urge my colleagues, especially those coming back to see this country as one nation. I want to particularly thank the Senate President, @bukolasaraki and DSP, Ike Ekweremadu. May God continue to bless them for their leadership.”-Senator Obinna Ogba.
“I spent the last one month going round my Senatorial district appreciating them and thanking God for his faithfulness – Senator David Mark.
“I have been here for 20yrs and I can say without fear that you, @bukolasaraki have developed the Senate to an enviable height.”- Senator David Mark.
“I look forward to a day in this Country where there will be no election petition to be treated by the Judiciary because everyone will be satisfied with our electoral process.”- Senator David Mark.
“I respect you for your resilience and always standing for what you believe in @bukolasaraki. I have never taken anybody consciously on personal basis, I do that based on what I think is right.”- Senator Ali Ndume.
“I know the 8th Senate has done so much work and I hope the 9th Senate will learn from the 8th Senate.”- Senator Ali Ndume.
“I apologize to my colleagues in the PDP for the manner I left. I know they miss me. My stay in the 8th Senate is a mixture of sadness and happiness.”- Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“We need to change the image and the public perception that the National Assembly is responsible for Budget delay, meanwhile it is the Exectuive and no one has sincerely explained this to the public.”- Senator Adamu
Aliero.
8thSenateValedictory
“109 of our colleagues were sworn-in with us, but three of them have departed. I pray that God will grant their family comfort.”- Senator Solomon Adeola.
“I urge the 9th Assembly to forge a good and harmonious relationship between the legislature and the executive without eroding our independence.”-Senator Solomon Adeola.
“I feel very worried about the state of insecurity and banditry in this country. The government needs to take this issues very serious. A lot of things are being done based on ethnicity, this needs to change.”- Senator Clifford Ordia.
“The lessons have been learnt, I think we could have achieved a lot more. Scrutiny is very important in any parliament, this will enable us defend every clause in the Bill.”- Senator Jide Omoworare.
“80% of my votes came from the IDP, so I am an IDP Senator. I remember the Senate President, @bukolasaraki taking a trip to Maiduguri to assess the Security situation.”- Senator Abubakar Kyari.
“This development gave rise to the North-East Development Commission Bill (NEDCBill). And also, the commitment and contributions from our colleagues both in cash and kind.”- Senator Abubakar Kyari.
”Whatever has a beginning must have an end and so today, the 8th Senate comes to an end. You directed us very well and did your best, @bukolasaraki.”- Senator Ibrahim Gobir.
“When I came here, you, @bukolasaraki gave me opportunity to serve well, even though I resumed this 8th Assembly late.”- Senator Victor Umeh.
“I have been very active for the 17months I have been in the Senate and I sponsored two Bills during this period. This Senate has gotten so much work done”- Senator Victor Umeh.
“Today is a special day for all of us. 4years of working together and fraternizing. It is important to thank the people who in the first place voted us to be here.”- Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.
“After you, @bukolasaraki emerged as Senate President, we consciously decided in national interest,to work together for stability and peace, as we are all like-minded.”- Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.
“During my time as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, I interacted with our armed forces. They not only protect our territorial integrity of this land but also our internal security with little resources.”- Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.
“Yesterday, I was 20years in the National Assembly. I believe that we can achieve a Senate we can be proud of when we work with patriotism. There is need to structure our oversight function and report the outcome of our oversight for better performance.”- Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.
“Senator @SenDavidABMark has shown capacity in leadership and patriotism to ensure National Assembly works for Nigeria. He built confidence in us and gave us a rare opportunity.”- Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.
“Distinguished colleagues, as we come to the final plenary and the last few days of the eighth Senate, it is a victory in itself that we are seeing the journey to its momentous end.” – SP, @bukolasaraki
“That I am here today, that you are here today, is a victory for democracy. It is a testament to what people can do when they come together for the greater good.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“This is also one of those occasions when the Supreme Creator reminds us, once again, that power does not reside in any one person.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Before I proceed, let us pause to honour the memory of colleagues with whom we started this journey but who sadly are not here with us today.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“We lost the late Senators Ali Wakili (Bauchi South) in the line of duty in this Senate” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/974993289131814912
“We lost Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke (Osun West) in the line of duty in this Senate.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/856148597196419074
“We lost Bukar Mustapha (Katsina North) in the line of duty in this Senate.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/983721086574628865
“I ask that we observe a minute’s silence for the continuing repose of their souls [Minute’s Silence]. May the Almighty grant them eternal rest.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Distinguished colleagues, let me thank each and every one of you for your contributions towards making this the historic Senate that it is.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“When I think of the many trials and tribulations we have faced as an institution, and my own personal travails particularly at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, I am humbled…” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/875004424342695937
“This way down the line, however, I realise that the day of that invasion was the saddest – but in many ways it was also a good day for asserting the independence of the legislature and the triumph of democracy.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“It also turned out to be a showcase of the special relationship between this chamber and the House, as Honourable Members stood in unison with their Senate colleagues in defiance of the invaders.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/1027158397760798720
“I thank the House of Representatives for the remarkable unity of the two chambers of the 8th National Assembly, for it was only in unity that we could withstand the storm.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“The pieces of legislation we passed in the crucial areas and arenas affecting the daily lives of citizens – on the economy, in education, security, anti-corruption, health and so on – will remain a benchmark.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Working together, we clocked many firsts in the 8th Senate, and we should rightly be proud of these, especially as they are imperishable legacies we are leaving for the people.” -Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Our many firsts include the National Assembly Joint Public Hearing on the Budget, which we started with the 2016 Appropriation Bill.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/1005404918998536192
“The engagement of the private sector and other stakeholders in crafting the economic legislative agenda was a watershed.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“For the first time, there were meetings and interactions with members of the public which were not previously the norm. One such interaction was the Public Senate, which gave youths the opportunity to spend a day with me as President of the Senate.” – SP, @bukolasaraki
“I have pleasant memories of my reading to an audience of small children inside my office, where – in the true spirit of Children’s Day – the kids themselves were the dignitaries.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/736149386078658560
“It was during this Senate that we patented the concept of the Roundtable. This was groundbreaking. We left the centre of power in Abuja to tackle pressing social issues at the very heart of the communities most affected.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Notable among these were the Senate Roundtable on the Drug Use Crisis held in Kano in December 2017, and the one on Migration and Human Trafficking held in Benin City in February 2018.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/991234901423919104
“At both events, we not only dialogued for solutions with the relevant government agencies, international partners and community leaders – we heard from the victims themselves. In Kano, we heard the harrowing story of Zeinab, a recovering drug addict” – SP, @bukolasaraki
“In Benin, we listened to the account of a young woman who was rebuilding her life after being trafficked to Russia for the sex trade; and we heard from Victory who had been being sold into slavery in Libya.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/968136009992065024
“We let these people know that their voices count. Indeed the voice of every Nigerian counts, and the 8th Senate lent its ear to them. We were alive to our responsibility to those whom we serve, and we engaged with them on their own terms.”-SP, @bukolasaraki
“It should be a matter of pride to all 109 senators and to our offspring that, in this chamber, we put humanity first. I will always be proud of the humaneness of the 8th Senate.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
Ours has been legislature with a human face, the personal touch, moved by the milk of human kindness. – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Whenever the situation demanded, we left the imposing edifice of the National Assembly to reach out to the person on the street. We showed that parliament belongs to the people, and that there should be no barrier between lawmakers and those they represent.” – SP, @bukolasaraki
“One of our major acts upon inauguration was the Senate visit in August 2015 to Maiduguri, Borno State – the first ever National Assembly delegation to see first-hand the living conditions of thousands displaced by the insurgency.” – SP, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/628563381868437504
“A senator from the South moved the motion that led us to Maiduguri, one of the many times we showed the world that senators act as Nigerians first, and not as southerners or northerners.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“The three senators representing Borno State were among the delegation on that memorable visit, as we called on the Shehu of Borno to assure him that rebuilding the North East was high on our agenda.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“We visited IDP camps, spoke with the people, carried their babies, comforted them, letting them know that their well-being was a priority for the Senate.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Today, the North East Development Commission is a reality, and the people are being resettled into their normal lives. Borno was by no means our only spotlight on the conditions of our people in IDP camps.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“We visited the Kuchingoro IDP Camp in Abuja during the holy month of Ramadan in 2017 and donated essential supplies to the inhabitants, while assuring them of our commitment to getting them back on their feet.” – SP, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/869623233171120128
“A year later, we were at the Abagena IDP Camp in Benue State. Instead of bringing the children to Abuja for Children’s Day, we went to the children in Benue.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/1000760312298172417
“We gave assurances that we would build on work already done on the ground by the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Review of Security Infrastructure to bring an end to killings and restore peace in the state.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“There was a very moving encounter with Ali Ahmadu, the six-year-old Boko Haram victim from Chibok. Our joy knew no bounds when he returned, walking and smiling, after life-transforming surgery in Dubai.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/937954153086750720
“Little Ali from Chibok was one of many individuals whose lives were directly touched by the 8th Senate. We stood with families and communities across this country in times of trouble.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“I remember the case of Linda Igwetu, the NYSC corps member killed by a SARS operative here in Abuja. On behalf of the Senate, I placed a call to her sister to offer our condolences and to speak to the need for justice in the matter.” – SP, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/1014989679492587520
“When Miss Hilda Eva Amadi tragically died at an NYSC Orientation Camp in Ilorin, Kwara State, we as the Senate were there to condole with those grieving her loss.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/990574506304528384
“We made donations towards the renovation of facilities at the camp and for topping up the medicine supply, to ensure the health and well-being of corps members there.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Every single Nigerian life matters, and we demonstrated that in the symbolism and actuality of our actions at all times.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“When Nigerians cried out for help, we did not turn deaf ears. Many will remember the case of Miss Monica Osagie who accused her lecturer of demanding sex for marks.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“As a responsive Senate, we backed up the Sexual Harassment law we had enacted by passing a resolution on the issue, and conducted an investigation into the allegation.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/1001819810496380930
“Responding to the needs of Nigerians was our calling, and by so doing, I believe we made a real difference in people’s lives.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Where there was contention or strife, we were agents of peace and helped find a way forward. Through meetings with the Minister of Health, the Minister of Labour and Employment together with leaders of the Joint Health Sector Unions, we were able to…
…bring an end to the biting six-week long JOHESU strike which had crippled the health sector in the country. We said we would help end the deadlock, and we kept the promise.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/999993166756569088
“A Senate resolution was the critical factor in ending the two-year impasse at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, which had kept the 34,000-strong student body in limbo, due to the closure of the institution.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/888355285064200192
“The students were able to resume their education in September 2017. Another promise kept.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“We promised transparency in the National Assembly Budget and kept our word, subjecting NASS Budget to public scrutiny for the first time since Nigeria’s return to democracy.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/862691535418257409
“We engaged with a delegation of nurses and midwives led by my wife in her capacity as a Global Goodwill Ambassador to the International Confederation of Midwives and listened to their concerns about high infant and maternal mortality rates in Nigeria.”- SP, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/862331994352611328
“We promised to review relevant laws and pass new ones to make for better conditions of service for nurses and midwives, as one way of bringing about an improvement in mortality rates, in particular, and the health sector as a whole.”- SP, @bukolasaraki
“We kept that promise, too, and one notable outcome was the setting aside of one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.”-SP, @bukolasaraki
“This gave a massive boost to healthfunding in the country, allowing access to basic healthcare for thousands more Nigerians.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/998538148983590912
“Just the other week the Minister of Health called the 1% CRF a “game changer”, no doubt because, by our activities in this chamber, we are touching the lives of Nigerians and even those unborn.”-Senate President, @bukolasaraki
”Speaking of commendations, our interventions on health also won plaudits from international philanthropists Bill Gates and Bono, as well as the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO).”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Similarly, our amendment of the Universal Basic Education Act, guaranteeing free education for children aged nine to twelve, won praise from education rights activist and Nobel Laureate, Malala Yousafzai.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Still on promises kept, we were at the Made In Aba Trade Fair held in Abuja in 2016 and that was to be the springboard for legislation- The Public Procurement Act (Amendment) Bill – in fulfilment of our vow to manufacturers at the fair.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/697049473537724417
“We maintained the focus with our Made-In-Nigeria initiative, which saw the Nigerian Army ordering 50,000 pairs of boots from Aba manufacturers that same year.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“We cracked the code of several Bills that had eluded Senates before us.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“We broke the decade-old Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into a quartet of workable bills including the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), whose passage stands as a major achievement of the 8th Senate.”- SP, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/867728531467448321
“The Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) was the most comprehensive reform law governing Nigeria’s business environment in nearly 30 years.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/996387850965999617
“The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Bill was one of the major anti-corruption laws we passed; and it saved the country from being expelled from the global body of the Egmont Group.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/971407847559979008
“And as recently as May 22, we passed the Nigerian Football Federation Bill which had been caught in the legislative bottleneck for 15 years.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/1132685368472608768
“In these four years, we were fully engaged on the state of insecurity in the country, and spearheaded many initiatives to bring sustainable peace, and secure and protect the lives and properties of citizens.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“The 8th Senate organised a National Security Summit which made recommendations for bringing an end to the problems. Moreover, the Senate engaged with security chiefs for proper understanding of the issues; and urged them to make presentations to us on their requirements, so we could facilitate the needed special appropriations.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/961532891879694336
“We constantly engaged with the international community on the need for them to not only support the war against insurgency but to also lift the ban on sale of arms to Nigeria.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“The Senate had to cut short one vacation in order to receive a U.S. Congressional delegation and persuade them on the need to canvass for the lifting of the arms sales ban, for more effective counter-insurgency strategies.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/902165781785534465
“We assured them that human rights complaints had been addressed, & that we would ensure that any related issues would be thoroughly probed & appropriate actions taken.”-SP, @bukolasaraki
“The U.S. delegation was able to leave with Senate’s guarantee, & the arms embargo was reversed.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“At every turn, the Senate utilised every opportunity of courtesy visit, foreign visit, participation at international conferences and meetings to rally world powers behind the fight against Boko Haram and the need to bolster the arms, equipment and training capability of Nigeria’s security forces.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“The Senate that passed the landmark Not-Too-Young-To-Run law to bring more young Nigerians into the governance framework, was also a great supporter and enabler of youthful aspiration and innovation.”-SP, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/SPNigeria/status/890191372409491456
“We met with members of the Not Too Young To Run Movement and promised to do our bit to help realise their dreams of assuming the mantle as leaders.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
https://twitter.com/bukolasaraki/status/1001731166716747776
“The resultant law opened the pathways for the inclusion of fresh young faces in the 2019 elections, in a victory for participatory politics and democracy.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“The 8th Senate has been there for Nigerians of every social class and in every field of endeavour. It gives me a sense of fulfilment to know that we did something worthwhile in this venerated space.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“My advice to whoever succeeds me is therefore along the same vein: be there for the people. Act in the interest of the average Nigerian, keep the legislature always at the behest of the citizens, let it be a people’s parliament.”-SP, @bukolasaraki
“Whoever succeeds me, that person will still be a product of the 8th Senate. We did it together. Let there be continuity.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“And as we say all the things we have done, we must also be reflective and candid enough to acknowledge the things we didn’t do. It is my hope that the 9th Senate will improve on our performance and deliver on those areas that we were not quite able to touch.” – SP, @bukolasaraki
“At this juncture, I must express my gratitude to the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu. History will be kind to you and providence will shine upon you.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki #8thSenateValedictory
“I am sure you never thought you would be Deputy Senate President in an APC majority parliament, but it happened. Nobody made you Deputy President of the Senate, the Almighty willed it.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki #8thSenateValedictory
“I thank Majority Leader Ahmed Lawan; you have made your mark here and the record reflects it. I also thank former Majority Leader Ali Ndume; you also made your mark.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki #8thSenateValedictory
“Between the former Majority Leader and the current one, it is clear that one of you will be President of the Senate. Whoever emerges, I wish you the very best of luck.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki #8thSenateValedictory
“This I know: whatever the capacity, we should always do our best to serve the interest of the people. We should also have it in the back of our minds that power is transient.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki #8thSenateValedictory
“I must not forget to pay tribute to my predecessor, the Distinguished Senator David Mark, for his quiet dignity and fine example to us all in this chamber. I will be forever grateful for your support and wisdom.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki #8thSenateValedictory
“I am thankful for the strong and purposeful Senate leadership that has steered us through and guided this chamber for high performance and stability. Many thanks to Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan; Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi; Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye Minority Whip, Phillip Aduda; Deputy Majority Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah; Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha; Deputy Chief Whip, Alimikhena Asekhame; and Deputy Minority Whip, Emmanuel Paulker. Indeed, the entire Senate is grateful for your service.” – SP, @bukolasaraki
“There is no way I can end this speech without recalling a certain injunction which goes thus: If we speak the truth, we will die; and if we lie, we will die, so we might as well tell the truth.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“I am, of course, paraphrasing the inimitable Dino Melaye whose flamboyance, catchy turns of phrase and songs meant that the 8th Senate was never in danger of becoming staid. They kept us from taking ourselves too seriously, and that too, had its place.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“I thank the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori who helmed the parliament’s administration admirably.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Samuel Anyanwu, did a fine job of reviewing and ensuring due diligence with all the petitions.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“We cannot thank the Committee enough for the hard work they did, which will be a favourable reflection on the 8th Senate.”- Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“None of the day to day activities of the Senate would have been possible without the unsung people who ensure that all parts of the great machinery of this institution are kept moving and ticking.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“The Clerk to the Senate, the ever dependable Nelson Ajewoh, comes up for mention. Commendations too, to the Clerks at Table, the Sergeant at Arms, the Rapporteurs and the Technical Team.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“The mace bearer carried out his duty with diligence – though I recall that at one point some other persons wanted his job, but sanity prevailed.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“I thank all staff – the ushers, the Senate Press Corps who ensured that everything we did here was communicated to Nigerians on all platforms.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“I am grateful to the cameramen who, when I was tired and almost nodding off, were kind enough to focus their lens elsewhere; I encourage them to extend the same service to my successor.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Last but not least, my heartfelt thanks to the tenacious and committed Staff of my Office who worked tirelessly to ensure that many of the visions now being celebrated were turned into reality.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“In closing, distinguished colleagues, let me say that I am quite proud of the fact that there was not a whiff of scandal in this Senate. You carried yourselves with the bearing and sense of probity worthy of the office.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“You played your part in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. May the work we have done here bear bountiful fruits in the length and breadth of this great country of ours, and may it be so for years to come.” -Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“And so to the question: how do we define the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? We can define ourselves by the record number of bills passed, motions cleared, resolutions adopted, petitions treated.” -Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“We can also define ourselves by the belief that we fought for democracy, held government to account and made personal sacrifices. For some of us, sacrifices are still being made, owing to the fallouts of some of the decisions taken.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“I have no regrets because, as first among equals, we bear collective responsibility for those decisions. As a leader, however, I take responsibility. The buck stops with me.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“In doing all that we did in this chamber, we always used to believe that poverty knew no party, religion, tribe or region. We came together in response to the needs of Nigerians as a whole, and we got the job done.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“It will be said of us that we were truly representative of all our constituents. As we conclude the last plenary and the few more days of the 8th Senate, therefore, we should nurture the relationships we have built.” – Senate President, @bukolasaraki
“Once again, I thank you all for your support to me in this position… I thank Nigerians for the great privilege of service as President of the 8th Senate. It has been my life’s goal to serve Nigeria, and I shall serve her always, in whatever capacity.” – SP, @bukolasaraki
ADJOURNMENT
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki after delivering his #8thSenateValedictory speech adjourned plenary sine die.
Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.