ILORIN – The immediate past Chairman, House Committee on Justice in the House of Representatives, Dr Ahmad Ali, on Monday emerged the Speaker of the Kwara 8th Assembly.
Ali was unanimously elected by the 23 members of the State House of Assembly at its inauguration in llorin.
The motion for the selection of the speaker was moved by Alhaji Hassan Oyeleke (APC, Essa-Sawo-lgbodun constituency)) and seconded by Malam Adamu Usman (APC, Okuta-Yashikira Constituency).
The member representing Lanwa-Ejodongari constituency, Mr Mathew Okedare, emerged as the deputy speaker of the Assembly.
In his acceptance speech, the new speaker, Ali said the task ahead of the new legislators was daunting in view of the frightening economic outlook of the country.
He said that youth unemployment, which had risen to an unprecedented level, needed to be tackled.
Ali noted that as representatives of the people, who share their aspirations and pains, the legislators must be creative in finding a short term and long term solution to the problems on the ground.
The new speaker said the Assembly was unique in many ways as it has no single member of the opposition party.
The former member of the House of Representatives advised new members to avoid negative tendencies that could draw back legislative process.
He called for unity among members towards ensuring transparency, accountability and good governance.
Ali assured Kwara people that the Assembly would be the first to enact a state version of Administration of Criminal Justice to ensure that citizens accused of committing crime got justice within one year.
He explained that the child protection and gender sensitive laws would also be given proper attention.
Ali promised that the Assembly would work hand in hand with other arms of government to move the state forward.
He encouraged members to immediately establish constituency offices in their respective areas to maintain close touch with the people that voted for them.
The speaker appreciated Kwara people, political leaders and the supporters of APC, who stood by them during their contest that led to their emergence.
Other principal officers elected at the inaugural sitting are: Alhaji Hassan Oyeleke, (Essa-Shawo-Igbodun), House Leader and Hajia Segilola AbdulKadir, Deputy House Leader.
Others are Malam Umar Gunu (Ilesha-Gwanara), Chief Whip and Mrs Felicia Owolabi (Ekiti Constituency), Deputy Chief Whip .
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that thousands of relations, friends and party supporters of the new members thronged the Assembly to witness the inauguration.
Security men had hectic time controlling vehicular and human movements at the assembly premises. (NAN)
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