10th Senate; Giant Strides/ Starts of Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu.
Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu (Sarkin Yakin Keffi) Fondly refered to as ” The Horse Rider” is the Chairman, Senate Public Accounts Committee of the 10th Senate of the National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Obong Godswill Akpabio as Senate President, having won under the platform of Social Democratic Party SDP from Nassarawa state in the last March, 2023 general elections held in Nigeria and sworn in June, 2023.
Wadada representing Nassarawa West in the Senate is a political heavy weight both at the state and national level with ranking advantage as former member House of Representatives in 2011, when he represented Keffi, Karu and Kokona federal constituency of Nassarawa state.
A regular and frequent attendant of both plenary, committees and special session of the current Senate, was highly rated as one of the active senators in the current dispensation through public opinion poll, unknown to him.
An analyst described him as Agile, hardworking, Courageous , Fearless , focused, vocal and always up and doing,. Senator Wadada’s appointment came at a time when the need to rejig oversight functions of not only Ministries, Departments and Agencies needed a review and improvement, but including the need , to position government agencies with a view to delivering on their mandates.
Six months down the line as member of the Senate of the 10th Assembly, the workaholic , tireless Nassarawa West Senator has sponsored five bills with National and State impact on his constituents in Nassarawa state, a rare feat in recent times.
The bills covered areas of Agriculture, Auditing, Land Registry, Investments, and Transportation in the nation’s city, which played a crucial role to the development of both Nassarawa state and the country at large.
1. Agriculture Research Council of Nigeria Act Amendment Bill, 2023(SB.56) for establishment of a School of Fisheries and Aquatic Science at Umaisha in Toto Local Government Area.
2.Audit Service Bill, 2023(SB 132).
3.Federal Land Registry ( Miscellaneous Provision) Act. Amendment) Bill 2023(SB 178).
4. Nigeria investment Promotion Commission Act(Amendment) Bill, 2023(SB.196).
5. A Motion for the law enforcement agents to stem the tide of illegal garages, pick – up and drop off points in the FCT metropolis.
This was in June 2023 three days after the convening of the 10 the Senate.
All hail above mentioned bills have scaled first reading and are awaiting the second reading to enable the Senate debate it appropriately.
There is hardly a day, Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu doesn’t contribute to the activities in the Plenary being a vocal, focused and a ranking legislator already conversant with the challenges of law making and all required to achieve maximally. His voice in the constituency is also loud as he is a man in sync with his constituents.
In addition to his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts , Distinguished Senator Aliyu Wadada also hold the membership of the following committees of the Senate.
1. Marine Transport.
2.Ecology and Climate change
3.Agriculture Production ,Services and Rural development.
4.Employment and Productivity
5.Foreign Affairs.
6.Agriculture Colleges and Institution.
7.Solid Minerals.
8.Youth and Sports.
9.Navy.
10.Oil and Gas host Communities.
11.Trade and investments.
12.Women Affairs.
and
13.Media and Public Affairs.
To solidify the oversight functions of his committee, Wadada in 2023 advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through his committee on the need for appointment of substantive Auditor General of the federation OAGF, an advise the President oblige without delay in line with the constitutional requirements.
As we look forward towards the resumption of the National Assembly by January 30 , 2024 , no doubt the Nassarawa Senator will do more in all areas to ensure smooth running of government in all areas.
Alfa Shittu Ishiaka.
Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu
