Saraki reveals saddest day as Senate President

NEWS

Saraki reveals saddest day as Senate President

 

Outgoing Senate President, Bukola Saraki has revealed his saddest day as president of the 8th Senate.

He disclosed that the invasion of the National Assembly by armed security operatives in August 2018 remained his saddest day as Senate President.

Speaking during Senate’s valedictory session on Thursday in Abuja, Saraki said: “Distinguished colleagues, let me thank each and every one of you for your contributions towards making this the historic Senate that it is.

“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, because none of our achievements would have been possible without the support and cooperation of the entire members of this chamber.

“The invasion of the National Assembly by armed security operatives in August 2018 will live in infamy. 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.

“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.

“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.”

SHARE THIS STORY

NASS: Saraki to investigate new guidelines for journalists

NEWS

NASS: Saraki to investigate new guidelines for journalists

 

Olu Onemola, the Special Assistant on News Media to the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has revealed that the Senate will investigate the new guideline for journalists at the National Assembly.

He said that his principal remains committed to the freedom of the press.

Onemola stated this in a series of tweets in response to the alleged new guidelines for journalists in the National Assembly.

He stated that Saraki’s antecedents as the Chairman of the 8th National Assembly show that he has always believed in the right of journalists to operate unhindered in order to promote transparency.

The News Media aide emphasized that the purported issuance of the controversial guidelines would be promptly investigated.

According to him, “The attention of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has just been drawn to a story that is circulating on social media about the National Assembly issuing new guidelines to journalists.

“These alleged guidelines have not emanated from either the Senate President or the Speaker and will be promptly investigated.

“The public should note that the 8th National Assembly has been committed to the freedom of the press as exemplified by its work to bring governance closer to the people through live streams and live tweets.

“This is because the leadership of the 8th National Assembly believes strongly in the freedom of the press and in carrying the Nigerian public along. Hence, the Senate President and all his colleagues will continue to work to ensure that these freedoms remain unhindered.”

SHARE THIS STORY

Buhari meets Saraki, others at Aso Rock

POLITICS

Buhari meets Saraki, others at Aso Rock

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said he has reviewed the relationship between the executive arm of the government and the outgoing 8th National Assembly and concluded that it was not the best, and that the country deserves more.

The president made this known when he hosted the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President Bukola Saraki to aftar dinner (breaking of fast) at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday evening.

He said the nation deserved better than what it got and hoped for a better working relationship between the two arms of government with the forthcoming 9th National Assembly.

He said: “Relations between the Executive and the Legislature were not the best in the 8th National Assembly.

“I sincerely hope each one of us will do his utmost to ensure there is a better working relationship between these two arms of government in the 9th Assembly so that we can serve the people better,’’ NAN quoted him as saying.

He stressed that the principal task of the National Assembly “is to cooperate with the Executive so that together we can fashion policies that will lift our people out of poverty and out of illiteracy.

“I appeal to the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members to subordinate all personal interests and ambitions to the imperative of working for the common good of our people.”

The President congratulated the members-elect on their success in winning their constituency seats and opined that “this is a great burden and a great responsibility placed on you by your people.

“Our citizens are faced with challenges of poverty. Your principal task is to cooperate with the Executive so that together we can fashion policies that will lift our people out of poverty and out of illiteracy.

“I appeal to the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members to subordinate all personal interests and ambitions to the imperative of working for the common good of our people.”

He assured the leaders that his doors remained open “to all of you who have genuine concerns or advice to improve the quality of governance and service delivery to our people.”

Also speaking, President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki assured the President that the National Assembly would maintain focus on national interest at all times.

In addition to the President of the Senate and Speaker Yakubu Dogara, the event was attended by the Deputy Senate President and the Deputy Speaker, the majority and Minority leaders and the majority and Minority Whips and their deputies.

SHARE THIS STORY