Memo to Incoming Legislators

MY MEMO TO INCOMING LEGISLATORS

       

         

Surely, night is longer than day for those who dream; whilst, day is longer than night for those who make their dreams come true. But as you endeavour to make your dreams come true, don’t be pushed around by your plights, rather be led by the dreams in question.

        

Dear incoming legislators, both national and state; as you are prepared to assume duty soonest, I must let you understand some basic facts relating to the portfolio you are about to behold as well as the expectations of the people to ensure that your respective dreams become realities.

        

First and foremost, never you allow yourselves to be marred by apathy. The earlier we comprehend that apathy makes one’s position to seem passive, the better for us. Thus I enjoin you to try at all cost not to be attacked by the cankerworm because it maims and even kills. Endeavour to take your legislative activity very seriously at all times regardless of the circumstance your office might be facing, because that is the only reason you were sent by your constituents to represent them. In other words, any other thing outside legislation ought to be considered as secondary.

          

In the same vein, please endeavour to revive Constituency Briefing, which is gradually fading out in the Nigerian polity. Constituency briefing is a platform on which a legislator, either state or national, establishes a cordial relationship with his or her constituents. It is only through this medium that the members of your constituency would get to know what your office has done so far as well as what you are up to. If you are not close to them, they wouldn’t realize your intention or what you have been able to accomplish since you assume duty. It is so pathetic that most of our current legislators cannot boast of even a constituency office; talk more of creating an avenue for regular meeting/talk with his or her constituents.

          

Furthermore, I urge you to be vision-oriented while dishing out your duties. Do not be deterred by any challenge you might be facing in the office, rather let your electioneering campaign promises or manifestoes remain your driving force. You must regularly tell yourself that your people can not afford to receive excuses from you; hence, no matter the situation you are into, vision-oriented administration ought to be your watchword. Pursue the vision with extreme vigour or by embarking on a vigorous mission.

         

I also want you to, by all means, desist from partisan legislation. Don’t patronize anyone not even Mr President or Mr Governor as the case may be, because you are not in a market arena. You are there for a finite business, and that business is expected to be faced squarely without any iota of favour or fear of intimidation. The interest of your people must come first or be placed as a priority before any other one including your personal interest. Don’t be bought over by the executive arm; remain firm, determined, focused, and above all independent, in any legislative occasion you find yourself.

          

Inter alia, mediocrity should be thrown to the waste bin because that is where it rightly belongs. Please, let it not be business as usual; this time, we anticipate only quality laws and motions on the floor of the House or the Senate as the case might be. Nigeria deserves nothing but the best; so the best must be given to her, come rain come shine. We do not care for second best, rather second to none.

         

Most importantly, I enjoin you to revisit most of the already existing laws with a view to addressing some lapses or putting up an enhancement where necessary. Bear in mind that some of our laws seem outdated or inactive, thus must be reviewed for the interest of the country. Also, you ought to be ready, either in your individual or collective capacities, to enact new formidable laws. Thus, all the promising bills presently lying on the floor of the various Houses, both Federal and state, or the Senate should be given urgent and adequate attention as soon as you take over the helm of affairs.

          

Similarly, the ongoing late passage of appropriation bill, which has abruptly become a tradition among our law makers, required a radical and dogged consideration. An appropriation bill that is supposed to be passed into law prior to the commencement of the concerned fiscal year is now being passed at the first, or even second, quarter of the year. Isn’t it ridiculous? How can a budget meant for a certain year be made available at the second quarter of the year in question? It is indeed laughable, hence unacceptable.

        

Lastly but not the least, the comprehensive report of the 2014 National Conference ought to be considered as soon as you assume duty with a view to endorsing the critical aspects of the report. You shouldn’t allow the holistic conclusion of those distinguished nationalists to be swept under the carpet. A word is enough for the wise.

        

My incoming legislators, frankly the Nigerian pattern of legislation unequivocally needs a total overhaul. Let’s have this at the back of our minds, because that is the only way out. Please do not compromise any of the aforementioned anomalies if you are truly prepared to ignite a positive change, which everyone yearns for.

         

So, as you are set to make your dreams come true, I sincerely pray that your days would become longer than your nights. But as you strive towards actualizing your dreams, never allow your predicaments to push you around. Think about it!

COMR FRED NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056  

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