LAGOS 8TH ASSEMBLY @ 1

The Lagos State House of Assembly today held the 1st year anniversary of the 8th assembly,

a special parliamentary session  themed: “LAGOS STATE STATUS IN A TRUE FEDERATION AND STATE POLICE“. This was organised to commemorate the one year anniversary and the 23rd year of June 12 struggle.

The Speaker of the House Rt.Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa who welcomed the overwhelming crowd, in his speech reiterated his commitment to serve Lagosians. Obasa said ‘….we are here to serve the people. our new members will find that we are often besieged by lobbyist, their advocacy plays a valuable role here. but we must never forget whom we really serve – the people of Lagos‘, this he culled from his inaugural speech at the beginning of the 8th Assembly.

Obasa said he is very proud and fulfilled that the 8th Assembly have done everything within their capacity to preserve and even improve on the quality of life of Lagosians through people oriented bills, which have become laws.

Rt.Hon.Obasa noted the achievements of the 8th Assembly in advancing legislation and policies that would secure the lives and well being of the people of Lagos state.

Speaking on June 12 struggle, Obasa made it known that the struggle stems democracy in Nigeria today and should be accorded such degree of recognition. He said MKO Abiola should be awarded a posthumous presidency title, stating that he deserves this even in death.

The event was a creme de la creme, heavily impacted and highly educative session with two powerful guest lecturers: Professor Itsay Sagay(SAN), a constitutional lawyer, Human Rights activist and Chairman presidential committee on anti-corruption; and Femi Falana (SAN) a lawyer and Human Right Activist. Both guest Lecturers did great Justice to the topic.

While Professor Sagay dealt with Federalism and its benefits pointing out the strength of Lagos state from the historic survival of its territorial and divisional splitting and her positive contribution to federalism,  Barrister Falana kicked off with commendation of the Lagos State past and present assemblies, ranking the assembly as the leading Legislative House in the country.

Falana stated that this feat was achieved way back starting with Senator Olorunibe Mamora who set good precedence from the 1st Assembly till date. He said.. ‘ the Lagos State House  of Assembly is the leading legislative house in Nigeria and have set so many standard to earn a special status‘ He went further to acknowledge Lagos State as the only viable State in Nigeria and therefore can afford State Policing amidst other things it sets out to achieve. Mr. Falana argued reasonably on numerous reasons for concession to provide adequate security in Lagos State.

Other discussants at the events were: IGP Musiliu Smith (rtd); Prof Siyam Oyeweso; Prof Eghosa Osaghea.

In attendance also were so many dignitaries; The First lady of the State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode; Former deputy Governor Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunyele; Former speaker and senator ,Olorunibe Mamora; Former Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Police commissioner, Fatai Owosheni; Chief Razak Okoya; Senator Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS) ; Obas from different divisions of the state and different groups and diplomats.