The Nigerian Village Square - Open Letter to Speaker of the House Hon. Oladimeji Bankole

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Open Letter to Speaker of the House Hon. Oladimeji Bankole

Written by Joseph Inyang

Sunday, 04 November 2007

Open Letter to Speaker of the House Hon. Oladimeji Bankole

by Joseph Inyang

Dear Hon. Oladimeji Bankole:

Congratulations on your elections as the Speaker of House of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We and all Nigerians wish you well in the great task ahead of you and this great nation. May the almighty God also grant you the wisdom to rule wisely. We promise to support you and your team in all matters that benefit the Nigerian people.

Nigerians for Super Energy (NFSE) is a grassroots campaign aimed at supporting the need for energy in Nigeria and the sub region. We believe that in order to see our energy dream and so many other dreams in Nigeria come true, we must deepen the roots of our democracy. If we believe that in a democracy that power lies with the people and that information is power, then we need to provide information to the people. The way to give the people information is by the passage of the FOI (Free of Information Bill) and Whistleblowers Bill into law. It is one of the keys to transparency and hence good governance.

The people of Nigeria have been waiting for the FOI (Free of Information Bill) since 1999. On Monday, October 29, 2007, The Punch, reported that the Federal Government remains committed to passing the Freedom of Information Bill into law and Whistleblowers Bill. The message was delivered by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe at a workshop on Anti-Corruption and Good Governance for State Public Officers in Abuja. He said that the two bills would be passed in line with the present government’s commitment to the fight corruption. Kingibe also said that the government was committed not only to stamp out corruption but to institutionalise transparency in the country. The week before The Nation reported that the Senate had began fresh legislative work on the Freedom of Information Bill. Lastly, as you noted during your speech “We stand On The threshold of History,” you noted that you were assuming the leadership of the House at a trying period when the need to restore public confidence in the House, set agenda for legislative business and evolve best practice for public procurement, ensure judicious use of public funds, entrench transparency and accountability, as well as unite members of the House have become urgent and imperative.

As I was about to finish this letter, The Vanguard reported that Hon. Farouk Lawan (PDP-Kano), leader of the Intergrity group, said that the recent scandal makes it more imperative for accelerated passage of "protectionist laws" such as Freedom of Information Bill and Whistle Blower Bill, to ensure that similar deals were duly exposed.

Hon. Speaker we and all the Nigerian people would be more than honored when you fast track and pass the FOI (Free of Information Bill) and Whistleblowers Bill into law. As a symbol of change it would be great if this is the first bill that is passed under your leadership. Finally we believe this will set a new era in Nigerian politics for us and for our grandchildren to come.

Again, Congratulations on your elections as the Speaker of House of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God Bless Nigeria.

Robot Robot is offline
Villager

# 1 | 04.11.2007 09:06


	Hon. Speaker we and all the Nigerian people would ...Read the full article.

Omowa2 Omowa2 is offline
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# 2 | 05.11.2007 20:52


	Read this report and my fears about this new speaker will be confirmed. These4 are about the same words of Master Sergent Doe when he found himself in the state house. In Yoruba we say Omo Oju ko ri ola ri...Mark my word this is another Bank... I won’t disappoint Nigerians – Bankole By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta Tuesday, November 6, 2007 More Stories on This Section Newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. ‘Dimeji Sabur Bankole yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, assured Nigerians that he would not disappoint them. He spoke at the Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta during a courtesy visit on the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who expressed delight at his election. The speaker, who was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Whip, Alhaji Aminu Waziri and a lady, who was introduced as his wife, Mrs. Olaitan Bankole expressed gratitude to Nigerians, adding: “I am also very grateful to Ogun State, and indeed to the Abeokuta South Local Government.” He further said: “Today is not really a day of speech, but to be grateful to God, the people of Nigeria and Ogun State.” The new speaker paid glowing tribute to Governor Daniel who, he said, had taken personal interest in his life and career in the past four years. His words: “He (Governor Daniel) is someone who has taken me personally over the last four years. Someone who likes to play the big brother when I waver. Someone who has in many ways stood by me. “Most of you don’t know when everyone else doubted me, it was a question of trust on this man (Daniel). By God’s grace, I will not disappoint this person. Please help me to thank Otunba Gbenga Daniel.” He canvassed support for Governor Daniel, saying “Let’s come together and assist, help Governor Daniel in the task of governing the state. Daniel in his brief remark described the appointment of the new speaker as a generational shift, saying: “Today clearly is a day when the next generation is giving a good account of themselves. “In the election of Hon. Dimeji Bankole, we are quite hopeful that the fortune and image of the House of Representatives will have a positive turn in the next few weeks or months.” Daniel also paid glowing tributes to the father of the speaker, saying:” Where ever he may be today, he will be a happy man, saying this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” He thanked members of the House for reposing confidence in the ability of the new speaker and assured him that the machinery he left behind would continue to assist him in whatever way possible. Earlier, the speaker narrated his experience in the barely four-days in office and concluded that he was adjusting to the demands and paraphernalia of office. Hon Dimeji told Governor Daniel how he wanted to purchase air ticket for his journey to Abeokuta, the state capital and how he was told by his Chief Security Officer (CSO) and ADC that he could not travel in a commercial flight except by the Presidential Jet. His words: “After telling Governor Daniel of my visit to Ogun State, I asked my CSO and ADC to go and purchase ticket and the ADC started smiling. He told me that I can’t travel in the morning. I asked him to get me that of afternoon and the guy started laughing again. “At that point, it was like, I am doing something wrong and he said Oga, you are not allowed to go on commercial flight. I then said if I can’t go by flight, then I can go by road. The gentleman was hysterical.” Continuing, he said: “Trying to control himself, he later said the Presidential Jet will be made available. I excused him for a second and went into my bedroom and I say Oh my God, controlling myself and I told the ADC to get the Presidential Jet ready and he said Yes Sir with a smile on his face. “Later the Chief of Staff came calling saying Yes and he requested when I wanted the Jet and replied sometime around 8.00 a.m. He wanted to know when I would come back and I said sometimes in the afternoon. He then said Ok. The Jet will drop you off, wait for you and then bring you back to Abuja.” And I said OGD must hear this. He sent me to Abuja , I was not thinking of the Presidential Jet and all sort of other funny things”.

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