Opinion
QUALITY REPRESENTATION: _THE EXAMPLE OF KAURU REPS. MEMBER, RT. HON. MUKHTAR’S PERSPECTIVE
By Comr. S.M. TAGGAH (a Digital Media Consultant/Public Affair Commentator)
Undoubtedly, the historical achievements in legislative business, critical interventions and empowerment programmes in Kauru Federal Constituency since 1999, stands out Rt. Hon. Mukhtar Zakari Chawai as the best performing House of Representatives Member, ever elected. This is achieved through his perspective of People-centric representation.
Going by his track records, he is widely regarded as one of the best and most formidable, transparent and committed House of Representatives Member elected under the platform of the APC from Kauru LGA of Kaduna South Senatorial District of Kaduna State.
Evidently, it’s a known fact that in the history of Kauru Federal Constituency, we never had it this right by witnessing such a quality representation in the National Assembly as it is now. In Mukhtar, we have seen a brilliant Representative, whose voice continues to echoes louder in the plenary of the green chamber, speaking out for us especially in times of emergency.
Rt. Hon. Mukhtar Zakari Chawai has been serving and representing the good people of Kauru Federal Constituency and their collective interests with Integrity and sincerity, working closely with critical stakeholders advancing the principle of mutual collaboration to create room for constant engagements to account for his stewardship by ensuring that every penny appropriated for public use, is judiciously utilized and accounted for to achieve the desire results.
In the meantime, Rt. Hon. Mukhtar’s achievements in his less than two year in office in this second tenure marks a sharp shift and speedy improvements in the area of quality representation. This clearly shows that the member’s current achievements in the National Assembly is a consolidation of his last achievements, making amendment head front in the areas where necessary.
Hence, his rural transformative projects this time around are quite amazing. He has lobbied and facilitated critical Infrastructural intervention projects through various Federal Government’s Agencies and International Organisations to improve the living standard of the constituents and to enhance security in Kauru Local Government Area.
Worthy of note includes; the ongoing implementation of Solar Powered Electrification Project across major communities affected by insecurity in the constituency, Women and Youth empowerment initiative, Provision of agricultural inputs and farm implements to rural farmers, Bursary/scholarship awards to indigent students studying in higher institutions across the country, supplies of Learning materials to selected Primary and Secondary Schools in Kauru LGA, among others. These interventions, are quite significant in enhancing community development.
Being an experienced legislator, Rt. Hon. Mukhtar’s Legislative Excellence is gaining momentum locally and internationally. He was sworn as a member of the Pan African Parliament in March 2024 as part of the Nigerian delegation. In this 10th Assembly, Hon. Mukhtar upon resumption, has taken various leadership responsibilities as a member of many Parliamentary Committees of the National Assembly including Water Resources, Power, etc. where he leads major oversight functions at both National and International levels.
This is obviously seen through his active participation in the plenaries. Hon. Mukhtar’s consistent and systemic motions of great importance as moved and adopted during Plenaries underscored his perspective of quality representation. These motions include the recent motion presented during the 2025 Budget presentation at the joint National Assembly Plenary where he called for increased in budgetary allocation to these critical sectors of the economy and national development; agriculture, Road infrastructure and education to ensure timely completion of major Road Projects such as Maraban Jos – Saminaka and giving a boost to food production and increased educational funding in the Country.
Just few weeks ago, his motion calling for an immediate overhauling of security challenges particularly in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State where cases of banditry, kidnapping and cow rustling have badly affected Kumana and Kauru Chiefdoms, was adopted through the support of his colleagues.
Interestingly, these and other noticeable legislative efforts of Rt. Hon. Muktar Zakari Chawai brought about timely presence of Military and other Special Taskforce working across Kauru local government area of Kaduna State. The Military are now taming and mitigating the rising banditry activities in the area.
However, his ambitious grassroots engagement with critical stakeholders and collaboration with the Executive arm of government at all levels to attract developmental projects to Kauru local government are key factors that actually stands him out as a force of progress in Kauru LGA and beyond.
Objectively, a call for an overwhelming support from the people of Kauru Local Government Area, to rally round for a Sustained quality representation in the National Assembly is far beyond partisan politics but rather, a passion that emanates from a burning desire for transformational leadership.
Therefore, I am calling on Rt. Hon. Muktar to sustain this tempo and prioritize inclusive Representation for effective delivery of productive dividends of democracy to advance good governance through quality representation and collaboration. This is not just anticipated of him but is the sincere expectations of the people of Kauru LGA, a life long collective desire of our people to support a selfless leader like him who is ready to drive sustainable development in all aspects of our local government.
Of course, the momentum is building up and constituents are anxiously anticipating more projects to be facilitated from the Federal Government to Kauru LGA through Hon. Mukhtar’s influence, leveraging on his network of friends above party lines nationwide. I am optimistic that Rt. Hon. Muktar is more than ever ready to do more to ensure the sustainability of his achievements in the National Assembly.
The Honourable Member has the people’s mandate and is jealously protecting it with every sense of responsibility. We must as constituents, remain supportive and ensure that our common interest is highly protected. Championing a course to our prosperity is indeed a clarion call to take responsibility. Let’s work together to make ‘Kauru Development Project’ a done deal for posterity sake.
May Wali, Mai Gaiskiya, Mai Adalci, Mai Jama’a, Mai Capacity, Mai Hakuri, Mai Ginau, succeeds for a greater Kauru Local Government Area, amen.
*COMR. S.M. TAGGAH* is a Content Creator and Digital Media Consultant/Public Affair Commentator, Write from; Kizachi Community of Pari Ward, Kauru LGA, Kaduna State. sundaymatthewtaggah@gmail.com
08074148849.
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_T-LINK COMMUNICATIONS;_ *A Kaduna Based Digital Media and Publicity Consult.*
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.