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Senator Lawan’s Transformative Leadership of the National Assembly
By Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo
The leadership tenure of Senator Ahmad Lawan as President of the Nigerian Senate between 2019 and 2023, heralded a remarkable era of transformation and progress for the National Assembly.
Beyond the passage of landmark legislations, it is on record that the Federal Legislature under Senator Lawan owed its successes to best legislative practices that defined his leadership. Such practices included the adoption of a comprehensive Legislative Agenda that ab initio set out priorities and goals for the Ninth National Assembly. The agenda ensured that legislative activities were aligned with national development objectives.
Prominent amongst the major achievements recorded was the restoration of the January to December budget timeline. Similarly, under the able leadership of former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, the National Assembly not only enhanced the efficiency of the budget process but also created a more transparent and accountable system.
One of the ways it did was to prioritize the early passage of the budget by consistently having it approved by December of the preceding year, providing ample time for its implementation. This timely approval prevented the previous practice of extending the budget cycle into the following year, ensuring a more predictable and orderly budgeting process.
In addition, the 9th National Assembly, adopted a participatory and transparent approach to budget review that adhered strictly to its legislative procedures. Budget Defence sessions were held with the Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, in a way that made it mandatory for them to defend their respective budget estimates and ensure that they align with the needs and priorities of the citizenry. Furthermore, the budget was made publicly available for scrutiny, promoting accountability and transparency.
The restoration of the January to December budget cycle under Senator Ahmad Lawan had a profound impact on the nation’s economy at the time, as it removed the uncertainty and delays associated with the extended budget cycle. It also, amongst others, ensured the timely implementation of government programmes and projects; improved economic planning and decision-making; and enhanced the credibility and transparency of the budget process.
Infrastructure Development
The Senator Lawan-led National Assembly embarked on a transformative approach to governance that resulted in significant infrastructural developments and capacity-building initiatives. Key amongst these achievements were the renovation of the chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives; and initiation and completion of critical National Assembly projects, such as the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) Permanent Site; and the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) complex.
National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)
NILDS is a foremost institute established to enhance the capacity of legislators, parliamentary staff, and other stakeholders in legislative governance. As Chairman of NILDS Governing Council, Senator Ahmad Lawan pushed for the construction and completion of a world-class facility for the institute that boasts of state-of-the-art classrooms, an expansive library, and office complex, enabling it to effectively train and develop future leaders in legislative and democratic processes.
Although the groundbreaking ceremony was done in 2013 under the leadership of the President of the 7th Senate, Senator David Mark, the commissioning of the NILDS Permanent site was carried out by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May, 2023, upon its completion by the leadership of Senator Ahmad Lawan.
The Governing Council of the Institute approved the establishment of a Legislative Centre for Security Analysis; and NILDS Democracy Radio 104.9FM, both of which were temporarily located at 4, Linda Chalker Street, Asokoro, Abuja. The two agencies of the Institute were commissioned on 24th May, 2023, by Senator Ahmad Lawan, and the former Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Governing Council also gave its approval for the annual quiz competition, which used to be restricted to Secondary Schools in the Federal Capital Territory, to cover Secondary Schools all over the federation.
The Senator Lawan-led NILDS Governing Council consolidated on its core mandates and expanded the scope of its activities by providing capacity building workshops and technical assistance to the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly as well as national parliaments from across Africa. These were made possible through timely approval of NILDS work plan and annual budget, as well as developmental policies approved by the Council under the Leadership of Senator Ahmad Lawan. It also gave approval to the Revised Scheme of Service and Administrative Manual of the Institute with a lot of innovations, including opportunities to promote qualified Academic Staff of the Institute to the rank of Associate Professors and Professors.
National Assembly Service Commission (NASC)
The National Assembly Service Commission is the administrative arm of the National Assembly established by the NASC Act, 2000, which was amended as the National Assembly Service Act 2014. Since its establishment, the Commisison has been operating from a rented property. First from its former offices at the Federal Secretariat, Phase III, Wuse II Abuja, to the present Office Complex at Plot 664, T.O.S. Benson Crescent, Off Okonjo Iweala Way, Utako, Abuja. This lack of suitable accommodation has impacted negatively on the performance of the statutory functions of the Commission.
Consequently, the Commission approached the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) for allocation of a parcel of land for the construction of an Office Complex. In furtherance of the request, the FCTA allocated land within the precinct of the National Assembly to the Commission in 2010. However, the land remained fallow for nine years while the NASC continued to operate from a rented property situated in a residential area that was rented with a huge sum in annual payments.
Worried that staff and property of the Commission were exposed to security risks and other adverse operational conditions, the 5th Commission in 2021 approached the Leadership of the 9th National Assembly under the Chairmanship of the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, for approval to commence the construction of a befitting Office Complex for the Commission on the allocated land within the precinct of the National Assembly Complex. The Leadership of the 9th National Assembly approved the construction of the NASC Office Complex and appropriated sufficient funds for the project’s take-off.
The construction of the NASC Office Complex was awarded to an indigenous construction company, STRABIC CONSTRUCTION Company Limited. The site was handed over to the Contractor on 10th August, 2021, while the Foundation Laying Ceremony was held on 20th October, 2021, by the Chairman of the 9th National Assembly, Senator Ahmad Lawan.
The befitting edifice, which is about to be occupied by the National Assembly Service Commission remains a legacy of the Senator Lawan-led 9th National Assembly that will centralized the operations of the NASC, streamline administrative processes and improve efficiency.
As Senator Lawan celebrates his 66th birthday anniversary on 12th January, 2024, I join Nigerians to express our gratitude for his selfless contributions to our nation’s development. I wish him many more years of productive service to our fatherland.
Tabiowo is the Media Adviser to Senator Ahmad Lawan and writes from Abuja.
Catholic cardinals have elected Robert Prevost, the first Pope from the United States of America, who has taken the new name Pope Leo XIV after the conclave decided in just four rounds of voting on Thursday.
Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi said it took cardinals only four rounds of voting to pick a new pope and that white smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel chimney after a day’s voting is “a clear sign of the unity of the Church. ”
The Pontiff, picked even faster than his predecessor, Francis, appeared on the Vatican balcony amid enthusiastic cheers from thousands of faithful who packed St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday to witness the historic event.
“May peace be with all of you,” he said from the Vatican balcony after paying tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who gave his life to the service of humanity. He stressed that he wants to deliver his blessing to the people as Pope Francis did in his last appearance in St Peter’s Square.
After concluding his speech, the new Pope started reading a religious passage in Latin, paying homage to the saints and the Madonna. The pope continued with a message of peace and noted, “God loves us all, unconditionally”.
“Humanity needs Christ as a bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges.
“Without fear, united hand in hand with God, we are the Disciples of Christ, and the world needs his light.
“Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I want to offer a greeting of peace to your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you,” he said.
Chicago-born Prevost, 69, is seen as a reformer who worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there.
The cardinals strongly perceived that the new pope would need to carry forward Pope Francis’s legacy of reaching out to those on the margins and bring along with him a wide spectrum of those within the Church, including those with whom Pope Francis was sometimes at loggerheads.
Observers considered Cardinal Robert Prevost a candidate who could fulfil that role—someone who could be a bridge between different worlds.
The fact that the conclave decided in just four rounds of voting suggests that the cardinals agreed with that assessment.
Robert Prevost will be the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter. Although he is the first American to fill the role of Pope, he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru before becoming an archbishop there.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Ecuadorian and French descent, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982. Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a priest in his home city.
He has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges. He spent 10 years as a local parish pastor and teacher at a seminary in Trujillo in northwestern Peru.
He is well known to cardinals because of his high-profile role as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Latin America, which has the critical task of selecting and supervising bishops. Francis made him a cardinal less than two years ago.
As Francis appointed 80% of the cardinals who took part in the conclave, it is unsurprising that someone like Prevost was elected, even if he was only recently appointed.
He will be seen as a figure who favoured the continuity of Francis’ reforms in the Catholic Church. Prevost is believed to have shared Francis’ views on migrants, the poor and the environment.
He will be fully aware of the divisions within the Catholic Church, and his Latin American background also represents continuity after a Pope who came from Argentina.
During his time as archbishop in Peru, he did not escape the sexual abuse scandals that have clouded the Church. However, his diocese fervently denied he had been involved in any attempted cover-up.
Before the conclave, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that during gatherings of the College of Cardinals in the days before the conclave they emphasised the need for a pope with “a prophetic spirit capable of leading a Church that does not close in on itself but knows how to go out and bring light to a world marked by despair”.
Top 10 Things to Know About the New Pope, Robert Francis Prevost
1. First American Pope
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the first pope from the United States, born in Chicago, Illinois.
2. Elected as the 267th Pope
He was chosen after a swift two-day conclave, becoming the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
3. Age and New Namel
At 69 years old, he adopted the papal name Leo XIV upon his election.
4. Deep Missionary Experience in Latin America
Prevost spent over a decade in Peru as a bishop and seminary educator, gaining respect for his pastoral leadership and cultural fluency.
5. Leader of the Augustinian Order
He led the Augustinians globally for over ten years, managing an international religious community.
6. Key Vatican Roles
Before becoming pope, he was Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America—two influential positions in Church governance.
7. Academic and Legal Scholar
He holds degrees in mathematics, theology, and canon law, and has taught canon law in Latin America.
8. Calm, Reform-Oriented Leader
Known for his consensus-building style, Pope Leo XIV is seen as a clear-headed reformer continuing the legacy of Pope Francis.
9. Advocate for Women’s Inclusion
He supports meaningful female participation in Church governance, emphasising their real impact within Vatican bodies.
10. Mission-Driven Papacy
Pope Leo XIV remains committed to missionary work, global outreach, and addressing challenging issues like clerical abuse with humility and resolve.
Catholic cardinals have elected Robert Prevost, the first Pope from the United States of America, who has taken the new name Pope Leo XIV after the conclave decided in just four rounds of voting on Thursday.
Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi said it took cardinals only four rounds of voting to pick a new pope and that white smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel chimney after a day’s voting is “a clear sign of the unity of the Church. ”
The Pontiff, picked even faster than his predecessor, Francis, appeared on the Vatican balcony amid enthusiastic cheers from thousands of faithful who packed St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday to witness the historic event.
“May peace be with all of you,” he said from the Vatican balcony after paying tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who gave his life to the service of humanity. He stressed that he wants to deliver his blessing to the people as Pope Francis did in his last appearance in St Peter’s Square.
After concluding his speech, the new Pope started reading a religious passage in Latin, paying homage to the saints and the Madonna. The pope continued with a message of peace and noted, “God loves us all, unconditionally”.
“Humanity needs Christ as a bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges.
“Without fear, united hand in hand with God, we are the Disciples of Christ, and the world needs his light.
“Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I want to offer a greeting of peace to your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you,” he said.
Chicago-born Prevost, 69, is seen as a reformer who worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there.
The cardinals strongly perceived that the new pope would need to carry forward Pope Francis’s legacy of reaching out to those on the margins and bring along with him a wide spectrum of those within the Church, including those with whom Pope Francis was sometimes at loggerheads.
Observers considered Cardinal Robert Prevost a candidate who could fulfil that role—someone who could be a bridge between different worlds.
The fact that the conclave decided in just four rounds of voting suggests that the cardinals agreed with that assessment.
Robert Prevost will be the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter. Although he is the first American to fill the role of Pope, he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru before becoming an archbishop there.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Ecuadorian and French descent, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982. Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a priest in his home city.
He has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges. He spent 10 years as a local parish pastor and teacher at a seminary in Trujillo in northwestern Peru.
He is well known to cardinals because of his high-profile role as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Latin America, which has the critical task of selecting and supervising bishops. Francis made him a cardinal less than two years ago.
As Francis appointed 80% of the cardinals who took part in the conclave, it is unsurprising that someone like Prevost was elected, even if he was only recently appointed.
He will be seen as a figure who favoured the continuity of Francis’ reforms in the Catholic Church. Prevost is believed to have shared Francis’ views on migrants, the poor and the environment.
He will be fully aware of the divisions within the Catholic Church, and his Latin American background also represents continuity after a Pope who came from Argentina.
During his time as archbishop in Peru, he did not escape the sexual abuse scandals that have clouded the Church. However, his diocese fervently denied he had been involved in any attempted cover-up.
Before the conclave, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that during gatherings of the College of Cardinals in the days before the conclave they emphasised the need for a pope with “a prophetic spirit capable of leading a Church that does not close in on itself but knows how to go out and bring light to a world marked by despair”.
Top 10 Things to Know About the New Pope, Robert Francis Prevost
1. First American Pope
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the first pope from the United States, born in Chicago, Illinois.
2. Elected as the 267th Pope
He was chosen after a swift two-day conclave, becoming the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
3. Age and New Namel
At 69 years old, he adopted the papal name Leo XIV upon his election.
4. Deep Missionary Experience in Latin America
Prevost spent over a decade in Peru as a bishop and seminary educator, gaining respect for his pastoral leadership and cultural fluency.
5. Leader of the Augustinian Order
He led the Augustinians globally for over ten years, managing an international religious community.
6. Key Vatican Roles
Before becoming pope, he was Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America—two influential positions in Church governance.
7. Academic and Legal Scholar
He holds degrees in mathematics, theology, and canon law, and has taught canon law in Latin America.
8. Calm, Reform-Oriented Leader
Known for his consensus-building style, Pope Leo XIV is seen as a clear-headed reformer continuing the legacy of Pope Francis.
9. Advocate for Women’s Inclusion
He supports meaningful female participation in Church governance, emphasising their real impact within Vatican bodies.
10. Mission-Driven Papacy
Pope Leo XIV remains committed to missionary work, global outreach, and addressing challenging issues like clerical abuse with humility and resolve.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
As the 2027 general elections approach, respected elder and retired military officer, Brigadier General Simon Katunku Gora, in a press statement today, made a compelling public appeal to the people of ZangoKataf/Jaba Federal Constituency, stressing the importance of adhering to the long-established zoning formula. He called all political actors and constituents to respect Zoning arrangement that has long fostered unity, stability, and inclusiveness in the region.
Speaking on the issue of zoning arrangement, Gen. Gora acknowledged the deep historical significance of the zoning system in ZangoKataf/Jaba federal constituency. According to him, the zoning principle wasn’t a product of political manipulation or favouritism. Rather, it was a mutual agreement among the region’s founding fathers a conscious decision to maintain equity, balance, and fair political representation for every community, regardless of size or influence.
“Our constituency has always stood on a foundation of mutual respect, collaboration and cooperation,” Gen. Gora stated.
He expressed deep concern over what he described as an increasing disregard for the zoning arrangement. Gen. Gora warned that political ambition and selfish interests are beginning to erode the spirit of unity the zoning system was built to protect.
“It is heartbreaking to witness betrayals of this noble system,” Gen. Gora said. “When individuals prioritise their personal gain over collective agreements, they plant seeds of division, instability, and mistrust. We must remember: a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
He urged politicians to resist the temptation of political shortcuts, reminding them that leadership is not simply about acquiring power it’s about sacrifice, responsibility, and service to the people and humanity.
Addressing those eager to contest in the 2027 general election for ZangoKataf/Jaba federal constituency outside the agreed zoning rotation, he advised them to wait for their turn. Gen. Gora was clear and unwavering: “Wait your turn.” He emphasised that respecting the zoning order wouldn’t only strengthens the democratic process but also reinforces the core values of justice and accountability.
“Leadership is more than occupying an office,” he stated. “It is a sacred duty rooted in integrity and humility. Those who seek to lead must first prove themselves capable of self-restraint and honouring agreements.” he said.
He also reminded his audience that breaking the zoning consensus for short-term political gain could have long-lasting consequences on social harmony and development within the constituency. In his stirring address, he appealed to all citizens youths, traditional rulers, political leaders, and community stakeholders to prioritise the future over fleeting ambition. He called on everyone to defend the zoning arrangement as a legacy of equity that must be preserved for coming generations.
“We must not rewrite the rules simply to satisfy today’s interests,” he declared. “Let’s honour the collective sacrifices of our elders and protect the values they instilled through consensus and dialogue.” he stated.
Gen. Gora further emphasised that the zoning system was not just a political tool, but a symbol of unity, and its continuity was essential for maintaining peace, stability, and fairness across all communities in ZangoKataf and Jaba federal constituency.
In his closing remarks Gen. Gora call to action, urging every segment of society to rise above personal agendas and uphold the zoning principle as a unifying framework. He insisted that the zoning system remains the best path forward to ensure equal participation and representation. “To all stakeholders youths, elders, traditional leaders, and political actors let us work together to protect our shared values,” Gen. Gora said. “In doing so, we will secure a stronger, more united ZangoKataf/Jaba for generations to come.”