Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has urged lawmakers to rise up and meet the weighty expectations of Nigerians with integrity, unity and legislative action.
He also urged the lawmakers to be guided by patriotism in the discharge of their legislative duties.
“The rising cost of living, the instability in the energy sector and the persisting insecurity in parts of the nation, all these demand not just attention but legislative action.
“Legislative action to support the great work the executive arm led by President Bola Tinubu is doing to fix the myriad of challenges which besiege our nation.
“In the South-East and North-West, communities still battle criminality and terrorism. In the North-Central, farmers and herders still seek protection and justice.
“And in the South-South, the questions of environmental equity and resource fairness remain unresolved. These are not just news headlines, they are the bleeding wounds of the republic.
“Our people look up to us, not for rhetoric, but for rescue, but I believe that there is no river we cannot cross if we put our trust in God and faith in the people He has ordained to lead us in both the Executive and Legislative arms of our government.”
On the national conversation around electoral and judicial reforms, Akpabio acknowledged citizens’ growing demand for institutional accountability and called on his colleagues to respond with courage and diligence.
“My distinguished colleagues, let us make no mistake, we are under watch. The people are watching, the world is watching and our constituents are watching. History is silent but the unsleeping is watching.
“No test must find us wanting, no challenge must catch us unprepared. Let every vote we cast, every motion we raise, and every oversight we conduct, bear the fingerprints of integrity and patriotism.”
He said the task ahead of the National Assembly this session is solemn and historic.
According to him, the senate would be examining bills critical to national stability, on security reform, economic resilience, education, technology and youth empowerment.
“Our committees will delve into oversight functions that could unlock the performance potential of many MDAs.
He said the Senate had not forgotten the hopes of Nigerians, their hardships and their hunger for change. “We are here refreshed in spirit, renewed in resolve to build a nation where peace is not an illusion, and progress is not a promise, but a pattern,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senate will today begin the consideration of the controversial Tax Reform Bills, months after they were first introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
He made the disclosure after the report on the bills was laid by the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Sani Musa.
He urged the committee to distribute copies of the bill to all senators to enable them study it and be able to make informed contributions during its consideration.
The Senate’s legislative agenda includes bills focused on security sector reform, economic recovery, education, technology and youth empowerment.
Reassuring citizens of the Senate’s commitment, he concluded: “Your Senate is back at work. And we have not forgotten your hopes, your hardships, or your hunger for change.”
