My take-off would be to embrace a cold truth. Ours is a society that is almost always guilty of the offense of selective amnesia. We tend to forget the good, but remember the bad and easily recall the ugly. Our democratic experience within the precincts of this fourth republic is a case in point. A sad reminder of our less than desirable past!
While it is indisputable that we have had the misfortune of recording lows in our effort to deepen democracy in Nigeria, it is also noteworthy that we have not only attained unprecedented milestones, but have likewise had active players whose records in office would make any Blackman walk tall in any part of the world. The positive, that is!
Without a shred of doubt, any attempt to appraise Nigeria’s 25 years of uninterrupted democracy would most likely throw up, in both our conscious and subconscious, images and memories of third term, electoral fraud, election violence, ballot snatching and the like. If the conversation is narrowed down to the legislative arm of government, what would readily spring to mind most predictably are budget-padding, gale of impeachments of presiding officers, legislature-executive standoffs et al.
Sadly, while we would gleefully rehash the senate Evan/Evans saga and retell the tragic fall of ex-lawmaker Farouk Lawan of the Federal House of Representatives as though those were all to say about Nigeria’s quarter-of-a-century old legislature, hardly would we ever seek to celebrate the unblemished parliamentary records of the like of Sen. Idris Kuta from Niger State who wore integrity like a badge of honour and at great personal cost and constituted themselves into the conscience of the parliament at the time.
I am therefore delighted to seek, through this piece, to strike a balance for the benefit of posterity. Yes, “history neither forgets nor forgives”, but we should also retain the other side of the coin that says “history never fails to reward good deeds”; otherwise, we would be building, inadvertently, a hate society that is perpetually headed south. I am afraid this would not be the road to the Nigeria of our dream!
Quite frankly, we actually mankind a sacred duty – not a discretionary right or favour – to conscientiously present all sides of our history in a measured, objective, fair and balanced manner. To do otherwise would be to deny posterity the inalienable right to reach independent, impartial judgement(s) over matters that preceded them.
Therefore, while we acknowledge the existence of Nigeria’s Hall of Shame for the legislature, we also do have a Hall of Fame that houses exceptional Nigerian legislators; notable amongst them is the young, decent, urbane and vibrant Kano-born Honourable Abubakar Kabir Bichi, representing Bichi Federal Constituency. Hon. Bichi is a chip off the old block! He is currently the Chairman of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.
He, unlike his peers, carries on as though he belongs to the old order. Despite and in spite of his age, his vision, public conduct and immaculate string of accomplishments make him come across as a clone or, better still, a hybrid of late Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, and ex-Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa. He embodies the virtue of humility, untainted devotion to the wellbeing of his constituents and uncommon integrity which he actually elevates to the position of a personal creed. He is, for Northern Nigeria and for the lack of a better description, a blast from the past! In our local parlance, a fitting sobriquet for him would most likely be “Better Pikin”.
Never in the history of Nigerian democracy – particularly in the present republic – have we had a parliamentarian with a good head on the shoulder who has brought his personal leadership traits to bear on his job in a manner that has effectively removed that all-important Appropriations Committee from the neighbourhood of controversy as we do have under Hon. Bichi. This simply attests to a legislator’s ability to rise above the lure of greed, filthy profit and group interest to promote inclusive national interest.
It should be put on record that on account of the rare diligence, discipline and patriotism of Hon. Bichi in the discharge of his duties, not too many Nigerians know who the current Chairman of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations is. The reason is simple: he does the right thing and thereby insulating his committee from avoidable public opprobrium and controversy.
Here is a well-bred young man, scion of former legislator, who combines his representation, oversight and law-making duties in such an amazing fashion that leaves discerning observers asking: “what manner of man is Hon. Bichi?” He is no doubt a special gift from Kano to Nigeria; he is also fast emerging as Nigeria’s gift to humanity. Hon. Bichi is not only making Kano proud, nor is he strictly representing the best of the North in contemporary Nigeria political firmament, he is for the larger majority, a special Nigerian Export to the World.
Across the length and breadth of Nigeria, it is doubtful that we can find a serving legislator who has a more brilliant record than Hon. Bichi in the areas of infrastructure transformation, empowering the youth, humanitarian interventions, equipping of public schools, scaling up skill acquisition and entrepreneurship, providing healthcare and resources for the elderly and promoting food security and economic development. These he admirably combines with his core duties of lawmaking and oversight functions.
What however stands him out remarkably is the fact that unlike what we find around, Hon. Bichi neither hugs the cameras nor engages in publicity stunts. On the contrary, he focuses on his mandate and stays committed to improving the wellbeing of his constituents. This is commendable and we should proudly flaunt it in our continuing search for a better society rooted in merit and love for fatherland.
Being that the reward for hard work is more work, then the Bichis of our National Assembly should realize that the people’s searchlight is on them, and that they cannot afford to rest on their oars, especially at a time both the Senate and the Federal House of Representatives need to redouble their efforts for accelerated national development.
Chuks Akamadu Esq. FIMC, M.IoD, MNIM, MNIPR, MNIMN, MITPN, CMC
President, Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths (CERANY)
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