Nigeria's Conference of Speakers: Nwifuru emerges Southeast National Vice Chairman

 

By Victor Nwegede

The Honourable Speaker of the 6th Ebonyi State House of Assembly,  Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has been elected South-East National Vice Chairman, Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria. 

The Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Comrade Leo Ekene Oketa, disclosed this in a statement he issued and made available to newsmen today.

According to the statement, "Nigeria’s Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures had their meeting on Thursday, November 5, 2020, in the nation’s capital - Abuja, with the election of their National Leaders as priority agenda. 

"In a comprehensive list of the Elected National Leaders of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria released by the forum, Speaker Nwifuru emerged meritoriously alongside nine (9) other elected leaders of the Conference of Speakers."

It further read: "Undoubtedly Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has proven his mettle time and time again as a passionate leader of men, a forthright character, nimble in legislation and laced in humility. This has earned him many accolades, notably, steering the ship of the most peaceful and productive State House of Assembly in Nigeria. 

"Records are clear enough that Speaker Nwifuru is the first 2-time Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly - a pointer to his leadership prowess and legislative capacity. Talk of efficient and effective legislation, he has overseen the transition of a plethora of human interest Bills to Laws in Ebonyi State House of Assembly. Some of them include:

"Ebonyi State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 013 of 2019, which promotes speedy dispensation of Justice, encourages Restorative Justice and modernises Criminal Justice tools:

"Ebonyi State Public Procurement Law No 009 of 2020, which tightened loopholes for embezzlement of public funds and ensures transparency and accountability of financial transactions; 

"Ebonyi State Vocational College Law No 014 of 2020 - Law to establish  Ebonyi State Vocational College, empowering the State to train our people adequately in various skilled trade to make them self reliant and financially stable; and a host of others.

"Little wonder his colleagues from across the nation found him worthy of the position of the South-East National Vice Chairman, Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria. 

"Other elected leaders of the Conference of Speakers include; Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman (Speaker Bauchi State) - National Chairman; Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (Speaker Delta State) - National Deputy Chairman; Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole (Speaker Kogi State) - National Treasurer; Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi (Speaker Enugu State) - National Financial Secretary; Rt. Hon. Tasi’u Musa Maigari (Speaker Katsina State) - National Vice-Chairman North-West; Rt. Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim Abubakar (Speaker Gombe State) - National Vice-Chairman North-East; Rt. Hon. Abok Nuhu Ayoba (Speaker Plateau State) - National Vice-Chairman North-Central; Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo (Speaker Ogun State) - National Vice-Chairman South-West and Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey (Speaker Akwa-Ibom State) - National Vice-Chairman South-South.

"In furtherance of his dedication to robust legislation, development and transparency in Government, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru will surely employ his dexterous capacity  to harness the legislative fruits needed for the growth of the South Eastern region and so discharge his role effectively."