The value of quality representation

QUALITY legislative representation transcends the ability to move motions on the floor of the legislature. It is, crucially, also about proper linkage with the grass roots, attracting life-changing projects to constituencies. It involves appropriate linkage with the executive arm of government, and being above board in the discharge of legislative duties. Men and women within our sociopolitical discourse who have risen above mediocrity to add real value to the political cum developmental narrative of Nigeria deserve mention. Quality senators and House of Representatives members count it all joy that they are given the opportunity to serve and contribute their quota to the development of the country. Their constituents and Nigerians at large are big winners: this is because it is a hard for the electorate to always, at every electoral season, elect men and women of good virtues. The reality of the Nigerian situation is that the political class is replete with political figures who see politics as another means to acquire wealth and boost public status. The representative of Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Tolu Odebiyi, beyond all reasonable doubt, deserves to be counted among the few members of the legislature who are serving the people in terms of life changing and sustainable projects that will see to the growth and development of the people. The people sing a new song, for the narrative has been exciting in Yewa-land: the immense infrastructure cum industrial growth and development been witnessed in the federal constituency is one which can only be brought into existence by a man with a great vision and plan for the people.

The dividends of quality legislative representation are being brought to the doorsteps of the people of Yewaland. There is ample evidence of projects strategically put in place, well-thought-out initiatives that will ensure that the people have their own fair share of the dividends of democracy. There is great value in a legislator that the people can truly call their own. It is most heartening to know and realize that within the first two years, a member of the Upper Chamber has been able to sponsor numerous bills, including the following:  i. A bill for an Act to establish the National institute of Border Studies in Imeko Ogun State ii. A bill for an Act to amend the National youth service corps Act No:51 of 1993 and for other matters related therewith iii. A bill for an Act to establish the Chartered Institute Of Administrators and Registrars of Nigerian Universities. iv. A bill for an Act to alter the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 CAP C23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to make provision for change of name of the area referred to as Egbado in Ogun State to Yewa as contained in Part 1 SEC 3[1] of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 [as amended].

On 14th of April 2021, the senator sponsored a bill for an act to provide the establishment of the National Burns and Rehabilitation Center Ilaro, Ogun State. According to him, the purpose of the bill was to ensure that there was a facility that could provide intensive treatment and rehabilitative needs of burns victim and to train capable hands in the treatment of burns related injuries. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic led to economic downturns for many Nigerians and households. This was a result of the lockdown rules imposed by state governments and the Federal Government to curb the spread of the virus in the country. While some political figures politicised the situation using the opportunity to get cheap political and social attention, Odebiyi rose to the occasion. His objective was to ensure that his people were not weighed down by the onslaught of the pandemic. Foodstuffs and monetary palliatives were together with public health infomercials and the distribution of sanitizers and medical nose masks.

Proper linkage with the Federal Ministry of Works has seen to the repair of the following roads: Ota-Abeokuta, the Atan-Agbara road and the Ita Oshin-Iyana Ibara Orile road.Several projects worth N223.5 million to his constituency. Among them is the supply of farm seedlings and pesticides to farmers in Ogun West Senatorial district, training and provision of fingerlings to fish farmers in Ogun West Senatorial district, construction of hand pumping boreholes across local government areas in the district, among many other projects. Through his undergraduate scholarship initiative, over 50 students drawn across Ogun West Senatorial District have been offered a full undergraduate scholarship. This is in addition to poverty alleviation and skills acquisition programmes for market women and youths in the district, and donation of ICT equipment such as lap tops and gadgets to students and women entrepreneurs. Moro community, Yewa North, Ogun State has been faced with the critical challenge of the non-availability of water, but that has been addressed with the provision of community boreholes. A legislator of value must stay off scandals. That is also in evidence.

• Salako is publisher, Triangle Magazine.

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