Valedictory: Lawmaker-elect Yishawu hails Obasa, Lagos Speaker, endorses him for another term

By Abdulfatah On Jun 3, 2023

As the 9th session of the Lagos State House of Assembly officially ended on June 2, 2023, a returning lawmaker-elect, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, has given Glory to God Almighty for his mercies and favour for a successful term, expressing gratitude to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, for honouring members who worked tirelessly for the success of the 9th Assembly.

Recall that Speaker Obasa, in his valedictory speech, commended the 9th Assembly lawmakers for their support which led to the passing of 46 bills, over 120 resolutions and a couple of regulations. He also presented certificates of meritorious service to the members.

Yishawu, who represented Eti-Osa Constituency 02 in the 9th Assembly, commended Speaker Obasa for appreciating the effort of members, saying this would spur them to further commit themselves to serving their constituents and give Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa the necessary support in the 10th Assembly.

“As one of the lawmakers who received certificates of meritorious service from my Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, I say thank you to him and also my constituents for the opportunity to serve. This is a further call to service in the 10th Assembly and support for Rt.Hon. Obasa in the discharge of our legislative duties to our constituents and Lagos State at large, through passage of robust laws, resolutions and meticulous oversight.

“Mr Speaker said in his speech that the House in the 9th Assembly passed 46 bills, and over 120 resolutions which, in turn, affected the lives of Lagosians positively. We need to commend his effort. I pray God grant him the wisdom to lead the House in the 10th Assembly,” Engr. Yishawu said.

The returning lawmaker commended Obasa for his experience, capacity, capability and exceptional leadership qualities with which he has managed the affairs of the House over the years, saying that Mr. Speaker is the man for the job in the 10th Assembly.

“I have always maintained that as long as Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa is interested in the Speakership office in the 10th Assembly, he will have my unalloyed support. The position of Speaker like that of other Legislators has no term limit as of now. Moreso, the more experienced a Speaker is, the better he is at the job, the more productive the house is and the more the interest of the State is served.”

On speculations making the round about jostling among members-elect for the position of Speaker in the 10th Assembly, Yishawu said that speculations are not unusual in the democratic space. But he said that what is of paramount interest for him is the welfare of the residents of Eti-Osa Constituency 02, and by extension the people of Lagos.

His position is that, “political aspiration must be pursued with tact and wisdom in the interest of all, especially where the position in consideration is one that is first among equals. For boldness to achieve results, it must be exercised with wisdom and not founded on wrong presumptions. Wisdom is about understanding that loyalty is a virtue that must not be traded away for momentary gains. Boldness, for me, is about being courageous in the discharge of legislative responsibilities with the objective of improving the quality of lives of the people.”

He maintains his resolve that “the interest of my people and the Assembly is better served by the return of Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa as Speaker of the 10th Assembly. I will give him the necessary support in the next Assembly and I pray that Almighty Allah will bestow on him the wisdom he needs to continue to direct and lead us.”

Yishawu also prayed for the departed colleagues in the 9th Assembly. “Those who lost their lives in the course of serving the people will be forever remembered”, he added.