NAN – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has constituted an Ad Hoc Committee on Welfare, to take care of members’ needs.
Naming the committee was Mr. Dogara’s second official decision since his election Tuesday. He had earlier named Jerry Manwe his Chief of Staff.
His office said the appointment was in line with the House Rules.
The committee is expected to take care of members’ accommodation in Abuja, transportation and pay.
In a statement by Mr. Manwe, the speaker said the new committee would be chaired by Nasiru Ila, while Igbinedion Omosede would serve as Deputy.
Members of the committee include Sam Onuigbo, Namdas Sa’ad, Emmanuel Akpan, Eucheria Anazodo, Haliru Jika, Daniel Ofongo, Adamu Entonu.
Others are Ayuba Bello, Edim Mbora, Onyemaechi Mrakpor, Lazarus Ogbee, Ayodele Oladimeji, Toby Okechukwu, Zakari Angulu, Ali Isa and Chukwukere Ikechukwu.
The list of members also included Saidu Miga, Sunday Katung, Sani Mohammed, Ahmed Dayyabu, Mohammed Jega, Ajanah Kabir, Funke Adedoyin and Rita Orji.
Some others are Musa Onwana, Mahmood Agai, Segun Williams, Mayowa Akinfolarin, Ajibola Famurewa, Olasupo Adeola, Edward Gyang, Gogo Bright and Isa Bashar.
The committee also includes Danladi Baido, Ya’u Galadima and Abubakar Husseini.
Members of the Committee were drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Separately, Mr. Dogara has urged members of the 8th Assembly to work in the interest of Nigerians to enhance better democracy.
Mr. Dogara made the call while speaking with members of Zamfara House of Assembly, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
He said “we cannot afford to run the affairs of this House on the basis of those who supported me or those who voted against me.
“Whatever it is, God has given us the leadership and we have to use the opportunity presented by the outcome of the election to unify the House.
“Beyond the election, we also owe Nigerians a duty to serve them well because they sent us here. They are supposed to be the first beneficiaries of our representation and not we the lawmakers.
“If we decide to work just for ourselves, we will not be seen to have justified the representation we were sent here for.’’
The Speaker said that members should always talk on issues that bother Nigerians.
He said issues of unemployment, infrastructure decay, failing roads, agriculture among other challenges must be dealt with first by the lawmakers before consideration for any other thing.
“When we do that, we will have justified the offering of effective representation which will improve the reputation of the House in the eyes of the public.
“We belong to a party that is dear to us and we cannot afford to fail”.
Mr. Dogara said Nigerians are ready to hold members accountable as legislators, “so, let us be united and work for the interest of the nation”.
