The lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday took turns to pour encomiums on Sen. Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party, for the opportunity to serve.
The lawmakers also eulogised the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa and the Lagos East Senator-elect, Mr Bayo Osinowo (APC-Kosofe I), for their leadership roles, guidance and sacrifices.
The 8th Assembly, inaugurated on June 8, 2015, held its Special Valedictory Session on Thursday and members, especially those who will not return for the 9th Assembly could not hold their emotions during the session.
Blazing the trail, Mr Tunde Braimoh (APC-Kosofe II), who reeled out several achievements of the House, the Speaker and Osinowo at the Assembly, said that the House was excellent, remarkable and assiduous in discharging its responsibilities.
Braimoh, who noted that the 8th Assembly sat for 216 times, passed 43 bills and over 200 resolutions, said that the House had earned itself several recognitions and respect under Obasa’s leadership.
The lawmaker said that the assembly had delivered its constitutional roles and functions and that Obasa’s legislative and leadership achievement had earned him various honours, awards and titles.
Also speaking, Mr Yinka Ogundimu (APC-Agege II), who also thanked Tinubu, added that Obasa and the entire House had worked together to sustain the excellence the Assembly was known for.
Ogundimu said that Obasa’s leadership ability was distinct in managing all lawmakers and that the House had achieved a lot.
Mr Abiodun Tobun (APC-Epe I) said: “I want to thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the leadership of our party for giving me the opportunity to serve.
“I appreciate the Speaker and the principal officers for leading the House well, the Speaker has been doing it perfectly. I know that the 9th Assembly will be better than the 8th.”
Mr Oladele Adekanye (APC-Lagos Mainland), a first-term lawmaker, who would not be returning for the 9th Assembly said: “I have made up my mind not to be too emotional. I feel fulfilled having had the opportunity to come here.
“I thank Mr Speaker. I thank Asiwaju Tinubu for what he has done in my life. He (Tinubu) has never left me at any time. I will never forget him.
Also, Mr Segun Olulade (APC-Epe II), a second-term lawmaker, who would not be returning for the 9th assembly commended Epe people, Tinubu and the leadership of the party for the opportunity to serve.
Olulade said: “I did my best, I served my people of Epe Constituency II and Lagos State. I thank God for all I have been able to do in legislature and oversight function. I thank correspondents of the House (LAHACA).
“Mr Speaker, I give it to you, you have done so well and have given prestige to the office of the Speaker. I thank Hon. Bayo Osinowo for his forgiving spirit and leadership qualities.”
Mr Sola Giwa (APC-Lagos Island II), a first-term lawmaker, who would not be returning, raised so much emotions on the floor with his exit from the House, said that he was misunderstood for a long time by the Speaker.
Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (APC-Mushin I), a fourth-term lawmaker, who bade the House farewell in an emotional way, urged female lawmakers in the 9th Assembly to enact a law prohibiting female genital mutilation.
The Majority Leader, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, who said that the House had done very well but could have done better if some members had not been creating friction by gossiping and telling the Speaker lies about other members.
Agunbiade said: “Some people thought the only way to create relevance is to create problem where there is none. We should not create unnecessary friction in the House. Some of us are professionals in `fabrication’ of lies. We must be careful of this in the 9th Assembly.”
Other lawmakers, Victor Akande (APC-Ojo I), Desmond Elliot (APC- Surelere I), Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa I), Rotimi Olowo (APC-Somolu I), Mr Adedamola Kasunmu (Ikeja II) among others, expressed gratitude to Tinubu, Obasa, Osinowo and APC.
The lawmakers, who sought forgiveness from one another, equally mourned one of them, Mr Kazeem Alimi (Eti-Osa I), who died in 2017.
Meanwhile, the House read for the third time and passed into law, Urban and Regional Planning and Development Amendment Bill 2018.
