National Assembly to Hold Joint Plenary Celebrating 25 Years of Unbroken Democracy
By Matthew Eloyi
The National Assembly will hold a Joint Plenary on Wednesday to commemorate 25 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria. This announcement was made in a statement jointly signed by the spokespersons of the Senate and House of Representatives, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu and Rep. Akin Rotimi, on Tuesday.
According to the spokespersons, the event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on May 29 in the Green Chamber of the House of Representatives. A series of programmes will mark the event, with highlights including a keynote speech by President Bola Tinubu.
The event will also feature commemorative lectures on the theme: “25 Years of the National Assembly: Lessons & Opportunities.” The lectures will be delivered by notable figures such as Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, former Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Dr. David Mark, former President of the 6th and 7th Senate, and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State.
In addition, the event will include the unveiling, commissioning, and tour of the new National Assembly Library Complex, named the President Bola Tinubu Building.
The statement quoted the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Godswill Akpabio, as saying: “This Silver Jubilee is a testament to the resilience and enduring strength of our democratic institutions. The National Assembly has played a pivotal role in safeguarding our democracy, and this event is a fitting tribute to our shared commitment to the nation’s progress.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating: “The 10th National Assembly places great significance on celebrating our democratic journey. This commemorative sitting underscores our dedication to reflecting on the lessons learned and the opportunities ahead as we continue to serve the Nigerian people.”
Distinguished guests expected to attend the event include the Vice President, Deputy President of the Senate, Deputy Speaker of the House, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff to the President, and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). Other notable dignitaries include the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Clerk to the National Assembly, among others.