Dino Melaye: The Making Of A Brand By Reuben Abati

It is a sign of the times, and a tragedy that the most popular Senator in the Nigerian National Assembly at this moment is not the person who has moved the most impactful motion, not a lawmaker who has proposed a thought-provoking bill, and certainly not any Senator who has given any impressive speech debating a matter of national importance. What we get, most of the time, in place of legislative responsibility, prudence, accountability and distinction is burlesque, farce, Japanese-styled Bungaku-Bunraku enactments, a dose of medieval commedia d’ell arte and an enormous supply of Yoruba Alarinjo with a bit of the Akata from Efik and Ibibioland. And the star in this comedy of errors that the Nigerian National Assembly has become is a gentleman called Dino Melaye.  He is the perfect archetype of all that is wrong or right with the Nigerian legislature, a fine representation of contradictory binaries, and a lesson unto the rest of us. 

      I am not condemning Dino Melaye. I am in fact just about to say that we created a man like him, just as before him, we needed a Busari Adelakun, and a Lamidi Adedibu to show us the true character of Nigerian politics. And to those who think Dino Melaye is something of an aberration, I say to them that Dino Melaye is indeed a true picture of Nigerian politics. He is much smarter and far more politically savvy than those who condemn him. His Wikipedia profile announces that his ambition is to be Nigeria’s President someday, may be he won’t become President, but he may suddenly show up in the future as something close to that high office.  He is far more Nigerian than those who criticize or condemn him. He knows the system. He plays the system. He has the capacity to beat the system. Most people who get to the top in Nigeria beat the system, and when they do so, they flaunt their smartness in the people’s face. The pundits write their articles but nothing changes, because a man like Dino Melaye can get a whole Vice Chancellor of a University created under the Act to do his bidding, and a National Assembly to queue up behind him. 

Senate President Mourns The Death Of Senator Awaisu Kuta

Senate President, David Mark, has mourned the death of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character, Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta.

Senator Kuta who represented Niger East Senatorial zone died on Wednesday in Lagos on his way for a medical check-up.

Senator Mark lamented that the cold hands of death has robbed the Senate and indeed the nation of a brilliant, vibrant and result – oriented lawmaker who distinguished himself in all ramifications.

Senator Mark said that the late Senator Kuta was a forefront parliamentarian whose views and positions unarguably represented those of the ordinary Nigerian which was why he was called the comrade Senator on the floor of the Senate.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, also expressed shock and grief over the death of Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta.

Senator Ekweremadu, who described the death as an “incalculable loss to the Senate and the nation”, said late Senator Kuta was a dependable Senator who discharged his responsibilities most creditably and efficiently.

National Assembly Sends 2014 Budget To Presidency

Nigeria’s National Assembly on Tuesday sent the 2014 Appropriation Bill to President Goodluck Jonathan for assent.
The lawmakers had, before going on break for the Easter holiday, passed a budget of 4.695 trillion Naira as against 4.642 trillion Naira proposed by the executive.
They also adopted a benchmark price of $77.50 per barrel of crude oil an increase from $74 per barrel proposed by the executive.
The 2014 budget was presented to the National Assembly by the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Onkonjo-Iweala on behalf of President Jonathan on December 19.