The legislature all over the world perform some major functions, which includes making laws, passing of government’s budget and Oversight functions.
Others functions of the Legislature are confirming executive appointments, ratification of treaties, investigating the executive branch, impeachment from office of members of the executive and judiciary and redressing and attending to constituents grievances and needs.
According to Montesquieu in his model “Separation of Powers”, Government is divided into separate branches, each of which has separate and independent powers. Despite the separation, there is fusion of power between the Legislature and the Executive. So the legislature is not totally separated from the Executive.
In the words of Abraham Lincoln “ Legislation and Adjudication must follow and conform to, the progress of society”.
This Philosophy of Government in a Democracy shaped and informed the approach that the Senate Minority Whip and Senator Representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Osita Ngwu took on his arrival at the red chambers of the National Assembly.
His mission and vision was very clear, to do every thing possible to positively change the narrative of his Constituents and the Nation at large. He set out to accomplish this mission through a commitment to endear himself to his colleagues in the Senate by his disarming humility and to constantly bear in mind that he is in the Senate to represent his Constituents.
Being young and smart, he took no time to be active by partaking in the sponsorship of so many life changing bills such as a bill seeking for an act to establish the Health Infrastructure Development Agency. The bill has passed second reading and when passed will help provide a comprehensive framework to guide the planning, financing, construction, maintenance and regulation of healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria.
In his opinion, Senator Ngwu believes that the bill will go a long way in promoting the development and improvement of healthcare infrastructure so as to enhance access to quality healthcare delivery across the Country; knowing that his Constituents more than ever before needs modern healthcare and healthcare facilities.
Despite being a first term Senator, Senator Ngwu, has been very active and consistent in legislative assignments since joining the Senate. He has moved life impacting motions, championing oversight functions; especially in the solid minerals committee where he spare headed before now and partaking actively in inter parliamentary functions.
For instance, it was Senator Ngwu as the former Chairman of Solid Minerals Committee, who moved the motion on the need for a very comprehensive review of the input and output values of the Nigerian mining industry with respect to economic diversification, foreign exchange earnings and social inclusion that will enable our solid minerals earnings to compete with that of the oil sector.
He was instrumental to the motion on the resuscitation of the Local Government System in Nigeria, a motion for the urgent reconstruction of collapsed fly – over bridge on the Enugu – Port – Harcourt express way in Enugu and took to the floor of the Senate the unwarranted shooting of members of the Eke Neighborhood Watch by Military Men. Eke is in Enugu West Senatorial District. This is just to mention but a few.
Senator Ngwu popularly called RG by his admirers (meaning Leader of a Youth Development group, called “Renaissance Group”) has since joining the Senate secured overseas training opportunities for over twenty individuals.
The training program is in China and Australia and it is focused on inclusive growth and poverty reduction.
At the end the program which is in batches, participants are empowered with necessary skills and knowledge to contribute towards the overall development and reduction of poverty in the Senatorial District.
On Education empowerment, Senator Ngwu has been philanthropic as so many students from Enugu West Senatorial District are on scholarship at Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu,. Some are in various other institutions in the Country. He has also been sponsoring quiz competitions for Secondary school students and facilitating indigent students to sit for JAMB. Not forgetting his facilitation and encouragement for them to study in various universities in the country.
The Senator is also known for engaging youths and empowering them with necessary skills which enables them acquire jobs; in both private and public institutions. We won’t forget his youth engagement program through sponsorship of football competitions within the Senatorial District.
Other interventions include attracting of roads, electricity (transformers) schools and water projects in various parts of the Constituency.
The Distinguished Senator in his new approach to Legislative Business has severally engaged in what I termed Diplomatic Shuttle or Legislative Liaison. Example is his recent visit to the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery at the British residence in Nigeria. The visit gave the Senator opportunity to discuss issues surrounding development initiatives in Enugu West, especially as it concerns tapping into the British Support for SDG – centric human capital development and his penchant to promote the interest of Enugu State at every opportunity. On this occasion, he reiterated Governor Peter Mba’s total commitment to a holistic advancement for Enugu State and it’s people. The Senator is also partnering with the Enugu State Government in it’s determination to address the clean water needs of the people.
In the same vein, Distinguished Senator Osita Ngwu was recently at the office of the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim to discuss the rehabilitation of abandoned Youth Development Centers attracted by his predecessor, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu in the Senatorial District.
He argued strongly on the positive impact of the Development Centers when functional with a strong promise from the Minister to collaborate with him to revitalize the Development Centers and also positively engage the Youths in the District and the State.
In fact, the past one year has been positively impactful to Enugu West Constituents, curtesy of the Pragmatic Legislative approach by Senator Osita Ngwu.
Leading to a new slogan in the District whenever they sight Senator Ngwu.
They always proclaim “ Our Senator, Our Pride”.
Little wonder why Daily Asset Newspaper named him “Senator of the Week”
sometime in December, 2023 after an independent investigation and rating of all the 109 Senators and their performances within the period.
By Luke Mgboh
Dr. Luke Mgboh is a Public Affairs Analyst based in Enugu.
