Ola Akinwunmi
In a landmark speech, the newly appointed Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, vowed to uphold the principles of transparency, good governance, and accountability.
Meranda, who made history as the first female Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, emphasized the importance of working harmoniously with other arms of government to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
Speaking at the plenary on Friday, Meranda outlined her vision for the Assembly’s future.
“I declare to work tirelessly to uphold the principles of transparency, good governance, and other noble terms that this noble House stands for,” she said.
“Today, we are reminded of the shared responsibility that rests on our shoulders as representatives of our good people in Lagos State. Elected to give voice to their fair and just hopes, dreams, aspirations, and concerns, we are the guardians of this collective trust, and we must strive to justify the faith they have placed in us.”
“As we begin this new chapter in the history of our Assembly, I want to assure you that our administration will focus on working together for a better legacy.”
“We will work harmoniously with other arms of government to ensure a seamless delivery of democracy to Lagosians, who are our core focus.”
“Therefore, we will work to ensure that irrespective of gender, education, religion, and ethnic background, every Lagos resident is proud to say, ‘I am a Lagosian.'”
“The synergy between us and the other arms of government is crucial for effective governance and democratic development.”
“To achieve this, we must commit to maintaining open lines of communication with the executive, led by Mr. Governor, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect in our relations with one another.”
“By doing so, we can ensure that our legislative actions align with the executive vision for a better state for the good people of Lagos, so that we can leave the state far better than we met it.”
“We will prioritize leaving the past behind and forging ahead. We will not dwell on past controversies or disagreements, but instead focus on the great and pressing tasks ahead, which is delivering better services to the people of Lagos.”
“We will strive to create a more inclusive and participatory democracy where every citizen feels valued, respected, and empowered.”
Meranda also announced the appointment of new principal officers, including Hon. Temitope Adedeji as Majority Leader, Hon. Richard Kasumu as Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Sanni Babatunde as Deputy Chief Whip, and Hon. Sentoji David as Chief Whip.
The Speaker’s pledge comes on the heels of the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was accused of gross misconduct, poor leadership, and financial improprieties. Meranda’s administration is expected to usher in a new era of transparency and accountability in the Lagos Assembly.