Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, says Remi Tinubu’s punctuality and commitment to legislative duties during her stint in the senate were rewarded by God.
Remi represented Lagos central district in the senate for 12 years — from June 6, 2011, to June 11, 2023. She became Nigeria’s first lady after her husband, Bola Tinubu, won the 2023 presidential election.
Barau spoke on Tuesday during plenary after Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, proposed that the senate begin taking attendance at the end of each sitting to recognise lawmakers who remain in the chamber until adjournment.
TheCable observed that fewer than 50 senators were in the chamber as the senate prepared to adjourn.
Supporting the suggestion, Barau said commitment to legislative work attracts recognition from the senate leadership and God.
“Let me even say one thing, apart from being compensated by colleagues or by the leadership, God also compensates you, rewards you for what you are doing,” he said.
“I will give you a good example. The current first lady, she used to be the number one person, first person that always came to this senate.
“When she was in the senate, the most punctual, very punctual, and she would stay throughout the session.
“She would come here before any other person. So, you see, God has rewarded her with the position of first lady.”
Barau added that lawmakers should approach their legislative responsibilities with seriousness because they were elected to serve Nigerians.
“So not only the leadership, but even God rewards those who are serious with their businesses, who are serious with their representation,” he said.
“Because the representation that you do, you do it on behalf of the people, and have to do it in the best manner possible. Because you are being brought here to serve the people, to serve the entire nation.”
Earlier, Tahir Monguno, senate chief whip, recalled receiving an award for punctuality during his spell in the house of representatives under Yakubu Dogara, then speaker.
Monguno said the recognition contributed to his emergence as chief whip in the subsequent assembly.
The exchange followed Ningi’s proposal that the senate emulate the house of representatives by taking attendance at the end of plenary to identify lawmakers who stay until adjournment and recognise their commitment.
