Lagos Speaker names new principal officers, promises cordial relationship with executive

The newly elected first female Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, has named new principal officers for the Assembly during the plenary session which she presided over on Friday.

The Assembly commenced its sitting at exactly 11 am as stipulated in the notice and ended at 11:45 am.

Meranda, accompanied into the chamber by the acting Clerk, Abubakar Taiwo Otun, along with a female sergeant of arms, commenced the business of the day with the re-composition of the principal officers.

This is as a result of the dissolution of all standing committees following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa last Monday.

Meranda announced Temitope Adewale Adeniji (Ifako Constituency 1), as the new majority leader; Sanni Okanlawon (Kosofe Constituency 2), as the new deputy whip; David Setonji (Badagry constituency 2), as the new chief whip and Richard Kasumu (Ikeja constituency 1) as new deputy majority leader.

Delivering a heartfelt, reassuring, and motivational official statement, Meranda set the tone for her tenure, emphasising her vision for a better Lagos.

She appreciated the trust placed in her by her colleagues and the people of Lagos State. She pledged to uphold the principles of transparency and good governance, saying: “Today, we are reminded of the sacred responsibilities that rest on our shoulders as representatives of the good people of Lagos State. We are the guardians of their hopes, dreams, and concerns, and we must justify the faith they have placed in us.”

Meranda emphasised the importance of synergy among the legislative, executive, and judicial arms of government to achieve effective governance and democratic development.

“To deliver the dividends of democracy to Lagosians, we must foster cooperation and mutual respect, ensuring our legislative actions align with the executive’s vision for a better Lagos State.”

Highlighting her administration’s focus, she stated: “We will ensure that irrespective of gender, education, religious or ethnic backgrounds, every Lagos resident is proud to say: ‘I am a Lagosian.’ Our youths and women are pivotal to our development, and we will create opportunities that empower them to achieve their full potential.”

The speaker pledged to prioritise the independence of the Assembly and promote transparency and accountability in governance.

“Our actions will be guided by integrity, fairness, and justice as we strive to strengthen the institution and deliver impactful legislation for the benefit of Lagosians,” she added.

Meranda called for a review of outdated policies and a renewed focus on addressing pressing issues such as healthcare, infrastructure, and economic growth.

She reaffirmed her commitment to robust constituency engagement to ensure that the voices of Lagosians are heard and their concerns addressed.

The speaker concluded her address with a call for unity and collective action, urging her colleagues and all Lagosians to work together towards a brighter future for the state.