Sir: She says it as it is – point blank, and musters the political will to walk the talk. That is based, of course on well thought out, articulated and unimpeachable facts and figures on the subject at hand, far above base or primordial sentiments.

Good enough, she has placed her personal philosophy above self-serving antics. Characteristically, she is compelled more so, if the critical issue at hand, which she is concerned about is to advance the democratic ethic of people’s interest, not minding whose ox is gored. But why, you might ask?

Put simply, all these factors fall in sync with the typical attributes of the well-bred Ihima-born icons of morality; weaned on the milk ingredients of courage, character, candour and compassion.  Unlike many members of the political elite, her driving passion is that of the national interest; to put a smile on the faces of the long-suffering Nigerian masses; still stewing in the pitiable paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty natural resources.

One is talking about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who within months of being sworn in as the senator representing Kogi State Central Senatorial District and the first female senator from the Confluence State, has started to make her mark in the ever-challenging legislative process.

For instance, she hit the nail on its head, with the clarion call for the host communities of solid mineral mining to maximally benefit from the revenue accruing from the operations. And this is because they are vulnerable to the vagaries of environmental degradation, the attendant diseases and sometimes the challenge of insecurity.

Furthermore, as the chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content,  Natasha has also urged the Federal Government to allow 100 per cent of local manufacturing of military kits to generate revenue for the country. This comes a year after the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission hinted that the country would start local production of uniforms for its military and paramilitary personnel from January 2023.

Put in her words: “My question is, where do you acquire the uniforms? Are they locally produced or imported? Kindly draw my attention to the budgetary provision for that, how much is being budgeted and whether they are manufactured hundred per cent in Nigeria.

“I am speaking as the chairman of the Local Content Committee. It’s my greatest desire to see that our local industries are being utilised in the manufacturing of boots and uniforms.”

Without mincing words, she urged the Federal Government to situate the manufacturing industries in Kogi Central, adding that Ebiras are well known for their cloth-weaving skills, which in turn will help keep jobs local and also generate revenue for the country in the long run. She also recommended situating a barrack facility in Kogi Central to improve the security situation in the region and its environs. Indeed, these are commendable contributions to the lawmaking matrix in the country. But there has been more to come.

With Natasha’s ever socio-economic and political influence soaring to the global stage, one cannot but urge her to keep the flag of patriotism, total commitment to service to humanity and selfless leadership flying higher.

As Melinda Gates rightly noted: “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” All said, we thank God and the good people of Kogi Central Senatorial District to have found such a rare gem in Natasha. We wish her all the best.