Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has announced the donation of a 100 million naira to Ekiti State University citing the importance of education as the elixir of survival to any society.

The Senate president made this statement during the 29th convocation ceremony of Ekiti State University where he led 17 other senators to celebrate with the Senate leader Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele who was honoured with a honorary Doctor of law.

Akpabio said investing in education will greatly reduce the rate of crime in the society.

He described Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele as a pillar of the National House of Assembly while commending him for facilitating several federal projects into the state.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Joseph Babalola said the Honorary Degree was bestowed on Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele in recognition of his giant contributions to the university, humanity and the society at large.

According to him the senate leader has demonstrated that he is committed to the growth of the university through the numerous multi million naira project facilitated by him in the university.

Professor Babalola highligted the ongoing building of female hostels, ultra modern stadium and an fm radio station amongst others.

“These and many more are the various projects being financed by the distinguish senator and we cannot but appreciate a man who is selfless in service and character to the people”

In his remarks, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele thanked the University for the honour which he said was the 3rd in 26 months. He maintained that the gesture will further encourage him to do more for the society.

He thanked the Vice Chancellor for the honour as promised to continue to do more for a functional education system in Nigeria.

Senator Micheal also justified the unanimous ratification of the state of emergency slammed on Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the heat of the festering political crisis brewing in the state.

He posited that his colleagues ratified the proclamation in spite of public outcries against it in national interest, and not on the basis of partisanship, or pandering to the whims and caprices of the presidency.

“The National Assembly, had a couple of weeks ago given the state of emergency declared by President Tinubu in Rivers State a clean bill, leading to the suspension of the River State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly, who were the major dramatis personae in the political imbroglio,”he said.

The All Progressives Congress stalwart, assured Nigerians that the Senate under the current leadership of Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, will continually work in collaboration with the executive arm to uplift the nation to an enviable height in all economic spheres.

“A federation that functions for all? Or a federation that relapses into an intractable crisis? We must recognise that emergency rule is an extraordinary measure, and it must be treated as such in the interest of peace and security. As stipulated in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) that the National Assembly is required to provide its details.

“As a responsible and responsive parliament that sees peace and stability as a catalyst of growth and development, we were inaugurated into office to promote a nation that works for all and that guarantees the peaceful coexistence of all.

“This does not suggest we are afraid of criticisms as the foremost democratic institution. We are not and we will never be because we believe democracy naturally thrives on public criticism. But such criticisms must be constructive and well-structured with the intention of providing alternative, credible and patriotic initiatives.

“The reasons for such attacks are purely based on emotion and not reasons; sentiment and not substance. Even more strongly, I believe it is an impetus for the pursuit of greater public good for the greater number of my constituents and Nigerians at large”.

“So, regardless of baseless and needless attacks our critics are throwing at the National Assembly, we are undeterred because we are truly on a rescue mission”, he added.