Be honourable, not horrible, Lumumba tells N’Assembly members, Buhari laments perception of lawmakers as money mongers

Renowned Pan-Africanist, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba has admonished members of the National Assembly to eschew selfish interests and render selfless service to Nigerians.

The erudite Kenyan scholar, who spoke at the launch of the Green Chamber Magazine in the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, said it behooves the legislators to live up to their responsibility of ensuring good governance in the country.

Evoking memories of Nigeria’s founding fathers-Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and Tafawa Balewa and the roles they played, he said it was unfortunate that the role of legislators were being misunderstood in Africa.

Applauding the launch of the magazine, he admonished the lawmakers to change the narrative in the discharge of their duties, adding, “Be indeed honourable and not horrible.”

He said, “Today, we live in a continent where many people misunderstand the roles and functions of legislators. We live in a continent where legislators are measured by the number of funerals and weddings they attend and the number of men and women they support on their wedding day.

“And, therefore, we live in a continent where legislators are misunderstood; where they are not called and expected to perform their traditional functions. And that is why the launch of a magazine such as this speaks to the demands of a nation such as Nigeria and I dare say many African countries.

“Today, you have decided to tell your own story, that you may not be misunderstood.

“I read the works of Nnamdi Azikiwe and I listened to Sir Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello and Obafemi Awolowo in those early days. They were as eloquent as they were passionate in telling Nigerians and Africans that leadership is about service. This magazine is an occasion for you to demonstrate to Africa that you are servant-leaders.

“Now that Nigerians and Africans refer to you as honourable members, the question is: Are you honourable members or horrible members? The question as to whether you are honourable members is determined by the service that you render to the people,” he stated.

Speaking, President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed concern over the perception of National Assembly members as a bunch of money mongers, who were only out to satisfy their selfish interests.

President Buhari, who was represented by Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, enjoined the lawmakers to tell their own story rather than rely on others to take charge of their narrative.