U19mm1043 – Isa Mubarak Mohammed
I had the privilege of being part of a special delegation of students who visited the Kaduna State House of Assembly. We were led by the Speaker of the National Association of Social Sciences Students’ ABU Zaria Parliament, Okiti Onucheojo Raphael. As one of the Senators representing the Faculty of Social Science, I was excited to witness the heartbeat of legislative processes in action, not from a textbook or lecture, but right in the Assembly Chambers.
The day began with our arrival at the Assembly Complex, Kaduna. We observed the preparations leading up to the plenary session, from the meticulous set up before the arrival of the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Dahiru Liman, to the formal announcement of his entrance into the Legislative Chamber. I was particularly impressed by the Clerk of the House, Barrister Sakinatu Hassan Idris, whose professionalism as a career Civil Servant and composure as she carried out her duties set a standard for diligence and competence.
During the Thursday plenary session, the House followed the Order Paper for the day, which included:
1. Prayers
2. Approval of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 8th July 2025
3. Messages from the Governor:
At the commencement of business, Notice of the presentation of bills:
a. A Bill for a Law to Establish the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Fund (1st Reading)
b. A Bill for a Law to Establish the Kaduna State Commission for Religious Affairs Law (1st Reading)
Screening and Confirmation: Appointment of Governor’s Nominee as Commissioner and Member for the Kaduna State Executive Council, Ahmed Maiyaki.
4. Order of the Day:
i. A Bill to Establish the Kaduna State Tertiary Institution Regulatory Agency – 2nd Reading.
ii. Motion – The Need to Regulate the Activities of Mental Waste Vendors to ensure environmental sustainability, public health, and compliance with waste management standards.
iii. Presentation of Committee Reports:
Judiciary Committee on Amendment to Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017.
Joint Committee on Business Innovation & Technology and Judiciary on Establishment of Kaduna State Tourism, Museum, Landscape and Recreational Services Board, 2024.
5. Announcements: it was here that the Speaker graciously recognized our presence, asking us to stand for acknowledgment. He playfully inquired if we had learned from the proceedings and which of us would love to be part of the legislature in the future. Naturally, every hand shot up, mine included!
6. Adjournment: By this point, the long session had left us all a little tired and hungry
After the session, we embarked on an educational tour of the Assembly Complex, guided by Alhaji Ibrahim, who gave a brief history of the Kaduna House of Assembly from the Colonial era to date, and explained the roles of each office. We visited historically significant spots, including the office of Lord Frederick Lugard, the fascinating underground tunnels dating back to the colonial era, and the well-stocked legislative library.
The day ended with group photographs, expressions of gratitude, and a sense of fulfillment. Walking out of the Assembly building, I felt a deeper appreciation for the processes that shape governance, and a spark of ambition for public service in the future.