Ex-Senate President commends HallowMace Foundation Africa for recognising performing lawmakers for award

Former President of the Nigerian Senate, Ameh Ebute has commended the Hallowmace Foundation for the recognition of legislators who are committed to their legislative responsibilities.

Speaking at the National Legislators Award 2026, Senator Ebute identified three category of lawmakers as “docile, participatory and active and opposition lawmakers.

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He said, the award by the Hallowmace Foundation for the deserving lawmakers was in line with democractic ideals as it goes to encourage and spuring into greater performance.

He said: “In my view, there are three broad categories of legislators.

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“The first are the docile legislators. These are lawmakers who spend their entire tenure without making meaningful contributions to debates, lawmaking or oversight. They occupy seats but leave little or no legislative impact.

“The second are the participatory and active legislators. These are committed lawmakers who actively sponsor bills, contribute to debates, perform oversight responsibilities and work diligently to make laws that improve the lives of the people. They are the true drivers of legislative progress.

“The third category comprises opposition legislators who oppose virtually every government policy, sometimes more to satisfy political interests than to advance national development.

Ebute who chaired tue ocassion highlighted the importance legislature such that it was placed as first before the executive and the judiciary.

“The legislature is an indispensable arm of government. This is clearly recognised by the framers of the 1999 Constitution, where the legislature is placed first under Section 4, ahead of the Executive and the Judiciary, which are provided for under Sections 5 and 6 respectively. This constitutional arrangement underscores the importance of the legislature in our democratic system.

“Ideally, the National Assembly represents the entire population of Nigeria through elected Senators and Members of the House of Representatives.

“Although every citizen cannot physically sit in the legislature, the elected lawmakers are expected to speak and act on behalf of all Nigerians.

“It is therefore expected that they will promote good governance and uphold the interests of the people.”

“I believe that the organisers of this event, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, had the second category of legislators in mind when instituting these awards.

“These are the lawmakers whose dedication, hard work and service truly deserve recognition.

“Whether a government succeeds or fails depends, to a large extent, on the quality and performance of its legislature.

“A vibrant and responsible legislature is essential to national development.

“I therefore commend HallowMace Foundation Africa and the National Orientation Agency for investing their time and resources in identifying and honouring deserving legislators.

“The selection process is never easy, and I applaud the organisers for their commitment to rewarding excellence.”

He congratulated recipients, and encourage them to continue to offer selfless service and nation-building.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director and CEO of Hallowmace Foundation Africa, Ambassador Anderson Osiebe, lauded the incumbent President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio for championing a responsible Senate that has become the pride of Nigerians.

In what he titled, “Where a Decade of Advocacy Meets a Night of Excellence”, Mr Osiebe said the award was a convergence of vision, excellence, and democratic accountability, given the well accomplished lawmakers and othrr distinguished Nigerians that were nominated.

“Our theme tonight captures the very essence of this occasion.

“It marks the intersection of ten years of unwavering commitment to legislative advocacy and a night dedicated to celebrating those who have exemplified parliamentary excellence.

“For a decade, we have labored in the trenches of democratic governance, advocating, engaging, and demanding accountability.

“Tonight, we pause to honor the fruits of that labor and the leaders who have answered the call to service with distinction.

Exactly ten years ago, the HallowMace concept was born. What began as a vision has grown into a foremost organization dedicated to the advancement of democracy, good governance, and accountable legislation across the continent. For ten uninterrupted years, HallowMace Africa has remained committed to one mission: strengthening democracy and the legislature, recognizing performance, and rewarding impact.

“Through our annual legislative conferences, policy advocacy, and relentless engagement with parliamentary institutions, we have contributed to shaping the discourse on legislative excellence in Nigeria. Today, as we mark this milestone, we celebrate not just our journey but the collective progress we have made in strengthening the very foundations of our democracy.

“To our awardees tonight, I say: this recognition is not an endpoint but a call to greater service.

“It is a testament to the trust reposed in you and an invitation to continue raising the bar of legislative excellence.”

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