The immediate past member representing Etinan/ Nsit Ibom/ Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency, Mr Onofiok Luke on Wednesday participated in the valedictory sitting of the 9th House of Representatives, where he served the people of his Federal Constituency from 9 June 2019 to 7 June 2023.
Luke, in his speech on the floor of the House, thanked God Almighty that had been his guide and help in the last 4 years. “Four years ago, we gathered in this hallowed Chambers as strangers. The journey of four years has led us to making new friends, brothers, sisters in this hallowed Chambers and relationships that will last us a life time. “
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the people of my Federal Constituency for giving me the mandate to be their voice in this hallowed Chambers.”
“I appreciate the leadership of the National Assembly, starting from you, Mr Speaker. You gave first timers the opportunity to express themselves, “Luke said.
He commended the speaker for giving new members the opportunity to bring the yearnings and aspirations of their people to the front of national discourse. Luke also thanked the entire leadership, clerk, management staff, and the press for amplifying the work they did in the House of Representatives.
He lauded Mr Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, for always putting the country first above his political party. He recounted the position taken by Mr Speaker in the wake of the EndSars crisis where Mr Gbajabiamila threatened not to sign off the budget if there was no provision made for compensation of victims of police brutality.
The lawmaker also thanked the speaker and the leadership of the house for finding him worthy to serve. ” You gave me the responsibility and the entire leadership as Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary. I want to thank all members of my committee for the work we’ve been able to do, “Luke said.
The immediate past chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, seized the opportunity to make a case for the welfare of judicial officers. According to him; “The judicial officers in this country are still wallowing in their poor living condition. The last salary review for judicial officers in this country was about 14 years ago. And every effort at increasing the salaries of Judges has ended in futility. ” He added that there was an urgent need to address the situation.
In his closing remarks, Luke thanked his mother, his wife for being a good support system, his siblings, support base, and immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel.