An ideal democracy thrives with quality representation of the people at all levels of government. It is reflected through the level of interaction in the representations and the electorate as well as the impact the legislature has on the quality of life of the people.
In representatives democracy all over the world where democratic government is obtainable, the feelings, desires and needs of the people are transmitted to the executive through elected representatives. Elected representatives are most often men and women with proven integrity and who have the interest of the masses at heart.
Qualitative representation rise above the capacity to move motions on the floor of the house. It is about your connection and linkage with the grass roots, attracting life-changing projects to constituencies.
If you ask an average Nigerian, most would agree that they have little in common with their elected representatives.The first difference between elected representatives and the electorate that comes to mind is the significant wealth disparity.
Honourable Festus Adefiranye has shown over time that he’s a man that has risen above pettiness. His mindset about legislative activities is to seek to use the legislative process to create a better quality of life for all citizens.
On Friday December 1st , 2023, the lawmaker representing Ile-Oluji Oke-Igbo/ Odigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Festus Adefiranye was conferred with award of excellence for quality representation in 2023 by the prestigious Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State chapter at the climax of the 2023 press week.
The former whip in the Ondo State House of Assembly was conferred with the award owing to his quality representation.
The NUJ Chairman in the State, Prince Leke Adegbite, while presenting him the award plaque said, Hon. Adefiranye, like other awardees, was carefully selected because he has proven his mettle in the few months he represented his constituency and Ondo State at the lower chamber.
On the 25th day of October, 2023, Adefiranye sponsored the Federal College Of Nursing and Midwifery, Oke Igbo, Ondo state establishment Bill. The Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery Bill seeks to establish a school of Nursing and Midwifery in Oke Igbo, Ondo State is to prepare competent, skilled, versatile and independent midwifes, capable of providing high level health care to individuals and expectant families in their homes, communities, hospitals, rural and urban health centers of the society, for optimal infant, maternal, family and societal. The bill has scaled through the first reading, and will any moment from now, it will be placed for second reading.
The second reading is the stage where the bill’s general merits and principles are debated. If the bill is read the second time, the House is deemed to have approved the bill in principle.
The people of Ile Oluji Oke Igbo/ Odigbo federal constituency shall experience a rapid transformation in the socio economic activities of that area.
Adefiranye continues to make the people centre of his services instead of himself. A real value addition to his constituents and the green chamber.
Sola Olajide writes from Abuja