Often times, we are quick to label first timers to the House as those who may not have the capacity to exhibit political maturity until they have spent some time when their legislative ingenuity may surface. For many however, it may be time to learn the ropes in the first tenure, but woe betide him or her if the constituents or party does not give him another tenure or platform after.
However, in some cases, there are first time legislators who come out smoking from the first day when they are given the opportunity to represent a constituency. Such politicians have driven the process of legislation as if they had been in the business for God knows how long.
On a serious note, the business of legislation is as tasking as it is rigorous; and only the serious minded should be brought on board. This does not in any way demean all those who may have put in their best over time, yet are not given the time to exhibit their capacities to proper use; even by their constituents who, at most times don’t create the room for them to perform.
Hon Daniel Nanbol Listick, for starters, is a first timer representing Langtang North Central and comes to the Assembly with a rich background as a first class Laboratory Scientist and masters to boot, and with a bias in Chemical Pathology. He has been engaged before now into several health related work for about seventeen years. His verse experience in public health and health systems strengthening have no doubt elevated his degree of attention to health matters. He replaced Hon Amos Kumtul in the ninth Assembly.
During a visit of a coalition group of the Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) to the House, the Speaker paid glowing tributes to the representatives of the people of Langtang North Central in the House of Assembly saying he was an asset to cherish. He said if there was any office to be added to his responsibility as chairman, House Committee on Health, he deserves to be saddled with the responsibility of ‘Chairman on Humanity’; having demonstrated beyond human comprehension that he would be available to service so long as people were involved.
It is for such implicit demonstration of capacity that he was, together with the House Speaker, Hon Naanlong Gapyi Daniel; Hon Esther Simi Dusu recently decorated as champions and advocates of family planning control and reproductive health system in the state by the Voice for Family Planning and Reproductive Health Center (VFPRHC).
No nation survives with a population that is not planned; for it is in planning that we get stability and are able to allocate resources for our development. Yet in this, I shudder to think of the amount of advocacy needed to get this off the ground, having had certain contestations from a number of quarters about the efficacy of such a policy in our society.
While others may condemn it, it has been of tremendous development implication in saner climes. He was, by all intend and purposes chosen rightly, himself having played critical roles in studies and practically as a health professional, whose antecedents are not misplaced and indeed not in doubt. Several communities in a number of states have continued to benefit from his contributions first as a scientist, civil society activist and indeed as a politician.
No wonder, it is as a result of these contributions that the Speaker wouldn’t hide his admiration for the dexterity of the Reak-Bwarat district born lawmaker. If he was praised for ensuring that he kept the momentum high, it came as a result of the numerous bills that have been presented on the floor of the House.
But they did not come from the blues; they are a product of painstaking research often undertaken by him for the benefit of the state. It is a confirmation of what the Speaker, Rt Hon Abok Ayuba Nuhu had said of Hon Daniel Nanbol Listick. If there are representatives who can give visibility to the House, it will be correct to insist that the quality of work that goes into the bills that are churned out will help fast-track the development of the state and more importantly deepen democracy.
We are at that stage now, thanks to what we have heard of such representatives. It is one of the reasons which prompted the WRAPA coalition to visit the House to appreciate their interest in establishment of a Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission in the state, for which will soon be a thing of the past. We are aware that despite constitutional provisions and other regional and international commitments; many African countries, Nigeria not left out; the rights of women and girls are grossly violated. It will be a thing of joy that Plateau State after several years of struggle which translated to the law being passed on May 12, 2015, and assented May 26, 2015. The state awaits the establishment of the Commission.
The coalition had come to the House to express their gratitude for the role its members played in ensuring the implementation of the Gender Opportunity Act in the state; an idea which time is long overdue if we are to create the enabling environment for societal integration here. Truth is that the House has shown tremendous interest in mitigating the increasing number of gender-based violence and rape cases on minors and women generally.
Against this background and considering the fight against these issues that members of the House have shown, it was about time the state got rid of such. And truly so, the commitment is displayed in the remarks of the Hon member and chairman of the House Health Committee who revealed that the Speaker has remained consistent in driving the process for laws that make the state primarily its center of attention. You may conclude that they are all from the state; therefore they should stand for the state always, but if they do not rise up to the challenge, they may remain largely on our lips.
Having worked in the public service and with international non-governmental organizations such as AFN, EU, GAVI, MSH, UKAID-DfID, UNICEF, USAID and the World Bank among many others, such experience have opened him to the challenges the people of Nigeria face concerning their health. It is reason why many who may have seen or heard him during plenary have said that his presentations concerning health issues and others are done with the dexterity of a man who is versed as well as ‘excellent skills in applications of parliamentary’ understanding of ‘protocol and standing orders’.
He has indeed demonstrated skills, knowledge and understanding of health system strengthening using the world health organization building blocks to facilitate sponsoring of bills and moving of motions that are improving implementation of National Health Act, 2014; Basic Health Care Provision Fund Reviewed Guideline, 2020; National Strategic Health Development Plan II and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (all targets). According to the records the bills include: A bill for a law to establish the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (DMCMA) and Other Matters connected, 2020 (passed)
A bill for a law to provide for the Establishment of Plateau State Health Management Information System and for Other Matters Connected 2020 (passed)
A bill for a law to establish the Plateau State Blood Service Commission for the coordination, regulation, assessment of blood donors, blood and blood products banking, administration and ethics of dealing in blood for human-medical use and for related matters, 2020 (second reading and public hearing conducted).
A bill for a law to establish the Plateau State Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) Board and for Other Matters Connected, 2020 (second reading and public hearing conducted).
A bill for a law to provide funds and guidelines for approved faith based health institutions in Plateau State and Other Matters Connected, 2020 (second reading and public hearing conducted).
A bill for a law to establish the Plateau State Social Protection Unit and for Other Matters Connected, 2020 (second reading and public hearing conducted).
A bill for a law to Provide Guidelines and Regulation of Community Development Associations and Related Civil Society Organizations in Plateau State and for Other Matters Connected, 2020 (second reading and public hearing conducted).
A bill for a law to Provide for Plateau State Highly Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Management and for Related Matters Connected thereto, 2020 (first reading) and lastly, a bill for a law to Provide for the Establishment of Plateau State Infectious Diseases Hospital and for Other Matters Connected Thereto, 2020 (first reading).
There is something perhaps not known of him; and which he has used to his advantage: His marriage to Helen, who is also a health professional has stabilized the home front, which he often returns to after the hassles of politicking to meet with three children, Nimbyen Deborah, Timbyen Hadassah and Hanbyen Jemimah. But above all is his faith and commitment to serving God.
That is so, as over the years, he has been a member of the Men’s Fellowship in the Church of Christ in All Nations, Full Gospel Business Fellowship International, member of Alumni Fellowship of Christian Students-Vom chapter, Boys’ Brigade among other disciplined associations have helped sharpened his world view and about relating with people; and rightly helping to drive the process for people-oriented laws.
0 Comments
Post a Comment