- As Senate pays last respect to late federal lawmaker
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), National Headquarters, has honoured Late Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim (PhD), with the posthumous Award of Excellence, in Abuja.
The prestigious award was bestowed on the late lawmaker in recognition of his exceptional philanthropic disposition and the legacy of a life well spent in service to his community and the nation.
Prof. Muritala Awodun and one of the late Senator’s sons, Bilal Ibrahim, were present to receive the award at the ceremony held on Tuesday, May 07, 2024, at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.
Presenting the national posthumous award, Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, the National Chairman, of PCRC, said the posthumous award is a testament to his enduring commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Olaniyan said although Senator Rafiu Ibrahim is no longer alive, he noted that his impact and contributions continue to be celebrated and remembered.
Senate honours late colleague
In the same vein, the Nigeria Senate has also honoured the late Senator, Dr. Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, who represented the people of Kwara South in the Abubakar Bukola Saraki led 8th Nigerian Senate.
The last respect by the lawmakers followed a motion raised by the Senator representing Kwara South, Lola Ashiru on the floor of the house.
The Red Chamber led by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio observed a minute silence in honour of the departed and prayed for the repose of his soul.
The leadership of the Senate also directed that the chamber pay a condolence visit to his family.
Senators described the late Ibrahim as a brilliant legislator and reformed politician who was committed to the development and well-being of his constituency, Kwara, and Nigeria.
Late Rafiu Ibrahim served as the Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions where two of his major bills helped Nigeria move upwards on the ease of doing business ranking.
The bills also earned the late Senator a Presidential Award of Excellence by the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in 2017 as a Reform Champion.
Political and Legislative Journey
The late Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim was an Honourable Member Representing Oke-Ogun Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly; from May 2009 to June 2011.
In 2011, he was elected as a Member of, the 7th Assembly, Federal House of Representatives; and served from May 2011 to May 2015.
In 2015, he contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and was elected as a Member of, the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; from May 2015 to May 2019.
At the 8th National Assembly, he was the Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions from June 2015 to June 2019 where he performed exceptionally.
Late Sen Rafiu Ibrahim personally sponsored two legislative bills signed into law by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration namely:
- The Credit Bureau Reporting Bill 2017; and
- The Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act (Amendment) Bill 2016.
He also sponsored many bills in the 8th Senate including the following few:
o Mortgage Institutions and Allied Matters Act (Amendment) Bill 2018
o Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (Repeal & Re-Enactment) Bill, 2018
o Nigeria Trade and Competition (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015
o NDIC Act 2006 (Amendment) Bill 2018
- Senator Rafiu was a member of the national team that improved Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business Index by 24 (145th from 169th) places in 2017 with the specific Getting Credit index moving by 44 places.
Being a Reform Champion, he was given the IMPACT Award by the Presidential Enabling Environment Council (PEBEC) in 2017 in recognition of his contributions to the 2016-2017 Ease of Doing Business reforms.
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