When the Kwara State House of Assembly was inaugurated on June 8, 2015, the people of the state had high hopes of a legislative arm of government that would function effectively, efficiently and work independently as enshrined in the nation's constitution. The people's expectations were borne out of their belief that an efficient legislature would go a long way in bringing about good governance by keeping the executive arm of the government on its toes.

The expectations were for the lawmakers to focus especially on enactment of good laws and as well conduct thorough oversight functions. However, in achieving these objectives, the lawmakers, it was expected, would first elect officers among themselves who would lead the House and its committees on various issues of governance.

Consequently, the member representing Ilorin South Constituency, Dr. Ali Ahmad, was elected Speaker alongside his deputy and other Principal Officers, all of whom were elected immediately after the 8th Assembly was inaugurated. In his acceptance speech, Ahmad reminded his colleagues of the daunting task ahead. He said as representatives of the people who share their aspirations and pains, they must be creative in finding short and long term solutions to the people's plight.

He pledged the legislature's readiness and eagerness to work with the executive in ensuring protection of life and property of all the people of Kwara and most importantly, ensure their welfare and economic well-being. He noted that though the 8th Assembly was unique, as all members were elected on the ticket of one party, this uniqueness came with its own challenge of complacency, apathetic toleration and laid back attitude.

Ahmad advised members to avoid negative drawback of consensus, pointing out that their own version of consensus must mean that they are united in ensuring transparency and that there is no dissent in achieving the goal of accountability and good governance.

The Speaker assured Kwarans that the lawmakers would carry out their legislative assignments appropriately including oversight functions with thoroughness and dedication in order to ensure that their people are proud of them. He reminded the legislators of the need to strive to surpass the feat recorded by the 7th Assembly as one of the most vibrant in the country, adding that the "8th Assembly too shall not only maintain the tempo but will leave the House better than we met it."

The Kwara House of Assembly has in the last legislative year proven that it is capable of delivering on its mandate. This is manifest in the activities the House has engaged in vis a vis several but important motions moved by members, resolutions passed by the House and bills debated on; all of which have come to define the 8th Assembly. Undoubtedly, the House has in the last one year demonstrated its eagerness to make lives better for Kwarans in spite of several challenges facing the state.

the fact that the 8th Assembly has a huge number of new legislators, with only six returnees, it has been able to carry out with its activities adequately with the experiences of the returning lawmakers. Als, of great assistance to the successes recorded in the last legislative year were the training workshops organised for members to get them acquainted with the nitty-gritty of law-making business. This has in no small way helped them in performing their legislative functions efficiently.

It is noteworthy to state that the 8th Assembly in the last one year received 9 Bills, namely, Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill, 2015; Revised Appropriation Bill, 2015, Kwara State Waste Management Agency Bill, Appropriation Bill, 2016, Abubakar Sola Saraki (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Kwara State Revenue Administration (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Kwara State Revenue Court (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Kwara State Land Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Secret Cult and Secret Societies in Kwara State (Prohibition) Bill, 2016 respectively. Out of the 9 Bills, 6 have been passed into law with three already assented to by the governor. Similarly, 40 motions were resolved while 13 reports were completed. The Motions were from Matters of General Public Importance and various Petitions from the Public during the period.

Meanwhile, the Speaker's assurance in his acceptance speech that the House would not cease to do the right thing in spite of the fact that it has no single opposition member has always come to the fore in the floor. Also, the assumption especially from the opposition that the 8th Assembly might lack robust debates on issues brought to the floor has since been defeated and as such proved wrong.

Little wonder, the House since its inauguration, has on daily basis, garnered more recognition. It has come to be associated with by Kwarans as the voice of the voiceless. The House never ceases to conduct public hearings on issues affecting the generality of Kwarans. One of the many achievements recorded during the legislative year was the step taken by the Kwara State House of Assembly to encourage its counterpart, the Niger State House of Assembly to call the federal government's attention to the abandoned reconstruction of the Ilorin-Jebba road project.

It would be recalled that the ever busy road has become a death trap for its users while several lives and property have been lost as a result of the dilapidated state of the road.

The move, however, became a reality as both Houses met at a spot along the road and passed a resolution to urge the federal government to as a matter of urgency, come to the people's plight. Not long after that move, the Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) paid an inspection visit to the road while work subsequently commenced on the abandoned road. Presently, the contractor handling the project has covered several kilometres and the road users continuously express appreciation for the lawmakers' action.

Worthy of mention is the approach adopted while considering the state's 2016 budget. Every detail was scrutinised during budget defence and each sector was invited to defend the fund allocated in the appropriation. It was a clear departure from the way budget was done before now as the Speaker personally attended virtually every session and contributed effectively in the defence. The House ensured that only projects that are realisable are in the budget to ensure prompt implementation. Equally, the House embarked on curbing proliferation of filling stations in residential areas in the nooks and cranny of the state which has hitherto become very worrisome to the citizens.

Prior to the House's intervention, investors willingly purchased plots of land and built filling stations wherever they deemed fit for their business, not minding the effect having such ventures in residential areas would have on the people. The House in the course of the assignment closed several filling stations sited in areas not suitable.

Another feat recorded during the last legislative year was beefing up of the Information Unit at the Assembly. The development has had tremendous improvement in the sittings' reportage while the public is now more acquainted with day-to-day happenings in the House of Assembly while the feed backs are acted on appropriately.