BY BODE GBADEBO


“An award is a form of honor, a kind of recognition aimed to felicitate one’s excellent contribution in a chosen field. An award is not only a great prestige or a mark of excellence, but is also a tremendous boost for someone to strive and excel higher and aim for even bigger accomplishments in life.”
The above explanation by the FamousQuote123 underscores the importance and the reason for the strings of awards being bestowed on Senator Dino Melaye in recent times and particularly the one to be bestowed on him this Monday as the ‘Senator of the Year 2017’ by no less an appropriate body – the Senate Press Corps – which is the watchdog of the activities of the Senate and Senators.
Consequently, all roads lead to Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Abuja today, October 9, 2017, where the Voice of Kogi and Jarman Okuta kingdom in Kwara State will be conferred with the prestigious award, which he also won last year 2016.
Before now, Melaye was few days ago honoured with the 7th Diamond Special Recognition Awards Worldwide (Germany Edition) 2017 for his “various shelter, education, charity & empowerment schemes in his community” by Bustline Media UK.
That recognition, which took place outside the shores of the country, came on the heels of other awards from within – ‘Most Resourceful Lawmaker’ and ‘Face of Independence Heroes’ given to Melaye in absentia at different times and locations.
The ‘Most Resourceful Lawmaker’ award was bestowed on Melaye by the Federation of Yoruba Students Union (FOYSU) of the Ahmadu Bello University/Federal College of Education Zaria chapter during the grand finale of the 2017 Oduduwa Day celebrations at their FCE Zaria campus on Sunday, September 24, 2017.
FOYSU had said that Melaye was selected for his “relentless efforts in championing the cause of good governance in the country; contributions to the education sector; and empowerment of Yoruba Students across the country.”
While Melaye bagged the ‘Face of Independence Heroes’ award alongside other prominent Nigerians in commemoration of Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary at an event which took place in Abuja on Monday, October 2, 2017.
The organisers – Face of Independence Agency – through its project director, Catherine Eriom, said the award was carefully given to the “people who have positively impacted the country” and have contributed to Nigeria’s development in one way or the other.
These awards and recognitions both at home and abroad couldn’t have come at a better time than now for one of the most active Senators of the 8th Senate in this 4th Republic.
It therefore suffice to say that the people of Kogi West senatorial district of Kogi State have never had it so good in term of representation since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Had Melaye chose to rest on his laurel or decide to be complacent, the aforementioned laurels or recognitions would not have come at this auspicious time and they will never come at all.
Trust him, there is no complacency in his dictionary. He is always up and doing regarding the task for which he was elected since 2015. He is very vocal on all issues of good governance, anti-coruption and ultimately pro-masses matters on the floor of the Senate and outside the hallowed chamber, hence his target for recognitions.
Love him or hate him for his style, he doesn’t pretend. He says it the way it is no matter whose ox is gored. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most vocal lawmakers in Nigeria today and he is not given to frivolities.
He is the only Senator who has openly rejected the appellation of ‘Distinguished’ with a firm belief that no Senator is distinguished as the legislative protocol demands until all Nigerians are distinguished in their day-to-day living.
The Senate Press Corps couldn’t have make a better decision to honour Melaye along with other Senators today for their outstanding performance as people’s representatives. However, Melaye stands out as Senator of the Year 2017.
With 15 Bills sponsored by him and many Motions to his credit in order to address immediate national challenges, Melaye is surely the lawmaker of the moment and the Poster Boy of the 8th Senate’s crave for good governance in all aspects of our national life.
For instance, the Anti-Jungle Justice Bill 2015 (SB. 109) sponsored by Melaye, which was recently passed into law and awaiting presidential assent, will address the menace of jungle justice in our country today.
Also, the Federal University of Agriculture Kabba (Establishment, etc) Bill 2016 (SB. 402) has already passed the Second Reading stage with a public hearing already conducted and a report by a relevant committee of the Senate is being awaited ahead of the Bill’s Third Reading and eventual passage into law.
This specialised university if established, will increase federal government’s presence in Okun land and Kabba in particular, being the headquarters of Kogi West Senatorial District. These are just to mention but a few of the pro-people Bills sponsored by Melaye so far.
It is therefore natural to give honour to whom it is due and that is what the Senate Press Corps is doing to Melaye for the second time in a row. Kudos to Senator Melaye, a lawmaker par excellence and to the members of the Corps, more ink to their collective pen.